My lens making thread.
- Thread starter Zymurgy
- Start date
300rag
It's Not Going to Shift Itself
Come on, now. It's a lense, not fruitcake
. He just needs to jack up the part number, and slide a new aftermarket body under it.
pomonamissel
Senior Member
very cool thread , i might give it a go . have you found the best source for the supplies ?
I really have been happy with the Smooth-on product. In order to have the best results you will need a vacuum chamber and a pressure pot too.
Can't stick a new picture into a PM
That is what I need Jeff, I will be able to get some figures from those pictures.
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You do realize that we’re all standing right here....Thanks... but shh... don't tell anybody.
I'm whispering... shouldn't be picked up by too many...You do realize that we’re all standing right here....
GJS
Senior Member
I keep wanting to ask you to do a 67 Monaco lens ... then I realize that the size of the vacuum pot needed would likely be big enough to back a small garden tractor into.
Know anyone at NASA? Sandusky would only be a quick 100 mile or so trip for Mike...
World's Largest Vacuum Chamber
GJS
Senior Member
There you go! Cast plastic full scale C-Body models.
My limit is the depth of my pressure pot at 14 1/2, and the mold needs at least 3/8" on each end, so my max lens is 13 3/4" long.
My cousin retired from there. Maybe we could sneak in on the weekend....
GJS
Senior Member
I've not measured it but I'm pretty sure they'd be longer than that. I have two sets, the ones on my car which has a poorly repaired crack on the passenger side and a cigarette burn on the driver side ("class act"). The other set I picked up, missing the inner trim ring, has light stress checking like they all do .. not sure how that would effect a mold .. not sure it would.
I'll throw a ruler at them tonight and see if it'd even be possible for you. If it is and you'd be interested, I'd gladly sacrifice my "better" set for reproduction. I know theres a lot of guys out there that'd need em.
Yes I believe that lens is bigger then what would fit in my pressure pot. I could show you what a lens looks like when it's not cured in the pressure pot. The little bubbles are gone so the lens is clear. but there will be some bigger bubbles, but they would be on the back side. Not really noticeable except when they are lit up.
GJS
Senior Member
Welp, I gotta clean this set up anyway. I snagged both assemblies for 25 bucks (again, missing the inner trim piece). They are however unbroken. The question is whether or not they will remain so after disassembly. If it stays intact, then the question is whether or not the fracturing would be more or less attractive than bubbles.
Stupid 67 Monaco taillights. Why they gotta be so pretty?!
My buddy has a perfect lens to work on first, to see how they turn out with some cracks, but intact. I hope to make a mold of it in the next couple of weeks.
It is a nice small lens so I can experiment with it. It is clear but I can make a red lens and make one that isn't cured in the pressure pot.
Let me do the experiments first, so I can give you the best expectations of the end result.
It is a nice small lens so I can experiment with it. It is clear but I can make a red lens and make one that isn't cured in the pressure pot.
Let me do the experiments first, so I can give you the best expectations of the end result.
pomonamissel
Senior Member
new lenses are great looking , they finish a restored car and brighten up an older ride . great thread , thanks .
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