[Milsurplus] Making mold for parts

[J. Forster]

It is certainly possible. I had a friend who made special knobs for GR
equipment that way.

He machined a master out of aluminum, cast a female mold out of RTV
silicone rubber, ejected the original, then poured in the casting resin.
He would use a very liquid two-part epoxy and add color to suit.

You could use an original to male the mold. He used a small vacuum fixture
to get rid of air bubbles.

-John

=====================



> List -
> What I have:
> Unit is a HP8601A  with all sorts of USAF Mil Lab stickers and plates,
> not a unique
> piece milsurplus unit, but it has papers }.
>
> The Problem:
> I have a lighted push button switch cap missing.  Presently I use a #2
> pencil  eraser end to
> turn on and off the unit.  I have searched the web for, a replacement or
> new lighted switch,
>  or a replacement cap.  No luck.
>
> My Thoughts:
> Thought of  paying a few dollars for a junk unit to strip out the switch
> has crossed my mind;
>  But! -here is where trouble starts-   If I could make a mold and pour a
> plastic casting:
>     Economically - the create your own mold might not make sense but
> would be a interesting
>     project, that could prove valuable later.
>
> Need your Feed back:
> Conceptually this seems simple, but I have been there before; and it was
> not pretty:
> Any Comments, has anyone attempted to make a mold?
>
> What materials would I need to make a simple mold for a small plastic
> part?
>
>
> Thanks
> Hutch
>
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