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View Full Version : Help - Need To Make a Mold



Greg Guimond
11-23-2017, 08:46 AM
My 16 OB, The Mule, finally sprung a leak in it's fuel tank.

In my boat the tank is under the splashwell all the way back. I am thinking I may just leave the old tank in place to avoid all the cuts and install a new belly tank in front of it. On the 16's you can pull up the 30" long floor locker and expose the keel. What products could I use to make a mold of the "curve" of the keel that could then be removed? My goal is to follow the exact curve of the keel and then use that base to give to my shop to create the shape of the base of the tank to use every inch of space. The only thing that came to mind was soaking a thin piece of 13" wide Luan Plywood in water overnight, then drop it down into the keel with a heavy round pipe on it and come back a few days later! Not the greatest idea I'm sure.

Anyone have thoughts?

penbroke
11-24-2017, 08:17 PM
Maybe some type of plaster of paris / paper mache product spread over waxed paper or plastic wrap laid down on the inside of the hull?...


Frank

f_inscreenname
11-25-2017, 12:51 AM
You could always line it with wax paper and pour in 2 part expanding foam. The you would have foam model.

penbroke
11-29-2017, 08:20 PM
You could always line it with wax paper and pour in 2 part expanding foam. The you would have foam model.

That's even better!


Frank

f_inscreenname
11-30-2017, 12:01 AM
Save some foam when pouring it throw some soda or water bottles in it to fill up some space.

Greg Guimond
11-30-2017, 07:06 AM
Thanks, good idea for sure. What kind of foam would you suggest?

Ghost
11-30-2017, 09:42 AM
http://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html

3 or 4 lb/cubic foot

f_inscreenname
11-30-2017, 11:55 PM
http://www.uscomposites.com/foam.html

3 or 4 lb/cubic foot

Hell Mike I would use the 2lbs for just making a mold.

Ghost
12-01-2017, 02:08 AM
Hell Mike I would use the 2lbs for just making a mold.

I thought that too—looked and their web site specifically says use 3 or 4 for a mold. Maybe that recommendation is if you need to shape/cut it a bunch rather than just pulling it out.

f_inscreenname
12-02-2017, 05:01 PM
I thought that too—looked and their web site specifically says use 3 or 4 for a mold. Maybe that recommendation is if you need to shape/cut it a bunch rather than just pulling it out.

Anyway its just a couple bucks difference. :worthy: