[sdiy] I can print knobs!

[Mike HEQX]

If you can make a mold it should be from the refined master. Meaning you 
can take the printed object and coat it with wax on the outside, then 
polish it to perfection. From there you make a three part mold using 
molding compound from Smooth-On  ( https://www.smooth-on.com/ ). A two 
part mold wouldn't do it with this kind of undercut.

I would love to know who makes splined and smooth inserts for DIY knobs.

I've cast many things with the alloy from old hard drive frames using 
just a plaster mold and wax core. Works like a charm.

Mike



On 4/29/2017 7:50 PM, AlanP wrote:
> On 30/04/2017 10:15 a.m., rsdio at audiobanshee.com wrote:
>> Another idea used by a local Seattle 3D-printing shop is to print one 
>> mold that is the inverse of the desired item, and then mass produce 
>> by pouring into the mold. This allows ceramics (with powder-printed 
>> molds) or other materials. It's also much faster and more dependable 
>> than 3D printing, where a single glitch in the middle of a printing 
>> session can ruin an entire part.
>
> Could they print a two part re-usable mold that could take molten 
> aluminium? I'd love to be able to cast knobs, in the same rough way as 
> people cast lead bullets and musket-balls.
>