Re: tracks [TANKS]

[Bill Hamilton <seeker-at-phoenyx.net>]

> paul dennison wrote:
>>   i want to make metal tracks is white metal anygood
>> or is it to soft to use for track making has i dont have a garage and
>> have to use balcony i live in the city can you help thanks
>> 
>> <http://www.incredimail.com/index.asp?id=409&lang=9>
>
Huh.  I remember seeing the original message, but can't find it in my mail 
now.  Guess I deleted it on accident or something.  :(


White metal is going to be far too soft for this kind of application. 
You can use the stuff to draw on paper; it will wear away far too quickly 
rubbing against rocks and sticks and such while driving around.

Several people use two-part casting resin for their tracks.  You can use 
the same mastering techniques to make the molds for resin that you use for 
white metal.  I've been using Smooth-On's RTV rubber for some projects I'm 
working on.  I've also heard good things about their resin, but I haven't 
used it myself yet.  I've got some in a box waiting for the old stuff I'm 
using to run out.

Production-wise, you can work resin in the same places you can work white 
metal.  I've been doing my pours on my workbench in the dining area of my 
apartment.  Be careful, though, some people are allergic to these 
chemicals.  Wiser people than me would wear gloves and work in a 
well-ventilated place when mixing and pouring the resin.  As far as I know 
if you measure and mix properly, the cured resin is completely safe 
because the active chemicals have all reacted and become inert.


-Bill Hamilton