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I was wondering if anyone has tried to make scales out of epoxy? the stuff is used to make trolling lures for tuna and marlin and many people here make their own lures. Has anyone tried it?
The reason for the "looking for naked ladies" thread was to look for a set that I could use to make a mold, but now that I think about it, it might be too rigid.
The only epoxy I've ever used was intended for flexible auto body parts. That one would actually have too much flex, kinda like rubber. I could never get the right tension on rubber scales. There may be an epoxy out there with the right consistency for you.
I thought about that 'mold thing' a while back but was thinking of using a polymer to cast the scales. However, I was having trouble finding the 'cast' material. I believe Gary Alfonso (sp?) had done this a while back... You might want to try and contact him (if he's still around here).
Let us know how it works out.... I'm interested in a set of those 'purtty' scales if you get them going! :)
C utz
Thanks for the lead. i'll check him out. I've been playing with the idea for a month or so. Still have to read up and talk to a few fishermen out here that make lures. It might be a while, but I'm sure I'll get to the experiments in a month or so. Just realized that I can use other things to make a mold. Have a few other things that I'm working on right now, but I'll keep everyone posted on this one.Quote:
Originally Posted by C utz
Oh and if I get them going, I'll definately send you a pair
If you still want a "naked lady" razor I might be able to get one for you. There is a local antique shop that had a Devil razor with naked lady scales last time I was there. I think that it was around $40. From what I remember the blade was in good condition but the scales were turning yellow. If you are interested send me a pm.
Metal-filled epoxy would certainly be strong enough, but it'd be ugly as sin! :roflmao
EDIT: That said, it might complement a duct-tape wallet...
Have you considered using dental plaster for making the mold. it holds fine detail and is non toxic. since they use it to take a impresson of a persons gums to make false teeth. when dry it is very durable.
Yes Im still making the cast scales,I do all sizes and colors,and have made molds for all the naked ladies,and peacocks and many others.I make them of several casting resins,and also kevlar cloth.Your choices are pretty much unlimited.I will post some pictres when I get home on Tuesday.
Best Regards Gary Alfonso
Carbon fiber (if only for the outside layer) would be cool for that "modern" look... :hmmm:
Hey Gary,Quote:
Originally Posted by Traveller
Thanks for finding the post. I'm glad you did. I was just curious to know if it could be done. Now that curiousity is gone...it can be done! What kind of resin do you use?
Brendan, I use several diffrent resins The one for crystal clear scales has to be vacum degassed, but all of the others are just mix and pour,and are very simple to make.The main issue is that once you mix a small batch you still need to pour 30 to 40 sets of scales since each set uses so small a volume.I usuall pour 30 sets every couple of weeks.Then you have to finish sand , polish and drill holes,so I guess I probably have have 1/2 hour in a set from start to finished razo(scales only)Its kind of fun though,and some really beautiful scales come out,as I said before Ill post some pictures when I get home on Tuesday
Best Regards Gary
I, for one, am loking forward to seeing those pics!Quote:
Originally Posted by Traveller
-whatever
-Lou
A million years ago in another life I used to work for a prototype company where we made prototypes from drawings, made clay models, prepared silicone rubber molds, cast, fabricated, machined and polished prototypes in plastic for different companies...We worked in Acrylic, Epoxies, and Polyesters...
The world has moved on a bit since then and the plastics have become better and better...
I am sure that they NOW have a plastic <> filler matrix today that would be perfect for razor restoration...
Making little silicone or urethane molds from different sets of scales would be quite possible.
What had me wondering was which plastic <> filler matrix would be most stable and suitable for making, and using as scales... Polyesters, Expoxies, Urethanes?
Which fillers would give the most strength, graphite, glass..?
Then I guess would be the necessity of disassembling different razors to use the scales as protoypes for the molds...
Of course this would give you the opportunity to "replace" broken scales by using them as the model for the mold, and "repairing" the broken scale with body putty or clay, and then making a mold from it and then casting it's "replacement" from the plastic.
Yes, I'd definitely like to know more about this. I still have the skills to do the work, I've just been out of the loop for so long, I've forgotten the EXACT formulations, the suppliers, etc...
It is quite feasible to set something up in a basement, attic, kitchen, or garage workshop.
Lot's of hobbyists today use home-made plastics in making & repairing things....
Tony.