Jump to content
Due to a large amount of spamers, accounts will now have to be approved by the Admins so please be patient. ×
IGNORED

Build a Fiberglass Mould from a Plastic Panel?


Recommended Posts

Anything is possible, just depends on the tools and skills available to you.

 

Some equipment for this stuff can be expensive. As an example we would all like a CAD cutter to knock out cabinets but to hard to have a home one :(

 

Will be interested to see what others have to say.

 

I remember somebody on here built their own Plastic Vacuum Forming machine.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The tools and raw materials aren't a problem... just the skills! Worried that the fiberglass chemicals will melt the plastic.

 

I have had it suggested to me elsewhere to build a shallow timber box, fill it with plaster of paris, then dip the plastic into it. Wait for it to set, remove the plastic, then there's the mold. Thoughts? PoP also gets hot while setting doesn't it?

 

Also, if you're looking into CNC stuff, have a look at X-Carve from Inventables. Great price for a reasonably large bed (800x800mm).

 

EDIT: Until it gets caught up in customs...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you go down the path of a plaster mold, use a spray on release agent to the plastic or you may find it rather difficult to remove the panel from the plaster mold. This also applies when forming the new part. Spray the mold with the release agent first.

 

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

done this before. most times i would just use a good masking tape or tinfoil to cover the thing your making a mold of, depending on what it is and how many your want to make off the mold then maybe use some mdf or ply for some reinforcing

making a proper mold is a lot of work and IMO only worth doing if your planing on making lots and lots

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys. I might reconsider the need for a mold.

 

I'm actually trying to fix this panel. You can see the damage in the top left corner of the side panel.

 

Any suggestions on repairing this?

 

519bf5a41a_ga.jpeg.82bd3bc70dad4f5c1cba93880485d7d8.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks guys. I might reconsider the need for a mold.

 

I'm actually trying to fix this panel. You can see the damage in the top left corner of the side panel.

 

Any suggestions on repairing this?

 

Fibreglass it from the inside to the rough shape on the outside

Then bog and paint the outside

 

You can fill the hole with plasticine from the outside before fibreglassing so that the shape is pretty right for the fibreglass

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

That panel is vacuum formed. That's not to say a replacement couldn't be made from fibreglass or something else.

 

Try a small (hidden) spot with your chosen repair method to make sure it works and will adhere to the plastic as many plastics used for vacuum forming don't glue well - some not at all.

 

Making a mould for that would be a very complex exercise indeed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...