fiberglass leaning post / bait well - plug for a mold
 

I wanted a copy or 3 of this leaning post bait well for my 20 sf and 23 sf so i decided to try to make a mold from plugging the original. I started by fixing some imperfections and then sanding. I Started with 320 then went to 400 grit. Once it was slick I cleaned it with acidtone then started the waxing process. It took 3-4 hours to fully wax, haze, wipe down and reapply the 5 coats of wax. Sprayed a few coats of a high build white primer over the wax then let dry. I cut a small circle of primer out of the top of the bait well for the aid of an air chuck to help in breaking the unit free. Cut the csm and prepped the pieces for glassing. The lay up took a little over 4 hours to do. It took around 5 gallons to coat it completely with 3 full layers of csm. Didn't get any pics of the lay up due to the grueling pace required to laminate the unit but got some before and after shots. Today I plan on trying to add the air chuck into the mold that got forgotten while glassing then I will add some stiffeners and several more coats of glass. This project has been a little more difficult than I thought. I have done several one off mdf melamine molds or formica molds but plugging a pre made unit is a bit different. I just hope it pops off easily or some what easy. I was planning on using pva but forgot to order any so I hope the mold release dose it's job

Attachment 6196

Attachment 6197

Attachment 6198

Attachment 6199

Attachment 6200

Attachment 6201.

What's the inside of the well part going to look like?

I'm in the same boat with my 20sf project. Can't decide to build or buy new or modify the existing one.

The original is just a foam insulated she'll with no tank. I was going to get a round prefab plastic tank to mount under the post and cut a lexan window for the well section. I'm guessing a 2' diameter 30 gallons well would work. It might have to be shimmed up to get the height right to work with the door section but think this would be easier than building.a fiberglass unit into the leaning post. Plus it would be easier to remove the post to access the separate mounted well underneath.

Tried to pop it out once it sat and cured in the heat over night. The lower lip came loose easily but the large areas wouldn't budge. I didn't think it would but wanted to see how loose it was. I cut out a place to add the air chuck. Glassed it in with some thickened resin and scrap fibers. I used a little bead mask to seal the hole off so the resin wouldn't plug up the fitting. Couldn't find the clay and the bead masking worked almost better. Hope this will let the mold rise off more easily plus it will ade in removing the molded parts once the mold is finished and used.

Attachment 6212

Attachment 6213

Attachment 6214

Attachment 6215

Love the air idea, but don't see much taper on the plug.

I`m also not the person to say this as my shop nickname is Gator.

Cheers,
GFS

I would limit the hose length and charge on the hose. If it decided to come unglued you could have part of it take a ride and land on something expensive or something that would bleed.

Very true, there is only about less than a inch or so on the bait well for tapper but the box area under the seat has none to very little. I wish it had more but thats how it was built originally. I would like to see the original mold at kencraft / challenger plant and see how they get them out.

Good idea, I didnt think about that. I will try to be a little safer. The resin is cured so i will find out here real soon!

Looking Good .. Wish you all the luck.. Hopefully it will come off in one piece. If not you could make a 2 piece mold. Can't wait to see the finish product..

That flange would drive me nutz!!!!!