Hi,

Has anyone tried to fabricate small rubber parts at home for the old Ford trucks ? I wonder about this, and also how it can be done.


Bill

 

What would you like to make.

I have made engine mounts for my dune buggy out off old conveyor (probably spelled wrong) belt.

 

All kind of parts, pedal pads, just small rubber castings.

Bill

 

I thought about doing that for my 50 F1, but decided I didn't have the patience or money to try to fabricate those parts. It was easier to just order the rubber pedals, etc from aftermarket suppliers.

But if you still want to try to make those rubber parts, Eastwood Automotive sells those kits.

 

So, you don't have a clue about how to heat up rubber and cast small parts ?

I have a lot of rubber... but lack of knowledge.

Bill

 

It is my understanding that you can't melt real rubber and re-cast it to a different shape. It's the main reason why you see 5 story stacks of old tires at landfills etc. Originally, when rubber tires were made for cars, they would get rock hard in winter and sticky in the summer, and you probably could of heated them until they melted. Only with the advent of vulcanization during the rubber making process did rubber take on the characteristics we come to appreciate today. Vulcanization cross-links the molecules in rubber to make an un-meltable final product. I know that kits and materials are available to cast silicon rubber into different shapes. Railroad and other modelers cast silicon molds to make plastic parts. Hope this helps,
Tom

 

With a silicone mold or even a plaster one you can cast Urethane parts. The plaster mold may leave a nasty looking part that may have a little plaster in it depending on how well you seal the surface and coat it with mold release. Silicone molds beautiful urethane parts. Check with model shops or chemical supply houses. Urethane wears well, just look at some of those inline skate wheels. Fabrication and experimentation costs will probably eat you alive though.

 

I had a rattle noise coming from my handrails in my bus.
so I cut some pieces of a biycle tube and put between the handrails and the metal dash.