Test molds

[BillDean]

I saw the thread on making molds using fast set. Very interesting ,but created some questions in my mind. What will be the next step in forming the Willys` door panel? Is the mold /pattern going to be used as a temperary tool for forming or as a pattern for a die sinker or tracer mill? I restore antique tractors and need to manufacture some radiator fan shrouds. Basicly a square transitioning into a cone approx 28 inches square and 4-5 inches deep with an open center approx 18 inches in diameter. If I can figure out some way to form the part I hve a 40 ton single action hyd press for a power supply

[Steve Hamilton]

The mold that was poured using the quick set drywall joint cement has to be cured at 125 degrees for many hours. That will remove all the moisure. Then He will contact a foundry that will pour a kirksite (low melting temp metal) in the mold to produce a copy of the door structure. Randy will need to hire a hydroform company. The Kirksite mold is then used to hydroform the steel. Jeffery can probably answer more, but that is it in a nut shell.

Steve Hamilton

[Boogiemanz1]

Bill, depending on the number of shrouds you need to make, a hammerform may be the answer. Basically it is a "positive" solid pattern of the inside of the shroud that you work your metal over. Most being made of hardwood.............john

[BillDean]

Thanks for the info Back in the dark ages, late 1960`s we used a lot of kirksite dies on the GE CJ805 and SST engine projects Was aquick and dirty way to get short run tooling in a hurry I am working on a hardwood die to form spring covers for my IHC T20 crawler That sounds like a good way to go on the shrouds

[Gonejunking]

Hi Bill
The quickset is used as a mold to pour kirksite into, then the back is machined flat, and the tool is fliped over and put on a hydroform press.

If you have a 20 ton single action press, you can do the same thing, but you will need an upper and lower die. The shroud should be an easy one to make a mold from. I have a few TO30's so I know what it look's like.

An other option, can you find a hydro bag to fit your machine? On our 400 ton press, we have a hydro attachment for it.