Making castings

Rob -
Don't know that I can answer your questions, as I am just beginning to experiment with casting myself, but I can point you in the right direction to get the answers you need. Try these sites:

http://www.alumilite.com/
http://www.bigscalemodelers.com/bsm/default2.cfm

Bob Hayes is doing the things that you and I want to do, but he's doing it in 1/8 scale. I'm sure he can give you lots of info.
HTH
lowdog

QUOTE: Originally posted by robrob Calling all experts * Who invented liquid soap, and why? Thanks in advance..... PS - just kiddin'about that last one....

I don't know beans about casting, I'm not even near a godo enough modeler to get into that yet. Trivia, however...


William Shepphard first patented liquid soap on August 22, 1865. The first modern liquid soap was introduced in 1980 by Minnetonka Corporation. Minnetonka cornered the liquid soap market by buying up the entire supply of the plastic pumps needed for the liquid soap dispensers. The Colgate Company acquired the liquid soap business from Minnetonka and renamed the product Softsoap in 1987.

As to why, I'd imagine that someone thought it might sell, as you wouldn't have to keep a nasty bar near the sing. Those bars of soap make the whole sink nasty.



madda

Thank you, Lowdog. The links are very helpful.

Rob,
I've been making molds and resin casting for years, and I think you may have a problem. I'd be surprised if you could find a silicone or rubber compound that would "compress" enough to give the "weighted" look to any model tire - considering the overall weight of a model. It just doesn't weigh enough to squish the rubber/silicone down the way your car tire does.
Another problem is the casting process - the tires in your kits are injection molded under great heat and pressure - not possible to do in your average workspace.
I've had very good results making "weighted" tires using polyurethane casting resin - I usually make a resin copy of the original tire, slightly flatten it and build up a "bulge" on the bottom using auto spot putty or thick paint, then make another silicone mold, then cast the final tires in resin. I find I can get amazing detail, complete tread patterns as well as sidewall lettering that comes out perfectly.
It's a lot of jerking around, but that's the best way to get the best results. I'm afraid I have a kind of disease - I can never build Out Of The Box - just doesn't happen. There's no cure, apparently................
Cheers,
LeeTree

Bob Hayes here, yes, you can do what you've layed out! Pics of the process on my web site www.bigscalemodelers.com under the "Mold and Cast" icon onthe "Gallery"page. Drop me a note if you need more description and help. Easy to do!