Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Fw: Formica

[Ed Greany <crest25@attglobal.net>]

This makes perfect sense to me now. I guess I was assuming you could
also do curves.
I tried back in 1974 to make something in fiberglass using Formica but
didn't have much luck and gave it up only to use a fiberglass mold
instead. I had a contract to make a medicine dispenser for the Scripps
Hospital in San Diego and thought Formica being nice and hard and flat
would work if I waxed it real well. I suppose it would have except for
the 90-degree corners and edges which it didn't like to release from. I
always use McGuires Release Paste Wax on all my work - plugs, molds, and
product - and have always had excellent results.

Regards

Ed

Chris Crouch wrote:
> 
> We used Formica as our mold surface when we can because of it's simplicity.
> With a little mold release the part comes off nicely leaving a beautiful
> finish, the only side-effect is the static buildup you get from pulling the
> part (in the summer it can make your hair stand on end, & the winter it
> builds up enought to give you a not so nice supriseing shock.
> 
> The downside of formica is that you can only pull 3-8 parts before the
> rubber cement starts to give and you can't really pull any tight cruves with
> it.
> 
> Chris
> 
> Man, have I really been around that long? Good luck and if you have any
> specific questions drop me a line.
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Ed Greany" <crest25@attglobal.net>
> To: <personal_submersibles@psubs.org>
> Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2000 10:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Fw: Formica
> 
> > Hi Joe,
> >
> > Thanks for the info. 11/99 thread. That's pretty good archiving.
> >
> > I have to admit we had tons of Formica on board the SSBN I was on but it
> > was always glued to the stainless steel cabinets and bulkheads. I have
> > literally no knowledge of its use as a mold. I guess I always thought it
> > came in flat sheets and to make a boat hull mold out of it is quite
> > interesting. That's another reason I like this site. Always eager to
> > learn what the other guy knows.
> >
> > I have reservations about the statement Chris made about mirror-like
> > surfaces by laminating on Formica. I'd like to learn more about that.
> >
> > Thanks again.
> >
> > Ed
> >
> > Marsee Skidmore wrote:
> > >
> > > Ed,
> > >
> > > I saved this string from way back. Looks to me like it may answer some
> of
> > > your questions. I submit it with obeisance to Chris. - Joe
> > >
> > > >