MaxCorvette

I did virginian, very impressed also!

But I wanted a mold because the hatches on a cat tend to get damaged after a while by blow-overs and such.
I had one violent blow-over at high winds/waves and the hatch got pressed back into the cat, onto the motor.
This cracked the hatch good, luckily I have a mold and can make another one. Must admit that I haven't done that yet.
I repaired it...
Have made a few hatches for other builder though.

But off coarse a hatch made of balsa like yours will work also, and I was really impressed by the good balsa modeling you did.

Marcel

KD0EM

Hello, Thought I better get an update posted, I Have got all the bondo done on the canopy, just need to do a bit of touch up work to do with some touch up filler then start to put on a few coats of primer. I also made two other plugs, one for the nacaducts and one for the heat output vents. Marcel what tool did you use to cut the canopy hatch out of the top deck?
Harold

MaxCorvette

Very Impressed harold!!![sm=shades_smile.gif]
Canopy looks great! Nacaducts and output vents look great also.
This will really be a reference project for other builders, good job.

I used a tool that uses hacksaw blades, very easy to cut through the deck and ribs.

NeoGenesis

My Feedback: (27)

Well.....you guys have done it now.

I couldn't wait any longer....I ordered up the CNC kit just now. I thought about cutting them all myself....but knew that would never happen while trying to juggle 3 kids and a Great Dane running around. This thread is awesome...I can't wait to get started!!!!


Neo

KD0EM

Hi NeoGenesis, Cool I think you are going to have alot of fun building the CNC cut kit, did you order the V1 or the V2 kit?
If you would like to, you could send the Great Dane to me and I could watch him/her for you while you do this build. Hope you start a new build thread, it will be fun to watch it come to life.
Harold

thevirginian

Great job on that cowl, Harold. You really take pride in your work.[sm=thumbup.gif]

NeoGenesis

My Feedback: (27)

According to the link in post #204...it's supposed to be the V2 kit...and was listed online as the Maxcat Big. I can't wait to get it....this is my first boat build....but I've got more than a few planes under my belt. Right now the only part that really worries me is glassing the hull. I've got no experience with it....so if anyone has any good links or advice...I would love to hear it.

Neo

KD0EM

Hello NeoGenesis, Check ou this thread.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7912646/tm.htm

KD0EM

Hello, I have cut the canopy hatch out of the hull deck, it don’t look that great right now but it will be better when I get all the supports and flanges for the canopy hatch to set on put in, the canopy hatch is going to be used for a plug to make a mold.
Harold

KD0EM

Hello every one, I have got all the supports put in the hull hatch opening and the flange a round the canopy hatch cover, I might start priming the canopy to day, I am going to pull a mold off this so that I can make a fiber glass canopy for the cat.
Harold

KD0EM

I got one coat of primer on the canopy; I need to use some glazing putty sand and primer a few more times to get it to come out perfect, then paint and clear coat it.
Harold

MaxCorvette

Starting to look as a real cat!
This part is a lot of work, and that all for 1 canopy/hatch.....I know, did it also...
But Harold there is no need to paint and clearcoat the plug. make it as smooth/sharp as you want in primer/putty.
Then just apply the looseningwax and PVA onto the primer when you start for the mold.

Marcel

KD0EM

Hi Marcel, Thank you for the comments and tips, I was not sure if I needed to paint & clear coat the plug.
However the primer, paint and clear coat if I use it, I found in a box that my sun has stored there, I don't
think he will miss it. LOL What type of wax do I need to pick up for the plug? I was also thinking of using
buffing and palishing compond on it.
Harold

MaxCorvette

I use Carnauba wax, and PVA also. my plug was trashed when I only used the wax so these days I always use PVA also.
Waterproof sand the plug and then use the wax, that should be enough.
In the end you will paint the hatch anyway, so small iregularities won't be visible.
But as always, the better quality plug, the better quality the mold will be.

Marcel

thevirginian

Harold,
To be on the absolute safe side, see if you can buy a pint of "Partall" or also simply called "parting agent" from this place in FL. His web site is www.raka.com. After wax on - buff off, wax on - buff off (remember that one from "The Karate Kid")
spray or brush a thin coat of that stuff on and you will never have a problem separating the two parts. The canopy looks too good to be messed up. Just out of curiosity, how much does she weigh now?

KD0EM

Hello, I have got the canopy painted with some old spray and Emerald Green acrylic lacquer paint that I found in the garage, I am buffing it out with turtle wax polishing compound, I need to go over it a few more times to get the high gloss that I am looking for. Thank you Virginian for the comment and the tip on where to get the partall, as for how much does she weigh now, I am not sure, I will see if I can find a way to weigh it.
Harold

martno1fan

Looks really good mate,i use release wax i got from a fibreglass suppliers,i use 6 coats of wax buffing between coats then i sponge on 2 coats of pva release agent no need to spray it just use a sponge .Once its dry paint your gelcoat on i do 2 coats then i start laying my glass when the gelcoat is dry to the touch but still a little tacky.Any detailing i mix up a paste first with the resin and some chopped strands,paint this into tricky corners and such then paint your resin on then add your matt or cloth.5-6 layers is good for a mould i find,i lay 2 layers at a time let it go off trim any exess while its still green then a quick sand blow off any particles and wipe with acetone and lay more on top 2 layers at a time.
Mart

Paul M

Harold,

How did you plan out the indention for the windscreen? and...How did you go about carving it out? I have done that before on a homemade canopy and it was hard. Was wondering if you discovered any tricks to get your looking so nice.

Thanks,

Paul

Dreamin Hemi

PVA definately is going to assist in the release, however brushing it on even with a sponge will only lead to lots of extra work getting the mold perfect. PVA won't settle down flat, just like brushing paint, it will leave brush marks...marks that transfer to your mold. If it's too heavy, it can run and dried pooling of pva might as well be a divot in each and every hull you build in your molds. Spraying is your absolutely best option for the application of pva. Makes it uniform and you can gradually build evenly to create a perfect high gloss finish that will produce a mold with the same glossy luster which essentially transfers to glossy parts without imperfections or brush strokes from your molds.

Use a brush to apply pva and you're wetsanding and buffing your molds to get them right.

MaxCorvette

That's all true Dreamin Hemi says....
But Harold is not making a plug of the boat only of the canopy.
And at first this will be a one off hatch, maybe in future others will want the same canopy but buying all that equipment is a large investment for something so insecure.
I did do it the spongue way and yes it will leave very light 'brush' marks, but it costs a lot less to smooth the mold with waterproof and buff it again then buying all that spray equipment.
And it is not that much work to smooth it again.
So for a one off it should be ok the way you are doing it.
A one off mold doesn't need to be as sturdy also. It can be made sturdy later if you want to sell it.
It's not a boat hull that needs to be very straight and exact.

But Harold if you do want to make a good quality mold then do follow Dreamin Hemi and Marts suggestions, these guys have a lot of experience by now.
Look at what they both made, very nice and good projects gentlemen!!

Marcel

Dreamin Hemi

Supppose I just misunderstood. Didn't realize it was only a one-off hatch. Very cool design by the way. I think someone asked already, but how did you get your what appears to be a recessed windshield incorporated into your design? Fantastic job, and a great looker.

-Scott

KD0EM

Hello Dreamin Hemi, and Marcel, Thank you both for the comments. I have got to run right now to have blood work done,
I will reply to the ?'s as soon as I get back.
Harold

KD0EM

Hello Scott, Thank you for the comments, as for the recessed windshield, years back I built a Top Flite Cessna 182 Skylane, in the kit there was these vinyl strips used for making the corrugated look on the flaps and rudder and stuff, they are triangle 2mm X 2mm X 2.5mm X 24”, I sketched the out line of the windshield onto the plug after doing all the bondo work, Then I used CA glue the strips around the out line of the windshield, I had to use a heat gun to make the two sharp bends, after getting it glued on I then used bondo to feather from the high point back over the plug, I used the high points as a guide to run the squeegee on. I took some pictures of the strips so you can see what I used.
Harold

thevirginian

Harold,
I like your creativity. It shows your level of skill and ingenuity[sm=thumbup.gif].

KD0EM

Hello, I thought I better get these two plugs ready to mold at the same time I mold the canopy, I am going to take Marcel’s advice and just mold over the primer and not painting them.
Harold