trying to figure out how to make a mold...

[schluterdude]

ok, trying to make a new canopy for my heli-star since i can't find any on ebay or the "vintage stores" on the web. i was thinking of using plaster-of-paris to make the mold, but, am unsure about it's drying characteristics and what to use as a mold release agent. i have been considering either making a fiberglass canopy from the mold, or vac. forming it. i understand the concepts of both as far as the manufacturing process once you have the mold, but, the mold is my stumbling point. anyone have any suggestions? i'd just go gung-ho and give it a shot, but, since i can't just go buy another one, i'm kinda edgy about it, know what i mean?

[Dan]

You may be able to make a sand mold with your current canopy. You would make a left and a right just like the vacuumed formed parts that came with the kit. Then make a plaster plug canopy in the sand mold and do your vacuum molding process on the plaster plug.

I did a sand mold search and some pretty good stuff came up. Most of the time sand molds are used for metal because they can stand the heat but that doesn't mean you need to make the plug out of lead.

[vermonster]

I'll keep my eye out...:)

[blax1]

OK I'm on it, Sorry it took me a while to remember where I saw this, awesome home grown thread on archelicobra downunder-----I hope this helps and brings some inspired inspiration......................... :)

http://www.archeli.com.au/cobra/showthread.php?t=117821

[schluterdude]

wow u aussies talk funny on your forums, but, at least you guys have a vintage forum! when are we americans gunna catch up?? we love old stuff! just look at my old Z! my old heli! come on people! give some lovin' to the old birds. the good ones aren't as hard to fly as many make them out to be...

[blax1]

LOL- Thanks, ya I know we go on a bit, but its all good, we just love our heli-s
archelicobra been around a while lots of great people on board that'll help anyone.
The sites getting a re-vamp soon, she's a bit slow, needs a new server and she's off shore in Singapore, soon to becoming home hopefully, that outta get some speed when its all sorted out, hope you enjoyed the site, come along and say G'day anytime..... :)

So did the thread help, I luv the way he made the fuse out of blocks of wood, then ground her back to the required shape then added body filler to fill the gaps..... :cool:

[schluterdude]

the other thread helped a bit, but, i'm unsure as to if he laid the fiberglass directly onto those foam blocks, or made another mould out of that. i'm still kinda freaking out about the possible consequences of if i mess this up. i really don't wanna be without a canopy! maybe i just need to grow a pair...

dan, i checked out the sand casting, and it seemed promising. but, to pack it tight enough, i don't know if i have the lexan retain it's shape or not... man, this sucks!! might be time to look in the yellow pages and see if there's any mould shops around and get some input on this... "damnit jim, i'm a grinder, not a mould maker!!"

[schluterdude]

JACKPOT!!!

http://www.archeli.com.au/cobra/showthread.php?t=111608

this is looking like a very real possibility now... hehehehehehehehehehe!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D

[blax1]

JACKPOT!!!

http://www.archeli.com.au/cobra/showthread.php?t=111608

this is looking like a very real possibility now... hehehehehehehehehehe!!!!!!!! :D :D :D :D
Now your cooking..................

[schluterdude]

hehehe... might be time for a build thread of my own finally! woohoo!

just wish he finished it up to the end of pulling the the final canopy from the mold he made. anyone in the mood to learn with me!? yay or nay!

[blax1]

Mate, sorry I'm putting my hard earned away for another project ;) , BUT I reckon Dan will be up for it, but I wouldn't advise doing it on the billiard table............... :)

[schluterdude]

lol, i don't mean everyone building their own moulds, just hangin' out in the garage with some beer and flamable chemicals!! no pool table for me, don't have room in the apartment for one! probably an old door or something...

[schluterdude]

ok guys, sorry, i'm wussing out for now... i found a guy (listed on those aussie forums again!) who's down in missouri or mississippi who's got heli-star canopies as of next month... so, i'll wait until i have a new one before i potentially wreck this one :(

although, it depends how much he wants to charge for it... :eek:

[Rappy1]

hey there
I remember my mate who was a boat builder use to make his molds from expanding foam. at least that would give you a basic shape to start from then just trim down the foam after. at least this way even in the worst case you not going to damage your shell. next time i see him i will have to ask what he used to stop the fibreglass clinging to the the foam as well as melting.from memory he may have used a tape over the foam then glassed over it. It be a little bit more work required to get a smooth finish. i think it would have to be in a vacum bag . if you just taped up the sides so you could fill the foam into the shell i think it would work fine and reduce the waste material

[SirCrashalot]

leave cheese out in a semi humid area. .. . .mold in a few days no problem :)