Mi-Jack Translift Crane in Z scale!

HoboTim Aug 31, 2006

  1. HoboTim

    HoboTim TrainBoard Supporter

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    For some time I have been working on scratch building master styrene pieces to make molds from. The pieces of the master, when assembled, will make a Mi-Jack Translift crane in Z scale. It has taken a few months to get to this point, but I have good news. The masters are complete, the molds have been poured, and all that is left is to mix up some casting resin and fill the molds.

    The biggest part of this task is complete. Now I have two more items to create. The artwork for the etched brass details and the decal sheet. The artwork for the etched brass pieces is already made, I just need to adjust a few lines here and there and it will be ready to etch brass. The decals will only take an hour or so!

    Crossing my fingers, I might be finished with all of this by the end of this long weekend!

    Here are some photos of the mold process.

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    Stay tuned for the rest of the photos!

    Hobo Tim
     
  2. HoboTim

    HoboTim TrainBoard Supporter

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    Second set of photos!

    Here they are!

    The molds completed!

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    There they are! Ready to be filled with casting resin!

    Hobo Tim

    p.s. More photos to come!
     
  3. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Tim, looks great. Just dont let Jurg know that the first one if mine. Anyway, it takes forever to ship it to Switzerland. :)
     
  4. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    I got dibbs on the second one Tim! :D
     
  5. Torsja

    Torsja TrainBoard Member

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    Casting

    Looking god so far Tim.

    But don't you use any holes for the air bobbles to get out off when you poor the resin in the molds ?

    PS: It's cool too se how other people use different techniques to.

    Something like this?

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  6. JR59

    JR59 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Bad news for you John, I've allready paid a prepayment last week. :) And my Mi-Jack (UP Style) will have lights!


     
  7. HoboTim

    HoboTim TrainBoard Supporter

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    Most Definitely & More!!!

    Torsja

    On complex molds, I have learned to use many holes, plus to cut resevoirs connecting to the item I want to cast.

    The holes help to eliminate the bubbles, plus also supply that part of the mold with extra resin.

    I also strategically cut large resevoirs into the bottom mold to hold extra resin too.

    Reason for the resevoirs:
    I cut the resevoirs to hold extra resin. I place most of my molds into a 2 gallon pressure pot for one hour as soon as I pour the resin and close the mold. I then seal the lid on the pot and apply 25-40 psi of pressure. The pressure help eliminate any small bubbles that may be in the molds. Also, the pressure uses the resin, in the resevoirs, to fill the mold voids where the air bubbles were.

    The only thing that survives the pressure pot are large bubbles. I take care to eliminate all bubbles in my molds before I close them. Sometimes I miss a few, but the pressure pot eliminates most of them.

    My other reason for using a pressure pot is that I don't have a vacuum pump yet. Vacuum pumps are used to draw out all bubbles from casting resins as soon as you mix them. Have to have a good vacuum pump to do this. Costs $$$$$ that I don't have! Maybe soon though!

    Pressure pot is a good investment. Works very well!

    Note the photo comparisons. The first is the actual photo of the molds and the second is the same but shows where all vent holes are and all resevoir areas. Holes in tops, resevoirs in the bottoms.

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    For the past 2+ years I have been perfecting my mold making capabilities. I learn from mistakes how to improve each new mold. With mixing RTV costing $30+ for 32 ounces, I have probably wasted $300+, mostly in the beginning from no experience.

    One of my most complex molds was of the #1 red grain elevator. That was a huge mold. The accompanying grain storage was just as complex.

    Since I started playing with Z scale, I have learned to make RTV molds, Use casting resins, Create sophisticated programs to print decals, Make 2 sided films for etching brass, and etching brass. I have since purchased a Unimat desktop Mill/Lathe, air compressor, pressure pot, Alps printer, and a 2/3 ounce plastic injection machine. I have pretty much learned how to use all of these machines on my own, Hands-on experience. Most of them are a constant learning. You can never know too much!

    Hobo Tim
     
  8. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    You have lots of skills Tim! I just wish I had the time to learn them too. I have a list of the skills I need to learn in order, to compliment my own skill set.

    1) Etched Brass: If I could etch my own brass I could make loco shells, fine projects like bridges that are too fragile in wood, and all kinds of thin details.

    2) Resin Casting: This skill would allow me to make things like tank car tanks, 1 piece chimneys, vents, and other 3D details needed to complete a limited run project.

    3) Metal Spin Casting: This skill would be a significant skill that would allow me to make things like detailed brake gear parts, steam locomotive shells and details, cast underframes for my rolling stock projects, and good quality automobiles, and detail parts in high quanities.

    3D Cad Drawing: Here is a skillset I would like to learn down the road. I could design the masters for all those detail parts, shells, and underframes I want, scale them up the 1.5% to 3% I need to offset mold shrinkage, and send the files out to someone to make the masters for my spin casting and resin molds.

    3D Solventjet Printing: Another new technology I have been reading up on, that will replace pad printing and decals. You just spray paint your project white, then put them in this printer, set on alignment marks, then the printer paints your artwork and body color on, much like an inkjet printer prints out a photograph. Rotate the work, and print the other sides, and when done, your model is completely and precisely painted, with all the fine artwork you need at 4800 x 9600 dpi resolution.

    CNC Machining: I would like to make my own loco mechanisms, and this skillset would allow me to do that. Also, I could make molds for plastic injection molding.

    Injection Molding: With this skillset I think I would be set to do any project I wanted, and supply the Z Scale community with an abundance of great products, at a resonable price.

    I have so many ideas for projects, that with the skills above, I might be able to make a living off trains?

    From reading the skills you have already mastered Tim, I think you might be able to give it a go, and make a decent living off trains. ;)
     
  9. JR59

    JR59 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Robert, for all those skills you decribed you must have more then one life! Maybe a cat with 7? :)
     
  10. HoboTim

    HoboTim TrainBoard Supporter

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    Progress is so sweet! Here is the first copy of the Mi-Jack out of the molds. I cleaned the pieces up with a hobby knife only. Still some rough edges to sand/file off before any painting or glueing.

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    There you have it. The first copy from the molds.

    What are your comments and questions!

    Hobo Tim
     
  11. Kez

    Kez TrainBoard Member

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    Am I still in line?

    Looks great Tim. I can't wait to see it painted and decalled and in my home!!
     
  12. HoboTim

    HoboTim TrainBoard Supporter

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    More Photos!

    Here are two photos with a MTL Husky and two hi-cube containers to show the height clearances. You can drive a train under them!

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    OK, I need to get back to work. Have to finalize the film for the brass etching details. Have about 19 more Mi-Jacks to go!

    Have a good weekend!

    Hobo Tim

    Please Note, the container attachment frame slides from side to side so you can actually place it where ever you want. If you are good, you can take a hobby knife and trim the bottom horizontal beam, that the frame traverses on, and lower it, glueing it in place. Make the Mi-Jack look like it is lifting the bottom container. Easily accomplished. Ask I will tell you where to cut. Warning, delicate model!
     
  13. JoeS

    JoeS TrainBoard Member

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    Fantastic work there Tim! Always impressive stuff!
     
  14. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    Sorry Bryan, since you were on vacation when Tim officially took the orders for the Mi-jack, we will put you on the back of the line. That means you get the Mi-jack build with non pressure pot parts :D

    All I have to say is mine, mine, mine , mine, mine.
     
  15. Kez

    Kez TrainBoard Member

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    John, don't you have some more CSX rolling stock to track down? You don't have any business in this thread......

    :angel:
     
  16. rray

    rray Staff Member

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    Man that model looks so good! And so do those containers! I can't wait to get my hands on one of those baby's! :D
     
  17. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    What are you talking about Bryan. The CSX boxcars are paid for, and I am waiting for delivery. Now I am tracking down a Mi-Jack to replace that ugly container city, so that it will have a real NA intermodal yard look. :D
     
  18. JR59

    JR59 TrainBoard Supporter

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    He Guys, the first one goes to Switzerland, no question! :)
    Tim, awesome work!
     
  19. shamoo737

    shamoo737 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter

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    George, that might good and dandy, but I plan to drive to Atlanta and take possesion of a Mi-Jack. I love acting childish. Oh well, there is 19 Mi-Jacks, so I am sure we will get ours. :D
     
  20. HoboTim

    HoboTim TrainBoard Supporter

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    Fight'n over Mi-Jacks!

    Dang guyZ, the fight is on!

    Who will get the first Mi-Jack Kit?

    Who will get the first RTR Mi-Jack? Oh, that is already pre-paid and will find its way toward Switzerland as soon as I can complete it!

    As for the kits, the list is 10 full. 10 Mi-Jacks will be shipped all over the USA. Gonna be fun to read all the postings of people getting their Mi-Jacks and the Photos of their creations! Can hardly wait to see and read it!

    Ok, back to work for me!

    Hobo Tim

    p.s. John you are welcome to come on over if you want. That goes for any of you guyZ. You can visit my messy shop area. I'll show you so much stuff!
     

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