My lens making thread.

[Big_John]

Just happened upon this... I don't know if there's any more info, but it can't hurt.

Mold Making & Casting Class

 

[Zymurgy]

I feel like I could teach one now. My first rule is don't make a mold box for a 8 lb mold out of plexiglass and a glue gun.

That being said always looking for how people do things, even if it might be one aspect of their process. My current method is what I feel is the best from 3 different sources.

 

[Zymurgy]

My translucent dyes came today so I will be good for round 2 of my red lens. I got some other colors too just to play with. They are pretty cheap and shipping was the same.

 

[Big_John]

That being said always looking for how people do things, even if it might be one aspect of their process. My current method is what I feel is the best from 3 different sources.

Whenever I have to learn how to do something, I try to look at several different sources. Even as you master the task, reading about or watching someone else do the same thing will quite often enlighten you. Sometimes it's a reminder on how not to do things too.. LOL.

But if you really want to master something, teach it to someone else. You will learn much about what you are doing and understand the process more.

 

[Zymurgy]

Well put big John, I am actually going to teach a friend how to make a mold for a couple of Imperial lens. He has been a huge help to me on Goldie including rebuilding the 727 for a case of beer. I think I owe him.

Here is one of the lens, it will also give me an idea what to expect if someone wants me to reproduce a lens that is intact but has a crack in it.

 

[detmatt]

I have some experience making acrylic boxes, the last one is currently holding 200 gallons and no leaks.

 

[oliver]

Totally RAD!

 

[cantflip]

I have some experience making acrylic boxes, the last one is currently holding 200 gallons and no leaks.
View attachment 170035 View attachment 170036

You must have a better glue gun...

 

[detmatt]

You must have a better glue gun...

No glue, not even a bead of silicone, it’s solvent welded.

 

[Zymurgy]

Very cool Matt.

 

[detmatt]

Very cool Matt.

Thanks Mike, I built that one last year along with the steel stand for my website guy. The next one is going to be over 300 gallons for one of his fishy friends. Btw I thought this thread(as monumental as it is) needed to go off topic at least once so now that’s out of the way.

 

[commando1]

Btw I thought this thread(as monumental as it is) needed to go off topic at least once so now that’s out of the way

Thank gawd you stepped up to the plate. I was almost ready to pull out The Furry Family pic...

 

[live4theking]

Mike, incredible work.

 

[LocuMob]

I got this with the latest 66 Polara, I think I have the passenger side mint too.

 

[Ripinator]

My translucent dyes came today so I will be good for round 2 of my red lens. I got some other colors too just to play with. They are pretty cheap and shipping was the same.

View attachment 170005

Mike: I'm so glad you have taken up this enormous challenge. Now that you got the mold-making process figured out, looks like its also gonna take a while to figure out the red dye formula. Are you accepting orders yet?!?

 

[Zymurgy]

Not yet but I am getting close for the left side. The color might be a challenge of trial and error. I am thinking about getting together with my buddy on his Imperial lens and use his smaller lens to play around with the color.

 

[detmatt]

Not yet but I am getting close for the left side. The color might be a challenge of trial and error. I am thinking about getting together with my buddy on his Imperial lens and use his smaller lens to play around with the color.

Great idea mike!

 

[Zymurgy]

Lots of running around today, but I did get a lens poured with the new dyes, update tomorrow.

I wanted to pour my first mold half for the wrap around lens, but I needed to buy another sheet of melamine for the box walls.

Lastly a new compressor. The one I am using is my cousins and it is so loud. Very happy with how quiet this one is, a plus with the Mrs, since I have taken over half of he basement too.

 

[Zymurgy]

Holy massive mold. I formed the box for the wrap around lens. I had just opened a new gallon set of the rubber material last week, it is 18 lbs. I just calculated the materials for the larger pour 16.5lbs, and I don't have that much material left. I could box off some more area but only lost around 2 pounds. I will just leave it and order more material.

 

[live4theking]

That will be a massive mold.