how would you go about molding a nacelle?

raser13 · Post by **raser13** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 7:17 am

hey guys, i've have a minimal knowledge of resin casting. i've used the two part putty style mold making material but i've just graduated to using the two part pourable style that they sell at hobby lobby with good results. the only thing is that the parts that i've molded in the past have all been flat on one side. think enterprise bridges,planetary sesors, impulse engine crystals. now what i need to cast is a little different. there really isn't a "bottom" side. or a "flat" side to a nacelle. here's what i need to copy.

http://s1015.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... sort=3&o=3

http://s1015.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... sort=3&o=2

http://s1015.beta.photobucket.com/user/ ... sort=3&o=0

so those of you that do alot of this type of thing, how would you go about molding this up??

Ziz · Post by **Ziz** » Sun Mar 10, 2013 10:20 am

Looks like an E-C/Ambassador nacelle, right?

If you've already attached it, cut the bussard collector off. Cast it in two parts - body and bussard. Make a tall mold and cast it on-end. When I cast my TOS nacelles, I put the pour stub where the rear fairing attaches. For the Endeavor nacelles, the pour stub is at the front.

http://www.modular-models.com/TOSnacellesandpylons.html

raser13 · Post by **raser13** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 2:20 am

thanks for the info ziz. i was wondering if you guys did two part molds, or just one long one. is there any issues getting the parts out?? do you use some type of mold release both when making the mold , or the part??

Ziz · Post by **Ziz** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 1:38 pm

I try to avoid two-part molds unless I have no choice, mostly because it's just more work and time to create the mold.

I don't use any mold release. Most of the problems I have had are just in getting the original part out of the mold because of the natural vacuum created by the part being in there in the first place. Of course, that varies depending on part size and shape but nothing I haven't been able to deal with.

For cylindrical parts like nacelles, compress the mold along the length of the part to push the part out enough to grab it and pull the rest of the way. Just go slow and wiggle the part out so that you don't damage the mold as you remove the part.

raser13 · Post by **raser13** » Mon Mar 11, 2013 3:05 pm

thanks ziz, that should get me hooked up.