Best mold sheet to use?

backyardskier · Post by **backyardskier** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 5:58 pm

Just made some mold ribs today, to save some time and mdf I want to use a sheet of either plastic or metal. But I do not want to use any thing to thick that will alter the shape of the ski profile.

What have you guys found that is thin and will not compress down with a gap of .25" to .5"?

troublemaker · Post by **troublemaker** » Sun Nov 18, 2012 8:30 pm

Roof flashing works well. Home Depot has Aluminum and galvanized that's 24" wide, they have different widths too. I bought a 24"x50' roll of galvanized steel for $50. They also have flat sheets that are 3'x5' but your going to have a seem.

vinman · Post by **vinman** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:22 am

3/16 Masonite at least. If it is only ribs with spaces in between you need something to make a nice smooth base or else risk some press thru from the ribs.

falls · Post by **falls** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:33 am

How are you guys attaching the masonite to the mold?
My molds are full width MDF ribs, but I am thinking it would be good to cover these with a thin sheet of masonite 0r maybe plywood. My idea is to cover it and the ribs with a thin coat of epoxy and then press it on and cure. Any good? (bit worried about what happens to the epoxy every time it heats up again during a real pressing)
Otherwise screws?

skidesmond · Post by **skidesmond** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:31 am

I used 3/4 mdf to cover my mold between the tip/tail blocks so it meets my tip/tail blocks evenly. I do not fasten the mdf to the mold since my tip/tail blocks are adjustable.

skimann20 · Post by **skimann20** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 4:47 am

skidesmond wrote:I used 3/4 mdf to cover my mold between the tip/tail blocks so it meets my tip/tail blocks evenly. I do not fasten the mdf to the mold since my tip/tail blocks are adjustable.

same here.

ben_mtl · Post by **ben_mtl** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 8:11 am

Used to use MDF too between the tip molds and also over the "main mold" ribs to have a smooth surface...
Found out MDF used horizontally + pressure + heat = MDF compresses, see one of my last topics for more details. Since then I removed the MDF sheet over the "main mold" ribs and switched to Plywood for the sheet between tip molds... still have to check overtime how it's going...

knightsofnii · Post by **knightsofnii** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 8:41 am

we use 16ga steel, takes a few pressings for it to comform 100%, but when under pressure its fine.

Brazen · Post by **Brazen** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 1:25 pm

.063 aluminum sheet.

backyardskier · Post by **backyardskier** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 1:33 pm

Vinman wrote:3/16 Masonite at least. If it is only ribs with spaces in between you need something to make a nice smooth base or else risk some press thru from the ribs.

something like this ?
http://www.homedepot.com/Lumber-Composi ... Kqkoo41i3Y

Brazen · Post by **Brazen** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 2:54 pm

Just use a softer, like 5053 .063 aluminum. Seriously. Coat the aluminum with mold release,counter sink your screws along the outer 2 ribs, route a channel in the form under the aluminum sheet for your heat blankets and be done with it. It's the way everyone does it...unless you just want to get weird about it for no reason.

backyardskier · Post by **backyardskier** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:07 pm

Brazen wrote:Just use .063 aluminum. Seriously. Coat the aluminum with mold release,counter sink your screws along the outer 2 ribs, route a channel in the form under the aluminum sheet for your heat blankets and be done with it. It's the way everyone does it...unless you just want to get weird about it for no reason.

Seriously where can I buy this in 24" x 80".

Brazen · Post by **Brazen** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:08 pm

At any metal supply company?

backyardskier · Post by **backyardskier** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:26 pm

Will the Aluminum work well with a vacuum press? Dumb questions but got to ask them to find out.

Brazen · Post by **Brazen** » Mon Nov 19, 2012 3:28 pm

ahhh, not sure...on the face of it I don't see why it wouldn't work, but I've never used a vacuum set up. Sorry I didn't see that )

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Best mold sheet to use?

Best mold sheet to use?