custom scale models craftsman kits pattern making casting service spin-casting silicone rubber mold casting pewter resin zinc-aluminum industrial ship boat train
Freshwater Models
Quality Scale Models, Kits, and Casting Service
NEW - CNC Routing Service
I offer limited CNC routing in wood. This allows larger model parts to be made accurately and economically. Great for model ship hulls or hull plug/patterns.
PATTERNMAKING, CNC MILLING, AND CASTING SERVICES
Freshwater Models offers patternmaking and casting services as relates to scale models.
Computer model rendering and 9" mold for producing model pillow blocks for .020" shaft.
Parts can vary in size from a fraction of an ounce to a few ounces. Generally speaking I make small detail parts that have relatively thin cross section and fit inside a 3" X5" area with the largest part I have made being about 8" long. Larger polyurethane parts can be gravity cast in RTV silicone rubber molds. I have capability to spin-cast Britannia (lead free pewter), polyurethane resin, wax, and zinc-aluminum.
Cast parts begin with design. I use Rhinoceros 4 3D solid modeling software to design parts to be CNC machined or exported for 3D printing.
Pattern making is done using a variety of methods including hand machining and fabrication of plastic or brass, computer 3D modeling for cnc machining and 3D printing. 3D printing is especially useful in small parts. 3D printing is done by a service provider specializing in 3D printing. On occasion I use 3D laser scans for producing computer models for 3D printing.
Laser scan rendering of 2.75" diameter part and picture of 1:4 scale model part.
Molds for producing production patterns are made using a variety of vulcanized and RTV silicone rubber compounds. Production patterns are cast in Britannia to produce production molds. I have a vacuum chamber for degassing RTV as well as a pressure chamber.
Production molds are vulcanized silicone rubber which are available in sizes 9" diameter to 18" diameter. I have two vulcanizers capable of vulcanizing up to an 18" diameter mold.
Casting is accomplished in two efficient front loading spin-casting machines including a smaller analog machine and a larger digital machine. The simple operation of these machines make them easy to use and time efficient saving you money.
Please contact me for an estimate or for more information on the feasibility of casting your parts.
You can also check out my terms and fees page.