IRFCA Mailing List Archive
Messages 4181 - 4200
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Materials required for Models
Date: 10 Nov 1998 23:55:36 -0500
Note from Apurva the engineer,
Araldite is the brand name of the two component epoxy - it takes 24
hours to
set. There is also a 5 minute equivalent of this stuff called Fevitite
which
gels in 5 minutes but cures in 24 hours. There is also a type of
expanded PVC
sheets available in the Indian Market called 'Forex' which can be cut,
milled,
drilled and even tapped. It is much stronger than expanded polystyrene
(thermocole) and is available in sheets from 1 mm thick to blocks many
inches
thick. The stuff known as RTV is also available in India - it is Rs. 200
for a
tube of 100 gms or so.
As far are casting and moulding is concerned - brass, aluminum can be
easily
sand cast with wooden patterns. The going rate is around Rs. 100 per KG.
But
then this job is quite rough and will have to be finished. There is also
gravity
cast process which uses a steel mould (quite easily made by a skilled
fabricator) which will have less finish problems. I am currently in the
middle
of getting a part developed (maybe sand cast) and will pass on the
experience of
this venture to the gang. Please also consider materials such as Acrylic
sheet
and Bakelite laminate which can also be machined easily.
Will our friendly dentist tell us how the dentures are made from plaster
of
paris moulds ?
How expensive is his stuff ?
Apurva
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: Re: Exhibition on Wheels!!
Date: 11 Nov 1998 00:00:20 -0500
Gang !
Before this train went to Mumbai it was here in Pune for a few days. I
did see it - there were various exhibits from the zonal railways, the
manufacturing facilities (CLW, DLW, DCW, ICF etc), the R&D facilities
like RDSO and from manufacturers like cement and steel suppliers. This
is special through vestibuled 14 coach train with a genset car at one
end. But there is nothing special to report. There are some
outstanding models (specially a WG from Asansol and a YP from
Bandikui) but most of
the models are out of scale rough jobs. There are working models of an
EMU rake and an absolute block section. Some large sized pictures and
some audio visual presentations. If it comes to your city, go and see
it but do no expect much from it. The rake has wide doors (similar) to
the type found in the luggage section of a brake van. This forms a
great vantage point to see passing trains at eye level - higher than
platform level. I was stuck in the rake for an hour or so due to heavy
rains.
Apurva
P.S.
The RCF corner in this exhibition had a cutaway model of the new
IRY/IR20 coach.
SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI wrote:
> Hi! Everyone on the list,
>
> One look at today's TOI , Mumbai edition. And a advt. placed by
Western Railway
> -- about this exhibition. Here is the route it is to take in next few
days.
> Enroute you can visit , if anyone of you reside nearby. Yesterday it
was in
> Mumbai CST, but only for a day & as you can expect from CR, without
prior
> notice.
>
> The Exhibition moves thus---
>
> Mumbai Central 11th Nov
>
> Valsad 12th
>
> Navsari 13th
>
> Surat 14th
>
> Bharuch 15th
>
> Vadodara 16th
>
> Rajkot 17th
>
> Porbandar 18th
>
> Palanpur/Mehasana 19th
>
> Ahmedabad 21st
>
> Anand/Nadiad 22nd
>
> Dohad 23rd
>
> Ratlam 24th
>
> Indore 25th
>
> Ujjain 26th
>
> Kota 27th
>
> Jaipur 29th
>
> Ajmer 30th
>
> Marwar 1st Dec.
>
> So, Enjoy .
>
> Bye
>
> Shrinivas
From: Harsh Vardhan <>
Subject: Re: State of the NRM
Date: 11 Nov 1998 00:21:09 -0500
Dear Don,
Thank you for your instant response. If that is any measure of your
willingness to work for the betterment of the museum, Iam elated.
Iam sure you have played your part to get the museum enough publicity
through your PSMT website. I found it most informative and appreciate it
from the bottom of my heart. Again, from my side, do let me know if you
require any information or help on this (or any other subject) from the
NRM
or elsewhere in Delhi.
I think our politicians have their priorities elsewhere. You can't even
bother the Railway Minister with stuff like railway museums and heritage
preservation. And I don't really blame the railway bureaucrats though.
They
have this tough balancing act to perform. I hope you know how many
social
and political obligations have to be fulfilled through the railways and
yet
what they get in form of budgetory support is peanuts. In spite of that
the
railways is far better and professionally managed organisation than any
other state owned one here. I hope our Indian friend can vouch for it.
The whole idea behind starting the FNRM is to get outside(meaning
enthusiasts') involvement into day-to-day activities of the museum.
Poking
noses and asking questions. Pehaps that would shake them out of their
slumber. We are registering ourselves as a charity society and will seek
corporate support for the museum and shall be accountable for the
utilisation of funds. We also intend to use voluntary labour for the
upkeep
of museum's exhibits and who knows maybe reviving some of them in near
future. I hope you are aware that FNRM,York Museum has contributed 3
million
pounds to the museum in the last year. That's a long way for us but,
we're
getting there.
I would not like this to be seen as an attempt to hijack this plateform
for
the publicity of my society but since the topic came up, I am providing
this
information. After all it concerns all of us or else we would not be
here.
Kind Regards,
HARSH
From: Harsh Vardhan <>
Subject: FNRM
Date: 11 Nov 1998 00:34:18 -0500
DEAR JAYANT,
I REGRET THE PROBLEM YOU FACED WHILE AT
NRM. IF
YOU LET ME KNOW YOUR DETAILS, I CAN ARRANGE TO SEND YOU THE DETAILS,
STRAIGHTAWAY.
FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN FNRM MEMBERSHIP FORMS WHILE AT THE MUSEUM, THE
PERSON/S TO CONTACT ARE MS. LAKSHMI, PA TO THE DIRECTOR OR V.K.SIAL, SR.
LIBRARIAN. ANYONE FACING ANY PROBLEM CAN CONTACT ME ON MY EMAIL OR
ANS/FAX
NO. 91-11-6167831 OR BY
WRITING TO
FNRM
C/O DIRECTOR
NATIONAL RAIL MUSEUM
CHANAKYA PURI
NEW DELHI - 110 029(INDIA)
REGARDS,
HARSH
-----Original Message-----
From: Jayant S <sank@telco.email
To: IR List <irfca@cs.email IR List <irfca@cs.email
Date: Wednesday, November 11, 1998 8:05 PM
Subject: Re: State of the NRM: Don
>> My web pages about the Patiala State Monorail Tramway have
>> publicized the museum to over 600 people, mostly from other
>> parts of the world and I was dealing with a very obscure and
>> less than popular topic.
>I have been keeping track of your page, and I think it is a
>commendable piece of work. Just for the record, I regard the
>working preservation of the PSM stock at the NRM as one of
>its real successes, along with the Fairy Queen.
>> A word about other museums. The "nose in the air', "can't be
bothered"
>> attitude is not just the result of low funding.
>Quite true. I estimate that the NRM spent over Rs 100,000/-
>on somewhat irrelevant Hornby layouts. That sort of money could
>have really been used properly somewhere else.
>> Someone said "When all is said and done. much more will be said than
>> done" Does this mean that those who care need to get a whole huge
amount
>> said so that something gets done?
>I think it is more a need to change attitudes at the NRM, and this
>list is probably THE best think-tank in existence to throw up
>ideas. Funding is actually the lesser problem, it is the apathy
>surrounding the place that needs to be addressed. They seem to be
>making only token efforts at merchandising, which could really
>make a difference if done effectively.
>
>I had hoped to interact with the FNRM in Delhi, but was completely
>put off by the Museum staff who would not even speak to me. I guess
>I will have to write to them from here after all.
>
>--
>Jayant S
>--
>
From: SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI <>
Subject: Exhibition on Wheels!!
Date: 11 Nov 1998 00:44:33 -0500
Hi!
Today 's colour supplement of TOI has a photo, of EMU model, as
mentioned
by Apurva. Which I missed in morning rush hour but found it during lunch
break. Today Viraf as moved out from office & later he might add his
views.
Bye
Shrinivas
From: Jayant S <>
Subject: Re: NRM Update: Harsh
Date: 11 Nov 1998 01:10:12 -0500
>....BUT WHAT I CAN APPRECIATE ABOUT IT IS THE FACT THAT THEY ARE
GETTING
> PAINTED AFTER SO MANY YEARS !
Absolutely. When I saw the stock in Oct 1997 it was in BAD shape, and it
was nice to see it painted this time. Another good thing they have
done is to remove the info plaques from the stock and mount them
seperately. Now if they could do something about the laggings on the
undersides of some of the boilers...........
> SHANKAR HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SILLY FLOWER PAINTED ON THE BULLET
> NOSE OF THE WP/P 7200.
While it is necessary to try and be as authentic about liveries as
possible, I feel that much of the sheer character of Indian locomotives
is due to the LACK of standard liveries and a high element of personal
customisation. This differs from shed to shed and stock to stock. For
example, DHR locos tend to look fairly uniform, while the WL 4-6-2
at the NRM is intricately festooned and brilliantly coloured (presumably
by a loving shed staff ?). It looks just GREAT imho.
> REGARDING PAINTING SCHEMES, THE MAIN SETBACK IS THAT THERE ARE NO
RECORDS OF
> THESE WITH THE IR AND ONE HAS TO GO BY PEOPLE'S RECORDS WHICH ARE
OFTEN
> MISLEADING. THE OLD PICTURES ARE ALL IN B&W AND HENCE NO GOOD. SO HELP
IS
> NEEDED FROM ALL TO AUTHENTICATE THE ORIGINAL LIVERIES.
If we do manage to get an IR Historical Assoc. going, this could be one
of the things to do. While people's records are contradictory, a
large-scale compilation effort would probably converge on accuracy.
I have seen a major document at the National Institute of Design in
Ahmedabad, done by some student in the 1970's which contained a study
of Indian train liveries over the years. May be worth a look, if it
still exists at the NID library.........
> REGARDING HORNBY MODELS AGAIN I WOULD SAY THAT ANYTHING IS GOOD FOR A
> BEGINING. YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOW BUILDING A
HUGE DHR
> MODEL FOR THE MUSEUM APART FROM FEW OTHERS ON INDIAN RAILWAYS. BY THE
WAY
> HORNBY's AGENT IS BASED IN JAIPUR AND NOT AT DELHI.
My problem with the Hornby layouts at the NRM is that they represent
a major investment in something which diverges from the purpose of the
museum: to record IR and its predecessors. Make no mistake: I do like
ALL trains from everywhere ! I know about the upcoming DHR model, which
is not set up yet. It will be welcome, if scenicked nicely.
(Yes, the main agent is in Jaipur, but the NRM layouts were
apparently set up with some help from the Delhi dealers).
> THERE WAS A BIG DEBATE ON WHAT IS THE ORIGINAL LIVERY OF THE DHR B
CLASS
> TANK LOCOS. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, FROM THE BEGINING OF THE LINE
TILL
> THE FORTIES, THEY WERE PAINTED GREEN, THEN BLACK FOR A SHORT SPAN,
PAINTED
> THE FAMOUS CALEDONIAN BLUE SINCE NFR WAS FORMED AND NOW SOME WERE
LATELY
> PAINTED IN RED AND YELLOW(RAJDHANI SCHEME) TEMPORARILY TO INCREASE
THEIR
> VISIBILITY FROM THE ROAD. NOW WHICH ONE DO YOU SAY IS THE ORIGINAL
LIVERY ?
> TO MY MIND IT IS THE BLUE ONE BECAUSE THE TRAIN HAS BEEN THAT WELL
KNOWN FOR
> LAST 20 - 30 YEARS ONLY. AND MOST OF THE COLOUR PICTURES(THOUGH WHICH
THE
> TRAIN IS MOSTLY KNOWN) SHOW IT BLUE. THAT OF COURSE IS MY OPINION BUT
OTHERS
> MIGHT WELL DIFFER. SO YOU SEE IT IS A VERY CONTENTIOUS ISSUE.
While I agree with you about the DHR blue for entirely personal reasons
(I grew up happily in Darjeeling), this can be settled easily. If the
stock has been fully restored to "as originally built" condition, then
it ought to be painted in the original livery. However, locomotives are
sometimes preserved with MAJOR modifications and cannot be restored to
their original condition, in which case the livery should match the
period of the modifications as far as possible. In any case, for
archival interest, schematic colour illustrations can accompany
each locomotive depicting the various liveries it has borne through
its working life. Not too expensive to implement, and a major addition
of authentic information for railfans and potential modellers. Just
curious: how is this issue handled in railroad museums abroad ?
--
Jayant S
--
From: Iain A Fraser <>
Subject: Re: Hugh Hughes' books
Date: 11 Nov 1998 01:43:54 -0500
Satish et al.....
I think you are referring to my last post wherein I said that vol 4 was
out
of stock.
I spoke to Lance King of the CRJ last weekend and have found that stocks
are
becoming available and I have ordered several full sets (Some for
outstanding customer orders)
I have also got supplies of all the BORHT books including Mr Daboos
excellent book
on Indian diesel and electric locos. I think I have satisfied all my
outstanding requests for that but if anyone has slipped thru the net or
wants on let me know.
Regards
Iain
Aerolite Booktraders
Railway Book Specialist
<A HREF="http://www.aerolite.u-net.com">http://www.aerolite.u-net.com</A>
Listmaster: London & North Eastern Railway group (LNER)
Homepages: <A HREF="http://www.bulleid.force9.co.uk/lneeg/">http://www.bulleid.force9.co.uk/lneeg/</A>
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: CR news release
Date: 11 Nov 1998 02:53:42 -0500
Gang !
Once a month or so the CR and the WR release a news update. This is
the belated scan of the latest CR news release from the Times of India
dated 31st Oct 1998.
Apurva
From: Apurva Bahadur <>
Subject: WP model
Date: 11 Nov 1998 04:06:46 -0500
Gang !
I just remembered - Pune had a railway exhibition in a field near the
station in 1996. One of the really great displays was a 1/15 th scale
(is that right ?) WP from Jabalpur shed in the CR pavilion - I think
the name of the loco was 'Gondwana Queen' (compare that to the WAM 1
named as Jagjivan Ram :-) ) - now this WP was IMMACULATE - every thing
was in precise detail - the reverser worked, the Walshaert linkage,
firebox door, the waist height door meant to separate the tender and
the cab, buffer springs, wheel suspension ! This loco even moved
slowly back and forth by a compressed air line - even the puff - puff
was authentic. I was told that the whistle also worked but was damaged
in transit. The Asansol WG that I mentioned in the Exhibition on
wheels thread seemed to be inspired by / or was in the same class as
this loco.
In the same sense the WP made by the Model Railway Society of Pune is
also very impressive. It is really possible because of the tool room
facility made available at Bhau Joshi's factory, apart from the sheer
talent and determination of the gang who made it. Although static it
is equally detailed. I will try and persuade them to photograph the
beast and put it on a website for your viewing pleasure.
Apurva
From: Balasubramanian, Vijay <>
Subject: Re: Indian Railways Electric Locos - new pictures
Date: 11 Nov 1998 08:11:30 -0500
>
> Hello Roger,
> Yes, I did see the pics, quite interesting too, especially
> the one of the
> Crocodile.
> Apart from the subject, what I simply ADORE about your pics
> is the visual
> richness, thanks to the full-screen large size of the pics.
>
I second Shankar in applauding the pictures. Interestingly, "Jawahar"
(WAP3
numbered 22005) has graced one of the photos in my 1988 CLW calendar.
The
pictures show Jawahar hauling the Taj Exp. (with the same livery) near
Agra
Cantt.
Vijay
From: Balasubramanian, Vijay <>
Subject: Re: Hugh Hughes' books
Date: 11 Nov 1998 08:48:54 -0500
> Earlier I also got a copy of Jal Daboo's book on diesel and electric
> locos used by IR. This is also a wonderful book, with lots
> of information
> on each class of loco, lots of photographs & drawings.
I had to chance to glimpse through this book while having lunch with
Satish,
the other day. This is, indeed, a treasure for electric loco. fans like
me.
I am planning to purchase it and add it to my collection of IR books.
The
cover shows a WDM2 hauling the New Delhi - Goa Exp. What caught my
attention was the distinct livery - red on top, cream in the middle and
green at the bottom. Could someone confirm that the Goa exp. has
acquired a
distinct livery? If this is true then IR may have started repainting
select
prestigious trains in colorful liveries. This would definitely make
train-spotting more fun.
Regards,
Vijay
From: Harsh Vardhan <>
Subject: Re: More Plinthed locos
Date: 11 Nov 1998 09:08:53 -0500
You really think it is gaudily painted, Well, it is as close to the
original
livery as it can be! It is B 799, the first loco named `MOUNTAINEER'.
HARSH
-----Original Message-----
From: Jayant S <sank@telco.email
To: IR List <irfca@cs.email
Date: Thursday, November 12, 1998 12:04 AM
Subject: Re: More Plinthed locos
>Just a query:
>There is a somewhat gaudily painted DHR B-Class loco
>plinthed outside Rail Bhavan, Delhi. Does anyone know
>the number on this loco?
>--
>Jayant S
>--
>
From: Anurag Acharya <>
Subject: Fw: message from Roger Morris
Date: 11 Nov 1998 10:05:22 -0500
I know when I'm beaten - please subscribe me to IRFCA!
If for the time being you could cross-post this to the list and thank
all who have mailed me and complimented my photographs - and yes, the
steamers will be back next month (but beware as the threatened China
photos will also be appearing - necessary arm-twisting being completed -
I will keep the url the same for the index page) with, probably some
diesels the following month before a return to steam.
Keep an eye out for some shots of Delhi museum (surely one of the finest
in the world) as a separate "page" in the near future - time and work
permitting.
Once again, thank you all.
--
Roger G. Morris
From: Don Dickens <>
Subject: Re: State of the NRM
Date: 11 Nov 1998 10:43:54 -0500
Harsh,
I commend your efforts to improve the NRM. I'm sure it seems like a
thankless task at times but as time goes by and you can look back at
what has been accomplished, you will feel a degree of satisfaction.
Regarding the FNRM. I tried to download or print the membership
application but as best as I can remember, it required a software
application that I did not have. Now as I try to revist that part of the
NRM site, it causes a fault in Netscape that stops the program cold. I
wonder if others are ahving either of these problems.
You seemed to say that the Librarian of the NRM was more cooperative
than the Directors have been and I noticed that you seemed to be
offering assistance in finding things at the museum. I'm still searching
for pictures of the Monorail as it worked in Patiala. Any help you can
provide would be appreciated and recognized.
Thanks again for your efforts,
Don Dickens
From: Shankar <>
Subject: Re: More Plinthed locos
Date: 11 Nov 1998 11:11:35 -0500
Hello,
I think it is 792. And yes, the green is rather garish.
My records say this is one of the US (Baldwin) built Bs on the DHR.
Its amusing that the Yankees actually built such a dimunitive number. I
somehow associate US builds with the massive Big Boys and all.
Even the ng Durango and Silverton engines are massive.
On a similar note, there is another preserved engine in Delhi: an MTR
class
ng engine from the Dhilwan creostating plant. This is outside the NR
headquarters. Color scheme identical to the NRM's MTR.
Best regards.
Shankar
At 01:23 PM 11/11/98 +0530, you wrote:
>Just a query:
>There is a somewhat gaudily painted DHR B-Class loco
>plinthed outside Rail Bhavan, Delhi. Does anyone know
>the number on this loco?
>--
>Jayant S
>--
>
From: GlynThomas <>
Subject: Modelling
Date: 11 Nov 1998 13:45:51 -0500
I've followed the modelling thread with interest.
I have built a couple of Indian layouts with limited success. The main
problem
is building everything from scratch. My most recent effort, which was
dismantled a couple of years ago, was a WR meter gauge layout, with 2'6"
feeder.
I built coaches and trucks using the resin casting method suggested by
other
writers. As Ken suggested, I used rubber molds, and hobby resin, which
is
fairly easily available in the UK. My impression after building 8
coaches, and
about a dozen wagons was that it would probably have been better to
build in
styrene, for the amount of cleaning up required with the molds. A better
approach would probably be to etch brass. A UK magazine, 'Model Railway
Journal' suggested a way that this could be done on a hobby scale a few
years
back.
For MG locos, I used chassis from Berliner Bahn TT locos. Berliner Bahn
come
from East Germany, and are quite cheap for model railway equipment
prices (but
they may be difficult to get outside Europe). Diesels are much easier to
build
than steam, although the Berliner Bahn motors are wide to fit into a
hood
unit. A YP I built from the Berliner Bahn 2-6-2 only started to look
right
after I'd rebuilt the valve gear, which is fairly serious scratch
building
(and I still need to give the tender another going over). It would be
nice to
have the time and skills to build everything from scratch like Ken.
I'm hoping to restart railway modelling soon, but like Viraf, I also
model
French, which seems a bit easier.
Glyn Thomas
From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>
Subject: Re: Exhibition on Wheels!!
Date: 11 Nov 1998 18:40:15 -0500
On Wed, 11 Nov 1998, SHRINIVAS V. JOSHI wrote:
>
>
> Hi!
>
> Today 's colour supplement of TOI has a photo, of EMU model, as
mentioned
> by Apurva. Which I missed in morning rush hour but found it during
lunch
> break. Today Viraf as moved out from office & later he might add his
views.
>
> Bye
>
> Shrinivas
>
Hi,
Yes I saw the Exhibition On Wheels nothing much to write back. There
were
VERY VERY CRUDE static models of WP, WG, YP ang YG. Then there was
also a Gauge I old British 3 rail Tinplate model of a 0-6-0T passed off
as
a Goods Train Loco of Eastern railway. The modern electrics and the
diesels looked the same - Crude. A transparent model of WDS shunter by
CLW
was great with all the parts shown. Even the 2 saddle tanks with their
coaches looked nice on the DHR layout even though under repairs.
I wonder why should the paintings of the British trains be displayed in
an Indian Railway Exhibition.
The attendants in the coaches seemed to be in a great hurry for they
kept
on "shouting" - Keep on moving.
The only thing new that I learnt from this exhibition was that
Shimiliguda is the highest station in India at 998mtrs. This station is
on
the Visakhapatnam - Kirandul line.
Regards
Viraf
==========================
Viraf Mulla
C-20/14, Jeevan Bima Nagar,
Borivali (West)
Mumbai 400103
Tel: +91-22-8954510
E-mail: sncf@godrejnet.email
==========================
From: VIRAF P.. MULLA <>
Subject: Re: More Plinthed locos
Date: 11 Nov 1998 19:54:51 -0500
> Thanks for the bunch of info. But I think we have
got it
> wrong somewhere. MLR 738 is at NRM and MLR 741 is certainly at
Matheran.
> That's for sure. Now that leaves the elusive 739 and 740. Can anyone
throw
> anymore light on this subject please.
Hello Harsh,
I had refered to Prof. Bhandari's list in his book Exotic Indian
Mountain
railways. It's confirmed that 741 is in Matheran and 738 is in NRM. The
problem is that the loco in Parel Workshop is without it's number plate.
I
have a newspaper cutting with the picture of the preserved loco in
England
but will have to scearch for it real hard. Once I have this then the
mystery of the loco in Parel will be solved. Infact quite recently I
read
in a British magazine that this Matheran Loco in England will be steamed
agained. Can any of our friends in England help us solve this mystery.
Yesterday I had been to Bombay Central and saw the Plinthed NG Loco.
It is 563K of BB & CI made by Kerr Stuart & Co. at the cost of Rs.34,423
in the year 1929. It ran for 22,02,400Kms and was retired from Pratap
Nagar shed in 1990 and was plinthed in 1991 to commemorate the Platium
Jubilee of Bombay central station.
Regards
Viraf
==========================
Viraf Mulla
C-20/14, Jeevan Bima Nagar,
Borivali (West)
Mumbai 400103
Tel: +91-22-8954510
E-mail: sncf@godrejnet.email
==========================
From: Rajan Mathew <>
Subject: Re: Diva Dombivali Sketch
Date: 11 Nov 1998 20:14:25 -0500
Where there are pairs of tracks, then any of the tracks can be used
Some points on the diagram
1. The numbers on the scale are distance from Mumbai CST as indicated on
the
nearest poles.
2. All additional lines besides the suburban and through lines are
indicated
in red.
3. Note that the first line from Diva platform has no connection to the
Panvel line but joins with the main line. It is used for the Diva Vasai
DMU.
The evening service of the DMU is scheduled just after the Pune bound
Deccan
Queen passes on the Main line (1750 hrs).
Rajan
From: Anne Ogborn <>
Subject: Re: Materials required for Models
Date: 11 Nov 1998 21:19:04 -0500
Apurva Bahadur wrote:
> Note from Apurva the engineer,
>
> Araldite is the brand name of the two component epoxy - it takes 24
hours to
> set. There is also a 5 minute equivalent of this stuff called Fevitite
which
> gels in 5 minutes but cures in 24 hours. There is also a type of
expanded PVC
> sheets available in the Indian Market called 'Forex' which can be cut,
milled,
> drilled and even tapped. It is much stronger than expanded polystyrene
> (thermocole) and is available in sheets from 1 mm thick to blocks many
inches
> thick. The stuff known as RTV is also available in India - it is Rs.
200 for a
> tube of 100 gms or so.
If RTV is available, then that'd be ideal - it's simple to set up and
then you can
cast 20 copies or so.
>
> As far are casting and moulding is concerned - brass, aluminum can be
easily
> sand cast with wooden patterns. The going rate is around Rs. 100 per
KG. But
> then this job is quite rough and will have to be finished. There is
also gravity
> cast process which uses a steel mould (quite easily made by a skilled
> fabricator) which will have less finish problems. I am currently in
the middle
> of getting a part developed (maybe sand cast) and will pass on the
experience of
> this venture to the gang. Please also consider materials such as
Acrylic sheet
> and Bakelite laminate which can also be machined easily.
> Will our friendly dentist tell us how the dentures are made from
plaster of
> paris moulds ?
> How expensive is his stuff ?
>
> Apurva