Series 1 towing eye covers

cxprestigeauto · Post by **cxprestigeauto** » Fri Jul 10, 2015 10:50 pm

I have now obtained a replacement cover (thanks Justin!)

I have done a bit of research and it seems that 3D printing, while trendy, will not give a very good finish.

After a bit of research I have found that there are a number of low volume plastic moulders that could reproduce the part given a sample.

Since I now have a good sample I could commence the moulding process.

So far I have been quoted approximately £200 for the mould and £15 per casting.

Not cheap but I will continue to investigate other suppliers.

In the meantime I would be very keen to now who needs one.

Ignore the cost for the moment I just need to know how many are needed as the volume affects the type of mould used and hence the costs.

Please post and let me know if you require one. It is not an open ended commitment to buy one

Rob

southerner · Post by **southerner** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 12:47 am

Those 3d printers don't give a finish product, you have smooth rub it after it as cold down and cured, that takes about 24 hours to cure and harden.
You could try and make your own molds using ally make a die cast out of fire clay to make the mold.

cxprestigeauto · Post by **cxprestigeauto** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 8:58 am

Interesting suggestion! Making new parts out of ally sounds a little overengineered for a part that clips into a plastic bumper.

I will investigate further.

Rob

White Exec · Post by **White Exec** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 9:41 am

Fire clay sounds interesting for the mould.
How about ali-powder based body resin filler for the compound?

southerner · Post by **southerner** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 10:57 am

What you do is you make the cast mold out of fire clay, that makes the ally mold (the tool) that molds the plastic.
A resin filler would work so long it can take the molten alloy heat.
Its a bit of a work up to do but once you got the alloy mold for the plastic it becomes very easy.

White Exec · Post by **White Exec** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 11:59 am

Actually I was wondering if a clay (or other) mould could be made, which could then be used to directly cold cast the finished item, using a resin, such as aluminium based 2-pack filler. Or something like.

Back in the 70s, a friend used to cold-cast Lewis Chessmen from pourable resin. The result was tough and of high-quality finish.

Post by **Dieselman** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 12:01 pm

Ask Davetherave. He made moulds for the headlamp washer cover.

southerner · Post by **southerner** » Sun Jul 12, 2015 12:13 pm

clay would work for cold molding, but using a resin you will need a fiber reinforcement mix in the resin

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Series 1 towing eye covers

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