what additive for cast track pads ?

[Doug Conn]

Several people have cast track pads using urethane resins. I think Smooth-On 300 has been a popular choice, right ?

 

Frank mentioned adding some fiberglass to the resin because it needs the increased strength. Has anybody had that experience ?

 

I found some “1/32" Milled Fiber” at http://www.uscomposites.com/fillers.html. Is that the kind of stuff I should think about adding ?

 

               Thanks a lot,

               Doug

[Frank Pittelli]

Doug Conn wrote:
> Frank mentioned adding some fiberglass to the resin because it needs the
> increased strength.

> I found some “1/32" Milled Fiber” at
> http://www.uscomposites.com/fillers.html. Is that the kind of stuff I
> should think about adding ?

I inserted a piece of 9oz fiberglass cloth into each mold cavity after
filling it to give the tread some structural strength. After pouring
the resin, simply lay the pre-cut cloth pieces into each mold and gently
push into the resin using a stick.

Adding in milled fibers would probably be difficult because you only
have a short time to work with the resin and if you change the viscosity
it will be harder to pour into all the mold cavities.

Frank P.

[Doug Conn]

I see. Thanks, Frank. I'm getting ready to order fiberglass supplies for my
turret and I was planning ahead for the tracks.

- Doug "One shipping charge is better than two" Conn

[Odyssey...@aol.com]

are you using an open face mold? a 2 parts mold and injecting the resin into it?

 

i'd just use some small pieces of cloth (one piece per link) in the mold. like frank said, adding that powder stuff will change the thickness of the resin when you go to pour it. 300 or 321 should work fine. just make sure the cloth doesn't stick out the sides of the link, or you'll be getting scratched and itched from handling the tracks all the time.

 

now i didn't use any glass in my links (haven't been tested yet), but used a thicker, stronger resin, Task-4

 

Chris,
Odyssey Slipways

[Odyssey...@aol.com]

oh and you may wish to use a medium to heavy weave as there should be more larger spaces between the strands for the resin to soak through

 

Chris,
Odyssey Slipways

[Doug Conn]

Thanks, Chris.

 

Put those bad boys on your tank and run them around !

 

From: rctank...@googlegroups.com [mailto:rctank...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Odyssey...@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 4:33 PM
To: rctank...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [TANKS] Re: what additive for cast track pads ?

 

are you using an open face mold? a 2 parts mold and injecting the resin into it?

[Andy Schwartz]

What does the aprox. cost come out to per track doing it this method?

 

Andy

----- Original Message -----

From: Doug Conn

To: rctank...@googlegroups.com

Sent: Wednesday, July 01, 2009 3:26 PM

Subject: [TANKS] what additive for cast track pads ?

Several people have cast track pads using urethane resins. I think Smooth-On 300 has been a popular choice, right ?

 

Frank mentioned adding some fiberglass to the resin because it needs the increased strength. Has anybody had that experience ?

 

I found some “1/32" Milled Fiber” at http://www.uscomposites..com/fillers.html. Is that the kind of stuff I should think about adding ?

 

               Thanks a lot,

               Doug

[Odyssey...@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/1/2009 6:05:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, andyma...@yahoo.com writes:

What does the aprox. cost come out to per track doing it this method?

 

Andy

for mine, i had 3 link masters that i molded, the links were about 4" long, about 1/2" thick and 15/16 wide. i just about went through 2 full gallons of resin along with casting 2 track guides per link. i have about 140 links cast. i'd say the cost of materials was about $225.00+

 

Chris,
Odyssey Slipways