Photo's for anoraks !!

**ProtoTipo** · 12-07-2016, 16:55

Originally Posted by john

ABL Stevens at Sandbach will make moulds for you if you ask nicely, and reasonable charges.
They also give good practical tips like using a syringe to "de-gas" small quantities of resin so you don't have to shell out on vacuum equipment.
In addition if you really want to have a go yourself there are guides on mould making and casting on their website.

Thanks John,

There's a Word doc. guide to making something similar on their website. I've downloaded it.

**LM mic** · 12-07-2016, 19:24

Chris ; there is absolutly no problem for me to mould in silicon your parts; I did more than 500 different molds for model during 30 years and molding at 1/43 scale even wheel nuts or wipers !!!
When am in France at house ...have sometime left to help you friendly on that

The only issue for with window knobs or watever part to use on our cars is that black ( or noncoloured ) plyurethane resin is not enought stiff to support torsion or small loads on effort ; before to think to do those in resin and spend money in silicone it's advisable to ask to suppliers if they have resin able to afford this use ( On models we had F28 and F31 from AXXON and I don't know any other brand or quality )

**john** · 12-07-2016, 19:35

I would think Epoxy would be the one to use.
I would think you could recover costs quite quickly through selling a good replica part on to the latest batch of builders. Maybe even a small profit!
You have to be really picky on selecting your pattern part because the silicone mould will pick up every imperfection.

**strat24v** · 12-07-2016, 20:03

Maybe speak to Mick Worrall with regard to the type of plastic to use and what sort of mould.

**LM mic** · 12-07-2016, 20:17

Originally Posted by strat24v

Maybe speak to Mick Worrall with regard to the type of plastic to use and what sort of mould.

I think honestly that the best way to remanufacture those parts is from "POM" ( black I sued to have the dimmer ring machined ) and have the part CNC machined
I have close to me specialists workshop in machining this stuff and seems ( after 2 sort of parts done successfully for Strats ) that they are reasonable in prices

**john** · 13-07-2016, 00:14

Well if CNC technology is available at reasonable cost then that is the way to go
I would guess a FIAT window knob mould would cost about £75 from ABL and material costs for each part would not be more than a fiver.
It's down to how many would be a reasonable minimum quantity to get the price down with the CNC route.

**ProtoTipo** · 13-07-2016, 09:14

Thanks Michel, John D, John H.,

Considering all your advice, I think Michel's 'POM' would be the best way. Those pull switch knobs and rheostat rings that Michel had made looked spot on.

I'm only asking because I now have two original Fiat Dino Coupe full diameter (front) black window knobs, but with a spare pair of the chrome wingnuts.
The spare wingnuts need somewhere to live. I think making just one cloned pair of the black plastic parts isn't going to be possible.

Production of the black plastic parts would also need production of the chrome parts. I really don't think there are enough Stratos rep. builders/owners who care enough about this level of authenticity, to make it viable.

**LM mic** · 12-07-2016, 20:13

Originally Posted by john

I would think Epoxy would be the one to use.
I would think you could recover costs quite quickly through selling a good replica part on to the latest batch of builders. Maybe even a small profit!
You have to be really picky on selecting your pattern part because the silicone mould will pick up every imperfection.

Yes you are right John
But you cannot cast only epoxy resin ; you need to add any sort of powder ( alu or watever additive ) plus black pigment and then know what is the right silicone to sue in order this mix will cure