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Miniature Tool Collection

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flyingtractors1:
Hi David.  No, the mold shown on this page is the rubber mold which is used to create duplicate wax patterns.  Wax is injected into this mold.  Then the rubber mold halves are separated and the wax pattern carefully extracted after it solidifies.  That pattern is then surrounded with plaster into which metal is poured after the mold is baked and the wax melted out.  I'm working on the plaster molds now - pics soon.   Ralph

flyingtractors1:
The mold halves are lubricated and ready for injection.





Wax is injected.





Wax patterns are carefully removed from the rubber mold, and a "tree" is formed with three patterns.  This will call for a 3oz pour, and that is about as much as I can safely handle at this time.





The patterns are mounted at the bottom of a casting flask (in this case a 10oz soup can.





Plaster is mixed and debubbleized in an improvised vacuum chamber on a custom built vibration table.





The flasks are placed in an oven to melt out the wax (lost wax) and hard bake the plaster molds.





When well baked in high heat, molten metal will be injected (shot) into the cavities in the molds.

flyingtractors1:
The mold is in the centrifuge ready for casting.  This is the most exciting part of the process and the part with the greatest risk where it can go dangerously wrong.  This machine is a "broken arm" spring wound instrument that slings the molten metal into the cavity in the plaster mold.   Ralph





The cast "button" at the top of the mold is indication of a successful cast. it is from this button that the piece in the mold draws material as it cools and tends to shrink - the reason for using 50% more metal than the castings call for.





After the mold is broken open, there is evidence that it was a good cast.  Next the cast is washed thoroughly and prepared for separation of the pieces.








cutting, filing, sanding, buffing & polishing will follow.


Other operations - drilling and tapping as needed.

flyingtractors1:



filed, sanded, buffed and polished








Nice tight grained wood accents complete the project, and we have a fine piece of pocket jewelry for the well dressed mechanic.  Or it could be a vest pocket piece at the end of a stylish chain.   Ralph

Meldonmech:
Hi Ralph

                     Very interesting, and well illustrated

                                                                                Cheers  David

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