Casting Hose End Fittings

Well, I'm always confused about something! I like all the ideas so far, but it would be nice to just have to make one nice master or an existing fitting, and make a multiple cavity mold. Nothing with runners or gates, just like a flat back mold. Might not even have to use moldmaking material for the mounting half of it. I guess im still wondering if the effort of building the mold produce something worthwhile. Im sketchy on the strength of various casting resins also, what type to use, or if there are really any suitable.

Try plastruct.com. They have the hex rod that works great for what you are looking for. For instance let's say you are wanting to duplicate some braided hoses in the engine compartment. On a 1.1 vehicle this end would require a 9/16 wrench to tighten, therfore, you have a 9/16" fitting. To find out the what will be realistic scale on your model you need to do some simple math. Turn your fraction into a decimal

9 divided by 16 = 0.5625

Once you have converted that divide the decimal by the scale you are building.

.5625 divided by 24 (using 1/24 as my example) = .023

.023 is the size rod I would need to have for a 9/16 fitting in 1/24 scale. Buy that size rod, or what ever is closest and start cutting desired length. Use a pin vise to drill a hole in the fitting to slip on your hose, paint and you are done. You will be able to make hundreds of these for about $2.
I hope this explanation has helped you, if not sorry for confusing you even more

Hi!
Lucky for you the subject was up for discussion recently, I made a tutorial on how to make your own braided hoses with AN-fittings. Take a look on the following link and start making your own hardware, it doesn't take all that long to make them. http://niclasproos.fotopic.net/c161634.html

Niclas

Oh, I forgot about this one. Scale Auto had a tip one time where a guy used Allen wrench bolt heads to cast scale bolt heads and nuts. It might work for hose fittings, too.

Glenn

I believe that you can buy hexagonal plastic rod from places that sell the regular sheet plastic . I'd try that route first, so all that you'd have to do is cut off what you want. I haven't been able to find it at the local hobby shops; you may have to call them direct.

Glenn