Mini Review NewLondon88's no cork mold

[NewLondon88]

What about Charlie's Moldy :biggrin::tongue:

What? and ruin a perfectly good name like DooHickey? :tongue:

 

[NewLondon88]

I was thinking of filling it in with some silicone caulk.

Keep in mind that the silicone caulking will permanently bond with the mold.
.. and we're talking about saving about $.15 worth of resin for the second
half of the pour.. probably under $.01 worth of resin in the 'bridge'.

Feel free to do whatever works best for you.. but the two main reasons
for the bridge are 1) it keeps your pen kit together until you're ready
and 2) I needed the space to get my fingers in there!

But that's what worked for me, it may not be the same for you.

 

[sbell111]

I was thinking of filling it in with some silicone caulk.

How would you get it to stay in the bridge?

 

[jason_r]

Keep in mind that the silicone caulking will permanently bond with the mold.

That's what I expected- unless I use a mold release first.
(which I don't have any of).

.. and we're talking about saving about $.15 worth of resin for the second
half of the pour.. probably under $.01 worth of resin in the 'bridge'.

Feel free to do whatever works best for you.. but the two main reasons
for the bridge are 1) it keeps your pen kit together until you're ready

But if I'm only casting 1 half, it's just more clutter. One more thing
to saw off and throw away.

I'm not saying the bridge is a bad idea- it's a great idea
for the role it fills.
There are just times where it's not what I'd want.

and 2) I needed the space to get my fingers in there!

This I don't follow. I'm picturing you having trouble getting the parts
out of the mold. But then I recall the picture of gadget's molds where
the mold just flexes and the parts pop out.

But that's what worked for me, it may not be the same for you.

At this point, all my molds are cutting board rectangles. I do look forward to
the day when I'll have some rubber molds. (need my alumilite order to get here- hurry up FexEx).

Like I said - I was brainstorming. Few ideas survive contact with reality-
it's better to discuss them here ahead of time and fix the problems up front,
or roll improvements into the design.

 

[NewLondon88]

This I don't follow. I'm picturing you having trouble getting the parts
out of the mold. But then I recall the picture of gadget's molds where
the mold just flexes and the parts pop out.

Oh, the parts pop out just fine.

.. but you're putting brass tubes into these molds.

 

[OldWrangler]

I'd like enough molds to to 2-3 Sierras at a time. This is the twist Sierra and not the click button. When they are ready, just invoice me or PM.

Thanks, George

 

[jason_r]

Oh, the parts pop out just fine.

.. but you're putting brass tubes into these molds.

Ahh.. Now I understand the issue.

A marketer would eliminate the bridge and sell a "tube insertion tool" :wink:

I'd better hide before I get shot for making such a suggestion.

 

[NewLondon88]

I'd like enough molds to to 2-3 Sierras at a time. This is the twist Sierra and not the click button.

I made a smaller mold last night, this one holds 4 sets of tubes instead of
6 sets and will be less expensive. But as you can see in the pic, you can
cast one set of tubes at a time if you want. (1 jr gent or two sierras)
You don't have to fill the mold, you can do one cavity at a time

"Ahh.. Now I understand the issue.
A marketer would eliminate the bridge and sell a "tube insertion tool" :wink:

Funny you should mention that... :tongue:

.. the photo shows the tubes being 'popped out' but getting the tubes
in requires just a little extra room

 

[TomW]

I made a smaller mold last night

That's EXACTLY what I'm looking for. Please put me down for one, and send paypal info.

Thanks
Tom

 

[NewLondon88]

I'm not quite ready to sell this one, since the masters break when I de-mold them.
That means making a new set of masters each time I need to make a mold!

I'm working on it .. but it ain't there yet..

 

[titan2]

Looking good!

When you're ready to go live and start selling them let me know! I want to get some.


THANKS,

Barney

 

[DurocShark]

Put me down for one of the small molds for the Jr.

 

[GouletPens]

I'm interested as well...I don't know what you're thinking for a price but I'm interested in all the sizes...esp. sierras and Jr. Statesmans.

 

[TomW]

Charlie,

Status?

should I keep holding my breath?

(really anxious)

Tom

 

[DurocShark]

I now need a mold for Sierras too. Still small though.

 

[NewLondon88]

I had some trouble with getting masters made so I could make the molds, but
as of yesterday some are in the mail to me. The cigars are the first to arrive
followed shortly by the Jr Gents and Sierras. I'll be making molds just as fast
as I can de-mold the last ones. I should probably write up an ad for the
individual classifieds, but I have a list of people who have already asked
for molds in here, too.

Apologies, I really thought I'd be cranking these out about two months ago,
but will be making them this week.

 

[DurocShark]

Thanks for the update. We'll be waiting (im)patiently.

 

[NewLondon88]

Thanks for the update. We'll be waiting (im)patiently.

LOL .. me too. I've been anxious to get these into production before
one of the suppliers sees it and it ends up on page 32 of the catalog..

 

[doddman70]

This is great news!! Have you come up with a price for them yet?

 

[expressm]

I am also interested in pricing.

 

[DurocShark]

I vote for "Free for the first 50 responders in this thread."

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[NewLondon88]

I am also interested in pricing.

Ah . .right. That would help, wouldn't it?

The 4 pair mold is $55. I'm not sure about smaller ones, as they would be
made individually (not a big deal) but would tie up the masters for 24 hours.
(more of a big deal .. stops me from making the 4 pair molds)
However, you don't have to fill all 4 cavities.

Each cavity is 2 tubes. For the cigars, gents etc. that's one full pen kit.
For the sierra types, that's two pens. But since it takes less than an ounce
to pour two pens I don't see that as a huge loss if you only need one pen.
Or (even better) make up extra labels to have on hand for when you only
need to make one .. throw on the extra label and make two. Make up
some labels you know you'll sell later on. I've got a full sheet of piano
keyboard labels and people always like those. (I think it's just that they're
such a high contrast and recognizable pen)

For that matter, make up some labels using the logos for the armed forces.
No need to waste that resin, it makes a great looking pen for the troops.

 

[NewLondon88]

I vote for "Free for the first 50 responders in this thread."

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

LOL ..

ok, I got nothin ..

 

[DurocShark]

What if you made the 4-pair and cut them into quarters? It would give you the same master time down, and you could charge $20 each, netting you $80 per 4 pair.

 

[NewLondon88]

What if you made the 4-pair and cut them into quarters? It would give you the same master time down, and you could charge $20 each, netting you $80 per 4 pair.

Have you ever tried cutting silicone? Kinda like trying to nail Jello to the wall.. :tongue:

 

[DurocShark]

Just a thought. I've been able to cut my home made ones with my bandsaw, but those were made from caulking.

 

[Rollerbob]

Sounds to me like you need a PR man. You know, someone to take the money and such! Great concept.

 

[NewLondon88]

Sounds to me like you need a PR man. You know, someone to take the money and such! Great concept.

Ah .. you mean a wife? :tongue:

 

[NewLondon88]

Just a thought. I've been able to cut my home made ones with my bandsaw, but those were made from caulking.

I've tried cutting them with a razor with limited* success.
I suppose I could take one cycle and make small mold boxes, make
4 at a time and hope the other three get ordered..



*Limited = abysmal

 

[DurocShark]

If you want, I'd be happy to experiment with cutting methods. You can send me a chunk or a failed experiment and I'll run it through all the different methods I have at my disposal.

I feel like I'm getting carried away. I'm not trying to pressure you in any way, just hoping I can help out with a product I think looks really cool.

Feel free to ignore me.

 

[NewLondon88]

If you want, I'd be happy to experiment with cutting methods. You can send me a chunk or a failed experiment and I'll run it through all the different methods I have at my disposal.

I feel like I'm getting carried away. I'm not trying to pressure you in any way, just hoping I can help out with a product I think looks really cool.

Feel free to ignore me.

Naah.. a lot of what went into these molds comes from help like that.
A lot of people gave input. Send me a shipping address, I've got some
failed experiments you can try.. some even have one set that works!

 

[DurocShark]

Sent.

 

[NewLondon88]

Sent