How to make a vibramute mold?

[mikethemod1992]

i'm making 2 of them for somebody, for sandcasting purposes.

[Mr. Bill]

Back in the days when I did sandcasting models, we had to allow for a 3% (I think) shrinkage rate with aluminum. Meaning when the Aluminum cooled it shrunk by about 3%, so the models had to be made 3% oversized.

[mostlyrite]

Correct. The whole idea of making a Vibramute (a key part of the sound chain in any Mosrite) of any sort of resin, no matter what it's mixed with, is more than a bit ridiculous. There are strength and sonic issues beyond those of appearance. That clear resin is a polyester hobbyist's resin, has little strength compared to aluminum and is brittle to boot.

I'm speaking as a player, luthier, and patternmaker of three decades' experience.

Patterns for sand casting were typically handbuilt from hardwood (usually mahogany or poplar), about 3% larger (measurements are taken with a scale graduated 3% larger, called a shrink rule.)

Now, the way to do this is with a 3D scanner (I have one) and scanning software, which can then output an .stl file for stereolithography, with the 3% oversize built into the digital file.

Next, the 3D file is loaded into a 3D printer--mine is a Z-Print 450--and a prototype is printed which is then cleaned up and then used to make the sand mold halves.

There is also a metal material that can be 3D printed, but it only produces rough parts.

Anyone have a Vibramute that they want to lend as a pattern? Contact me.

[popp]

Correct. The whole idea of making a Vibramute (a key part of the sound chain in any Mosrite) of any sort of resin, no matter what it's mixed with, is more than a bit ridiculous. There are strength and sonic issues beyond those of appearance. That clear resin is a polyester hobbyist's resin, has little strength compared to aluminum and is brittle to boot.

I'm speaking as a player, luthier, and patternmaker of three decades' experience.

Patterns for sand casting were typically handbuilt from hardwood (usually mahogany or poplar), about 3% larger (measurements are taken with a scale graduated 3% larger, called a shrink rule.)

Now, the way to do this is with a 3D scanner (I have one) and scanning software, which can then output an .stl file for stereolithography, with the 3% oversize built into the digital file.

Next, the 3D file is loaded into a 3D printer--mine is a Z-Print 450--and a prototype is printed which is then cleaned up and then used to make the sand mold halves.

There is also a metal material that can be 3D printed, but it only produces rough parts.

Anyone have a Vibramute that they want to lend as a pattern? Contact me.

Interesting... I'd love to see your work. I started to create a waterproof and printable model in MOI 3d ( a nurbs modeller ). Unfortunately my learning curve isn't that good - work and family and my own lazyness keeping me away from it... *sigh*

[Veenture]

The whole idea of making a Vibramute (a key part of the sound chain in any Mosrite) of any sort of resin, no matter what it's mixed with, is more than a bit ridiculous. There are strength and sonic issues beyond those of appearance.

"strength and sonic issues" entered my mind too but with zero experience did not dare to air my doubts. It should be interesting to testdrive a resin one though...