Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Re: Shop: molded seat question
By:John Monroe
Date: 5/22/2008, 4:29 am
In Response To: Re: Shop: molded seat question (John Monroe)

: There are lots of ways to make a mold that works but much of it is using
: professional materials and technique. If you are casting off a surface
: that is pretty much flat with little inclines to worry about then molding
: plaster is pretty simple. This can be bought in different size buckets or
: 50 lb bags. You can wall or dam up around the sides using modeling clay
: and cardboard. More experienced persons can work up a wall but that is all
: timing. If it is a mostly flat area, grease the surface with Crisco or
: something similar and don't leave grease ridges, get the excess off or
: they will show in your cast. Mix the plaster to the consistency of pancake
: batter with no lumps. Then for a good surface lightly brush on a coat of
: plaster. Don't brush too hard or you will brush off the parting. Then
: simply slowly pore on the plaster. You can pat the surface to bounce out
: bubbles and make a better surface. After the plaster sets, wait until the
: heat just goes out of it before removing. It isn’t as strong as it will
: later get but he mold surface next to the seat develops a dampness that
: helps in the removal of the mold. To strengthen the cast just after
: pouring you can pat in rope hemp or some similar material if you have it.
: Actually you could probably just pat in some scrap fiberglass. Just to be
: extra safe you might put a coat of past wax on before the grease.

: John

Just a little more. The plaster mold must then be sealed before you glass your seat from it. I usually use shallac put on several times over an hour untill you have a shiny surface. Then you can prepair the surface with parting as usual for the glass seat.

John

Messages In This Thread

Shop: molded seat question
PatrickC -- 5/19/2008, 11:54 pm
Re: Shop: molded seat question
John Monroe -- 5/22/2008, 4:24 am
Re: Shop: molded seat question
John Monroe -- 5/22/2008, 4:29 am
Re: Shop: molded seat question
Charlie -- 5/20/2008, 10:55 pm
Re: Shop: molded seat question
Acors -- 5/20/2008, 3:54 pm
Re: Shop: molded seat question
PatrickC -- 5/20/2008, 6:04 pm
Re: Shop: molded seat question
Bill Hamm -- 5/20/2008, 1:11 am
Re: Shop: molded seat question
PatrickC -- 5/20/2008, 2:53 pm
Re: Shop: molded seat question
Bill Hamm -- 5/20/2008, 4:02 pm
Mold release
Jay Babina -- 5/21/2008, 7:46 am
Re: Mold release
Bill Hamm -- 5/22/2008, 1:22 am
Re: Mold release
Jay Babina -- 5/22/2008, 11:38 am
Re: Mold release
Acors -- 5/22/2008, 5:33 pm
Re: Mold release
Bill Hamm -- 5/22/2008, 4:21 pm
Re: Mold release
Acors -- 5/22/2008, 5:15 pm
Re: Mold release
Bill Hamm -- 5/22/2008, 4:18 pm
Re: Mold release
Acors -- 5/21/2008, 5:48 pm
Re: Mold release
JohnK -- 5/21/2008, 7:00 pm
Re: Mold release
Charlie -- 5/21/2008, 7:44 pm
Re: Shop: molded seat question *LINK*
Glen Smith -- 5/20/2008, 2:59 pm