Building 1 time use mold. input?

[EBEACH]

Dave,
An easy way to do it would be to use a plastic container from someone such as Rubbermaid. Home Depot, office supply, and toy stores might be a good place to look for your mold. Wax the container then use a non-waxed gel coat and coat the inside. Then just glass it. You can add core material as well for insulation.

Great thing about the rotational molded plastics, they have a taper built into the part, and your piece should pull right out. If not, just cut it off. Further more, the plastic totes and garbage cans come in all shapes and sizes, even stating the volume in gallons . They have relief’s in the sides that will add to its strength.

You’ll have a great looking fish box in no time at all. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Jim

[Dave Hirshberg]

Good Idea Jim,
But I'm very confined to the size and type of well I need . It has to cover or blend to a nonskid outline already on the dck of the boat. I bought the Melamine board yesterday and I'll photo the process for better or worse to show how it comes out. I'm considering doing one the sixe of a shoebox to see if and at what point the laminents will bend. I'll keep you posted.

[strick]

Dave- Sounds like you got it figured pretty good and it's probably going to work just fine. Looking forward to the pics. The only thing I would do different is make the flexable part of the mold out of hard board rather then using a laminate espically if you are going to throw it away when you are finished. I think it would be quick and the 1/8 inch hard board would bend very easily around the plywood has a smooth shiney surface and is easy to cut.

John- I made the leaning post out of a piece of plastic bent at a 90 degree angle. then I laminated two pieces of plywood at a 90 degree angle slightly narrower then the plastic base. The Vinyl cushion is attached to the plywood backing and then it is bolted to the plastic base. There are some handles on either side of the leaning post that are hard to see in the pic. It's a quickie job and I've always thought that I would add a tackle center to the underside rear of the post but never did. Not sure exactly what I'm going to do on the new boat as of yet.... still thinking about the stern [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Strick

Strick

[Dave Hirshberg]

Strick,
Where do you get the hardboard you are talking about. I bought Melamine board 5/8 in which is particle board with a plastic white coating on each side. Its very hard and smooth and I plan on using it for the inside top of the mold and bottom. I've been reffering to it in the posts as plywood but it is called Melamine at Home Depot. The type of stuff you would make cabinet shelves out of. I didn't see anything that would make a rounded 90 degree bend. If there is a board that will make the bend without breaking I'll use it. Let Me know.
Thanks Dave.

[strick]

Dave-

I get the Hard board from HD as well. They dont carry it all the time and that can be a problem... you remember the stuff called pegboard that has a million little holes in it? well this stuff is like it minus the holes. Comes in two sizes(i think 1/8 and 1/4) has one very very smooth side and one rough side and is very flexible. You may have to call several lumbaryards to find it I think it is used for indoor paneling.

Strick

[abl1111]

I was just at a HD today buying 'stuff' and went to check out the hardboard material. I have never made a mold and will attempt within the next 2-3 months.

Strick, how much can that stuff bend ?

I am starting to think-out a tackle center box that mounts to the floor and mounts my ped seats ( that I don't own yet ).

Anybody ever see this done ? If so, have you got dimensions ? What core would you use here ?

Also, how would you make the mounting lip/flange on the bottom - inward or outward ?

Thx,

alan

[John R]

I have a "tackle center" that came on the boat and the short pedastals mount on top. I'm not big on it so I'm removing it in favor of a leaning post and slipping a livewell underneath... It's old but I can probably take a pic if you are interested....