Casting Propellers

[steamschooner]

Awhile back I decided I wanted to replace the left handed propeller on my " John Cudahy " project with a right handed prop.

So I carved a four blade right hand propeller. Then I thought I might as well see if I could cast some extras.

 

Starting with some vulcanizing rubber and a round mold frame I added a bottom layer of red vulcanizing rubber. I than pressed the master pattern into the rubber as deep as I could and added rubber under the blades. To create a parting line around the edge of all four blades.The prop and rubber was than cooked to harden it up.

 

Once the bottom was done I used a liquid room temp vulcanizing rubber and poured it over the bottom half. It needed several days to set up at which time I cut the softer upper layer in half and removed the master pattern. I had included four position pegs in the mold so it can only be reassembled one way.

 

To mount the mold in the centrifugal I cut two plywood disks just slightly larger than the mold. one for the back side and one with a hole that lined up with the fill hole in the mold. using four quick clamps the mold was mounted in the centrifugal's cradle and lined up with the crucible.

 

In the melt pot I heated up some Cerro Cast alloy to use in the mold.

 

When things were ready I spooned in some liquid cerro cast into the crucible and pulled the pin.Stood back and let it spin.

 

The first few try's showed a couple of kinks which were taken care of.I ended up making four propellers  which I can use for other projects.

 

Using some files I cleaned up the flash and did a little more shaping. Once I was happy with it I sandblasted the whole propeller. 

 

This was my first time trying to cast a propeller and after tweeking the mold a little I am getting good throws each time.

[druxey]

Nicely executed, steamschooner!

[steamschooner]

Thank's druxey, I am happy with my results and know I can make more as needed.

Here is the one for my " John Cudahy " all colored up and with a ruler.

[reklein]

Where did you get your casting machine and other equipment. Please.

[TBlack]

On 4/16/2017 at 1:41 PM, steamschooner said:

So I carved a four blade right hand propeller

From my point of view, this is the brilliance in this project.

Tom

[steamschooner]

Bill,  The melting pot I ordered on line, there are a number of places that sell them. The Contenti Company for one.

The centrifugal, A friend in Portland knew of a bare bones used one which I bought. I added the crucible and had a old washing machine tub to put it in. If I start using higher temp metals I will add a lid for safety. I think most large Jewelry making supply places will carry melt pots and centrifigals.

The Cerro Cast that I use I bought from a Foundry supply in Portland Oregon. The same place I got the crucible.

The vulcanizing rubber, both kinds I purchased from the Contenti Co.

 

Thanks Tom. A big learning curve on this one.

[reklein]

Thanks, I was trained to do lost wax casting on a centrifuge in Navt Dental tech school. Just looks like a fun thing to try again. I do a little resin work now and then but its not like casting metal.   BILL