I'm experimenting with making some special molds for hemispheres. I have an all-aluminum mold in which I made prototypes, so I thought I'd use it as a 'master' for a secondary mold.
I was 'directed' toward UltraCal as a desirable casting composition, because it will not shrink upon curing. Unfortunately, they didn't mention that it EXPANDS upon cure! After a drastic failure, I reviewed the MSDS from the manufacturer, and it does expand from 0.5% to 1% upon cure. <ugh!>
Well it LOCKED into the mold so hard that it took me four hours to clean it back out without any (serious) damage to the metal. There are a few 'marks' on it, but nothing severe. But DARN!
Lloyd
MAN! A big mistake yesterday!
Moderators: richardh08, Boophoenix, Lloyd
MAN! A big mistake yesterday!
"Pyro for Fun and Profit for More Than Sixty Years"
Re: MAN! A big mistake yesterday!
Lloyd, I can almost feel your pain - when something unexpected thwarts what is otherwise an entirely sensible idea, and then there is that panicked feeling of right, I've gotta fix this now or else the pain will feel worse!
Sucks.
Sucks.
- richardh08
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Re: MAN! A big mistake yesterday!
I feel for you, Lloyd. I've been there a few times and I know what it's like.
Even when I'm wrong, I'm convincing.
- Boophoenix
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Re: MAN! A big mistake yesterday!
If Great works came easy everyone would be doing it. Glad ya got it worked out.