Aluminum Boat Build From Scratch - Ep. 3

[@albertfunk1176]

Have you arranged the bars in the keel so that you can manage with a small number of moulds? Metal mesh mats could possibly prevent the mould from breaking.

[@modularhippo]

Hey Albert - Happy 2025, and thank you for the feedback. 8 of the bars are single cast moulds as the shape is unique to the mould. After that it is 4 moulds where I will cast 3 bars each. I have an idea that I will try. Similar to what I tried but more basic as it will only require one single mould instead of 2 halves (each bar has a flat top and bottom so I have over complicated things). Hard to describe in words but should hopefully make better sense when in an episode:)

[@albertfunk1176]

@@modularhippo A successful new year to you too. Yes, the casting will then be much easier, protruding lead can then be easily removed with a rasp. You will need a leather apron and upper part for the aluminium welds anyway, this would provide additional protection when casting lead. The parts for the rudder control are high quality, and I can see that you still have enough room to attach an autopilot to the centre arm (if this is not combined with hydraulic steering).

[@usernamegoeshere527]

Have you looked into doing lost wax casting using your spiffy new 3D printer?

[@modularhippo]

Hey - Not familiar with that technique. Will research that one. Thank you for pointing me in that direcrion:)

[@usernamegoeshere527]

@@modularhippo Robinson Foundry on KZbin has some good videos on the process.

[@modularhippo]

@@usernamegoeshere527 Big Thank You, took a quick look and seems to be the right place to go for sand casting. I have one last thing I want to try as if it works it should be less work then sand-casting (but if that fails then sand-casting it is):) Big Thank you again for taking the time to point me in the right direction:)

[@gafaff]

You seem to use rather obtuse units. 700cl to 1,000g plaster would be more commonly expressed as 7 litres of water to 1kg of plaster.

[@modularhippo]

Hi Gafaff - Thank you for comment and fair point!:) I am Scandinavian and from an engineering background so working in those units defaults in my head. Point taken, going forward I will use litres/kilos as makes more sense. Thank you for feedback as appreciated:) Happy Sunday!