what to use as a cheap material for a prototype

[Piero]

ok

The the original front single swing link on a vespa is cast ali

for now, I have welded two bits of smaller ali up to make the one size i need

if it all goes to plan, ill buy a chunk of ali and re machine that (having learnt any work holding issues out)

 

[Screwdriver]

melt the wax over a pan of water.
preferably outside.
safe enough if you are careful

Melting wax is of course trivially easy but I will need more than 100C to melt plastic!

Something like an oil bath would work but you'd have to be a LOT more careful with oil at around 200C.

I have successfully made some sugar glass for a film prop and that stuff gets very (very) hot so I'm quite familiar with the process. Did a fair bit of work with molten lead too, that might be a useful mechanism but the last thing I did (on this very website) is melt some paraffin wax over a stove so...

 

[Turbo]

...and mahogany turns beautifully. Other woods are available but I came across a stack of mahogany window frames in a skip so...

That's good to know as I just acquired a mahogany door & I've ripped it into planks.

 

[Screwdriver]

That's good to know as I just acquired a mahogany door & I've ripped it into planks.

Would you believe I made a tiny part for the headlamp adjusters on my old VWT4. I had an mot booked and needed one in a hurry...

Made out of mahogany, I think it's still there. Quite a complex castellated sort of nut/insert thingy.

 

[bigegg]

Melting wax is of course trivially easy but I will need more than 100C to melt plastic!

Something like an oil bath would work but you'd have to be a LOT more careful with oil at around 200C.

I have successfully made some sugar glass for a film prop and that stuff gets very (very) hot so I'm quite familiar with the process. Did a fair bit of work with molten lead too, that might be a useful mechanism but the last thing I did (on this very website) is melt some paraffin wax over a stove so...

It doesn't melt: it dissolves. like dissolving copper into molten aluminium (or salt into water). It doesnt have to be at the higher melting point.

 

[Screwdriver]

It doesn't melt: it dissolves. like dissolving copper into molten aluminium (or salt into water). It doesnt have to be at the higher melting point.

Wow. OK well that is interesting, you are suggesting the wax acts like a solvent. I remain skeptical but am definitely having a go at that!

If it doesn't dissolve I'll just keep heating until the plastic melts.

 

[bigegg]

Wow. OK well that is interesting, you are suggesting the wax acts like a solvent. I remain skeptical but am definitely having a go at that!

If it doesn't dissolve I'll just keep heating until the plastic melts.

i believe so.