Great Dane excavating co.

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by DieselKid

I don't know why I don't visit this thread more often, so much new additions since the last time I checked in!

The dozer, excavator.....everything, just awesome! Especially the scratch-built scissorneck I'm digging that short wheel base Aeromax daycab.....looks perfect!

Keep up the awesome work!

-Alex

Thanks, it's a hobby that is constantly changing from making brass cylinders to programming radios, to now trying to make tires!!! It's a fun ride

[TRUCKMAKER]

Originally Posted by bigford

where's the tire??? you should see half a tire in there

Coop I worked on some of this kind of molding years ago and things have changed big time but I'm with bigford, unless you cut your pattern in half in the tread centerline and its laying cut side face down why aren't we seeing half the tire sticking out of your first mold pour?

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by TRUCKMAKER

Coop I worked on some of this kind of molding years ago and things have changed big time but I'm with bigford, unless you cut your pattern in half in the tread centerline and its laying cut side face down why aren't we seeing half the tire sticking out of your first mold pour?

I guess I was just posting progress pics

This is the first half of mold poured last night. Have to let first half cure before second half gets poured. I should have taken a picture of the clay base. In the first pic the mold box has 3/4" of clay the tire is resting on. Then clay up the sides to centerline of tread pattern. Also why I choose a tread pattern to make mold simpler. The pink is the mold material poured onto half the tire.

In the second pic I removed the mold box, and removed the clay. Some more cleaning and then a release agent, then second half of mold will be poured onto that. Making a complete two part mold. Pour holes and vent holes will be added. And that is the ugly side of tire that will always be facing inward so not as much time spent on smoothing out all the little lines.

I choose to make the mold this way as it seemed more uniform. I guess I could have made the first half with the plugs on bottom and not went the clay rout. Eather way it's the same.

[Cooper]

Getting ready to check on last nights pour of my first mold. Have to wait till Monday to pour second half, didn't get enough material first time. And to clear up some confusion on the type of mold making I'm doing , I am doing a two piece open pour mold. Silicone mold resin casting. (Silicone rubber) the process I am doing does not require degassing of mold material but is recommended. The process of degassing is not the same as vacuume molding. This is not vacuume molding. I am using the casting method. All the vacuume that I am using is for materials prior to being poured. When materials are mixed air may be introduced to material. If material is degassed(vacuumed) for about 90 second it allows the trapped air in mixed material to be removed. Then the material is poured into mold. The mold is NOT vacuumed during the final casting process. The material used in making the mold is not as critical as the actual casting (part) resins in the degassing nature. But having well placed vent holes are in the casting application is. So it looks like earliest results will be Wednesday.

[Cooper]

[Cooper]

Actually the second half will not have vent or pour holes. It will be poured as is. Once the mold is cured I will cut holes from the mold cavity side. Just using a piece of tubing to cut a couple circular holes. This way I don't have to worry about attaching anything and can precisely locate them where I want. I'll post the progress as I go .

[bigford]

what have we told you about posting pic out of order!!!!! bad cooper you confused us

[TRUCKMAKER]

Yeah Coop we'll have to have my shop Forman have a chat with your shop Forman!

[Cooper]

And then we definately wouldn't get anything done!!!! Lol!!!!! Kind of funny, last night after I poured the mold I left heat on in garage and closed up. Then before I went to bed I had to go out and check the mold,,,, found the cat sitting next to it looking odd!!! Don't know if I interrupted what was about to happen or if I just saved myself cleaning silicone off a giant hairball with teeth!!! Might even have found a cat poop mold in the morning!!

[Bo Wallen]

Originally Posted by Cooper

And then we definately wouldn't get anything done!!!! Lol!!!!! Kind of funny, last night after I poured the mold I left heat on in garage and closed up. Then before I went to bed I had to go out and check the mold,,,, found the cat sitting next to it looking odd!!! Don't know if I interrupted what was about to happen or if I just saved myself cleaning silicone off a giant hairball with teeth!!! Might even have found a cat poop mold in the morning!!

I think.......that giant hairball just wanted to help you make the worlds first Cooper/Cat tyre

[Cooper]

Originally Posted by Bo Wallen

I think.......that giant hairball just wanted to help you make the worlds first Cooper/Cat tyre

Lol!!! I'm just really glad I went and checked on it. I didn't know cat was still in garage!! Just imagine going out in morning and seeing the cat all matted in hardened silicone , possibly laying in the mold box!! We would have one of those hairless cats!! Ya know,,,,, it may be fun shaving that cat,, all but his head feet and tail!!! Oh great, more work to do in the shop,,, shaving a cat.


(All yours reg!!)

[RCP57]

Originally Posted by Cooper

Lol!!! I'm just really glad I went and checked on it. I didn't know cat was still in garage!! Just imagine going out in morning and seeing the cat all matted in hardened silicone , possibly laying in the mold box!! We would have one of those hairless cats!! Ya know,,,,, it may be fun shaving that cat,, all but his head feet and tail!!! Oh great, more work to do in the shop,,, shaving a cat.


(All yours reg!!)

Ummmm.... Too easy.lol

...silicone and a shaved kitty.... Sounds like a party!

[Cooper]

Well I bit the bulled and found a 785d 1:50 scale model to base this build off. Pricey little buggers!! Found one for a little over one bill!! Just some size comparisons. I'm building the one in middle. Some big pieces of equipment on our planet!!! I have never been up close to anything bigger than a 777, but that was impressive. Might have to take a ride up to coal country, but don't know if any 797s are around here.

[ihbuilder]

Originally Posted by Cooper

Well I bit the bulled and found a 785d 1:50 scale model to base this build off. Pricey little buggers!! Found one for a little over one bill!! Just some size comparisons. I'm building the one in middle. Some big pieces of equipment on our planet!!! I have never been up close to anything bigger than a 777, but that was impressive. Might have to take a ride up to coal country, but don't know if any 797s are around here.

I've seen a 785 here next to a D11 but nothing bigger down here .

[Supermario]

My buddy up north at a gold mine. The electric version of a 797







The biggest loader I've been around...

[TRUCKMAKER]

I seen this picture a couple of days ago, kinda puts it all in perspective, the size difference is amazing.

[TRUCKMAKER]

We have a hobby shop/ raceway about 45 minutes from here. They have a large orange tabby that they shave to look like a lion and he does, if you like cats he's is really cool looking.

[Cooper]

Wow!! And thanks for the mail pics Mario, once I can get accurate frame geometry and dimensions I think I'll be set for building. Not going for perfect scale but for function.

[Cooper]

BOOO! It's late but happy Halloween!! Says the hairball with fangs and claws!!



Got some more mold making silicone, just got done the bottom pour. No vent holes or casting holes. I am going to cut them in after silicone has set. More simple, will just use a sharpened tube to cut them.

[Cooper]

The two parts, have to cut some pour/vent holes