Casting car bodies

[Datto]

[masmojo]

Very good advice David, I like your pressure pots what are those made out of/from? I recognize them, but can't think of where I have seen them! I made a pressure chamber out of large diameter PVC pipe with fittings and it worked O.K., but those look superb and can probably handle much more pressure!

You are correct that most Die casts if used for casting will probably need some reworking/recasting for mass production and I have yet to see an ideal casting material for 1/43. The resin that the 1/43 model guys use is too brittle and some of the more flexible resins are too soft and don't hold their shape. Smooth-On has a couple that I think most guys use and they do O.K., but allot of guys want glass and interiors and maybe don't appreciate just how hard it is to cast something like that in 1/43 and have it stand up to normal slot car abuse. The A & B pillars are soo thin!

One of these days I would like to try casting the whole body in a clear resin, then just mask off the windows when painting; I believe this would be ideal for 1/43 if you could find the right material. The problem with clear as you know is all the things you mention like cost, cleanliness, etc. go double when you are casting in clear and you HAVE to use a Pressure pot. Slush casting won't really work for clear.

[LibertyFLHTC]

I made all the molds for a 1/43 resin with full interior (dash & front seats), poured a couple bodies, entered one in a proxy so it could be seen by the hosts. Never sold one body kit and the proxy car was returned broken.

I would not waste my time, efforts, or money going down this path again.

[mgs75thmeu]

[masmojo]

[dreinecke]

Masmojo - The post are painter's pressure pots from Harbor Freight with some modifications such as pressure guages and a valve that is setup for a compression quick-connect fitting.

Casting clear is NOT that easy in my opinion and I've stayed away from it for that reason.

I'm rather cynical of some caster's work, and spent a good deal of time on a JF kit that I eventually gave up on. Way too much work for what I paid.

I get very few complaints about my resins holding up to hard racing. I've club raced several of my cars, and have raced them even harder at home. My 510 did hit a concrete floor and cracked the pillars. The car was salvageable.

Almost all resins in my experience have issues with heat. A car interior can get up to 150 degrees in the sun...that will melt the resin...and some plastics.

[masmojo]

[a110alpine]

i have been watching this post with great interest. i am willing to buy 5 ferrari 250 gto's for a starter. a good quality body is important. casting clear windows is not. if kyosho and artin don't do it why should you???. anyway my paypal account is fully loaded and ready to go.

[Tsooko]

[Cjent]

[Dodgefarmer]

Chuck where would a person find 1/43 drivers trays

Randy

[Cjent]