Not-a-number

Busy weekend. 2nd half worked well. Little removable corner inserts look clean. Next I need to make a new inner core and figure out where to put some risers. Should be close to going to the foundry!

Putting the sand in the freezer before adding the catalyst has given me a good 15-20minutes work time (instead of 5!) Did the outer mould today with 30kg of sand no issues.

Since I plan to ship these back to NZ I want to make as few sand boxes as possible. So Im making the patterns removable from the boxes. Usually I just glue them down. Threaded insert The removable sections. Still need a bit of cleanup.

Outer pattern with runner system.

Runner system printed. Crazy how fast this printer goes. Only took 7hrs

The King Leopold Type59 is up for auction. Estimated £10 million https://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1934-bugatti-type-59-sports/ Ill start a crowed funding page for everyone to donate. Ill let you have a turn!

Did the first mould. Patterns worked well but the sand started going of way quicker than I hoped. Less than 10mins. So theres some voidy areas inside that would be no good for casting. Can still use it for the first mould assembly though. Did a runner system. On the printer now.

For aligning the two halves I have one pattern with holes going right through, other half only about 15mm deep. Clamp the two parts together, align, and run a reamer through into the 2nd part. Then install dowels on the lower half.

So I said I wasnt going to cast things in the US but ive changed my mind Got access to a lot more resource here, more sand options, binders, filters, foundries etc. The sand binder ive got has a lot longer working time and a much longer shelf life. So I should be able to do bigger moulds at home. Out door spray booth. Acetone vape on the patterns. Doesnt work the best on PLA but still blends it together a bit to make it stronger. In theory. First casting will be the cam tree. Using Duratec primer which is super high build and like chalk so easy to sand.

More the vanity than the cost (but the cost in NZ makes me judge a lot more!)

Got a plate to remind me of what I should really be focusing on every day! Disclaimer: I wouldnt normally buy a personalised plate. But in CA they are only $50 so why not.

Cheers for the invite. I would but it would be a long commute from LA

Bit of a mockup

Since a majority of the engine is modeled and most patterns have been printed I am going to move on to the car (since I dont have a workshop at the moment to do casting). The Ol' man has offered to have a go at making a chassis. I just need to provide him with tooling. The first approach is to try and make it using the original method. Which was to form sheetmetal over a mandrel to produce a C channel type chassis rail. The mandrel is out being manufactured now.

Yeah its quite far off the original. Everyone has different standards though I guess. Still probably fun to drive.