[Voodoo]

That is BEAUTIFUL! I want one. (Obviously.)

I actually laughed out loud at the shot of the Onyx. I have so been there. Last night, I was working tired and tipped a mold and ran that stuff down my WHITE kitchen cabinets. My wife was thrilled. What was I to do, the Tour was on, I couldn't work in my work room, no tv.

Hmmm. It's a shame someone isn't already casting those large dials in black onyx. Oh wait. . . I do that. I'd be glad to send you a sample and work out a deal. Just sayin'

[Voodoo]

Charlie,

I tried to PM you but I am getting that "message title" error again. Drop me a PM so I can respond to it. I'd like to talk to you seriously about the large dials.

Thanks.

Dana (Voodoo)

[Quartermaster]

I'm in! :duim:

[TD-252]

crashmann, on 07 July 2010 - 02:41 AM, said:

The parts were printed using Somos 11122 and cast in Mold Max 40 silicone. I think because of the way the parts are grown, one micro-thin layer at a time, this creates ridges on the vertical surfaces, and if it is not sealed with paint, then the silicone grips onto it.

This past weekend I continued plucking, scraping, and cleaning the little bits off the faceplate. Sanded the edges and valleys with 320 grit sandpaper. Then I hit it with Testors gray primer and sanded with 600 grit between coats. Once the primer was cured, I put on a couple layers of Rustoleum Satin Black.

Warning - Do not put 3D printed parts in your hot car to cure the paint!

Funky warping and craziness will ensue!

So I wrestled to get that straightened out...

I layed on two coats of Mann's Ease Release and used a medium paintbrush to ensure it got into all of the corners. Mixed up the remainder of the Mold Max 40 and de-gassed it on the vac table:

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/mold_max_40_degassing.jpg

I carefully poured the silicone onto the radio faceplate and started the 24 hour clock, waiting for it to cure.

This evening I was very pleased to find the silicone mold separated from the faceplate with ease, and every detail was captured!

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_mold.jpg

Time to pour some Black Onyx!

Supposedly it has a pot life of 2 1/2 minutes. But at 87 degrees Fahrenheit, it's only 90 seconds!

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_wavy_gravy.jpg

Fortunately, it came out of the mold very easily. Take two turned out this beauty:

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_01_small.jpg

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_02.jpg

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_03.jpg

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_04.jpg

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_05_small.jpg

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_06.jpg

So, the faceplate mold is good to go, and I can ramp up and make a bunch of them. However, the big knob did not survive the sticky silicone extraction, so we have to get that one printed again :(

Depending on when the big knob arrives, I should have kits ready to go in two weeks!

Charlie

Beautiful work Charlie.
You know i need one, when you are ready for me ;)

[Darth Voorhees]

How are things goin with this Charlie! Im antsy in my pantsy to get one! LOL! :lol:

[Volumino]

Darth Voorhees, on 01 August 2010 - 12:26 AM, said:

How are things goin with this Charlie! Im antsy in my pantsy to get one! LOL! :lol:

Yeah, me, too. I can't wait to get one cause my pack is waiting for an accurate faceplate and without that, my TM Sandtrooper is still not finished :(

[DarthChridan]

crashmann, on 07 July 2010 - 09:41 AM, said:

The parts were printed using Somos 11122 and cast in Mold Max 40 silicone. I think because of the way the parts are grown, one micro-thin layer at a time, this creates ridges on the vertical surfaces, and if it is not sealed with paint, then the silicone grips onto it.

This past weekend I continued plucking, scraping, and cleaning the little bits off the faceplate. Sanded the edges and valleys with 320 grit sandpaper. Then I hit it with Testors gray primer and sanded with 600 grit between coats. Once the primer was cured, I put on a couple layers of Rustoleum Satin Black.

Warning - Do not put 3D printed parts in your hot car to cure the paint!

Funky warping and craziness will ensue!

So I wrestled to get that straightened out...

I layed on two coats of Mann's Ease Release and used a medium paintbrush to ensure it got into all of the corners. Mixed up the remainder of the Mold Max 40 and de-gassed it on the vac table:

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/mold_max_40_degassing.jpg

I carefully poured the silicone onto the radio faceplate and started the 24 hour clock, waiting for it to cure.

This evening I was very pleased to find the silicone mold separated from the faceplate with ease, and every detail was captured!

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_mold.jpg

Time to pour some Black Onyx!

Supposedly it has a pot life of 2 1/2 minutes. But at 87 degrees Fahrenheit, it's only 90 seconds!

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_wavy_gravy.jpg

Fortunately, it came out of the mold very easily. Take two turned out this beauty:

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_01_small.jpg

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_02.jpg

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_03.jpg

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_04.jpg

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_05_small.jpg

http://tk386.com/remotepix/sandtrooper/Zenix_Victory_75_06.jpg

So, the faceplate mold is good to go, and I can ramp up and make a bunch of them. However, the big knob did not survive the sticky silicone extraction, so we have to get that one printed again :(

Depending on when the big knob arrives, I should have kits ready to go in two weeks!

Charlie

Oh, the new panel in my kit with it?

[crashmann]

At last, the radios are available for sale in this thread!

http://forum.mepd.ne...?showtopic=7071

$145 including shipping for the US

$165 for international

If you can make a payment by Thursday night, then I'll ship out your radio this week. If not, then get in the second run starting August 17th.

Charlie