Some homemade attys and genesis

[docabramson]

I have been looking around for a Stewalin equivilant and came across this site.

Lifecasting, Mold Making, Molding Materials, and Casting Materials from EnvironMolds

Lifecasting, Mold Making, Molding Materials, and Casting Materials from EnvironMolds

I can't tell if it is water resistant though.

 

[asdaq]

It looks to be biodegradable, as you can grind it up and sprinkle in the garden when no longer needed. That doesn't sound so water resistant. Stewalin also has a high heat threshold, which many of these likely substitutes don't seem to cover in there documentation. Creepy picture on that box BTW

 

[BorisTheSpider]

I have been looking around for a Stewalin equivilant and came across this site.

Lifecasting, Mold Making, Molding Materials, and Casting Materials from EnvironMolds

Lifecasting, Mold Making, Molding Materials, and Casting Materials from EnvironMolds

I can't tell if it is water resistant though.

I've looked at so many casting materials, I'm beginning to lose track, but here is one more product I think should work. If I decide to move forward with casting the genisis, I'll likely go this route. It's waterproof, strong, non-toxic, and it comes in a convenient size that is readily-available. I think that it could be done with any number of products. My biggest concern is the heat, but I really don't think that would be a problem so long as the coil is far enough away from the cap - I think Raidy suggested about 2 or 3 mm.

 

[jbs]

I was curious and did some quick search on Stewalin, Artestone, Glorex and Creartec. It seems that both products and manufacturers have something in common. It is Klaus-P. Lührs. More info here. I know it doesn't prove anything but somehow i am getting an impression that Artestone(by Creartec) could be a substitute to Stewalin(by Glorex).

 

[asdaq]

Boris, from the description of that one: "Exterior grade when sealed." Sounds like trouble with water resistance.

jbs, persuasive evidence there, it would be worthy to ask them by email if the formula is the same, or at least if the resistance properties are equal. How much would a small portion of Artestone cost you locally?

 

[jbs]

1 kg of Artestone would cost me £13~£14. Ohhh bloody hell asdaq.... now i have no other choice than to order it and compare it to Stewalin (which i will do)

 

[asdaq]

Heh, I wasn't hinting honest... but since you have Stewalin already-- make sure to give it the torch test. I sent Creartec an email, will post back if/ when they reply.

 

[BorisTheSpider]

Boris, from the description of that one: "Exterior grade when sealed." Sounds like trouble with water resistance.

I missed that line, but I did notice the line under "Product Features" which says:

It's an extremely strong casting medium with a clean white hue when set, waterproof and scratch resistant. Each can we sell has 1-3/4 lbs. of Permastone, to be mixed with water.

So, I've found a few places which will sell Stewalin to people in the US, but it seems like shipping may make it too expensive (not positive - haven't gotten that far in checkout). What kills me, though, is all the searching through US websites where artists or art students seem to have uninhibited access to the stuff. Their packaging even seems to be in English. They must get it somewhere...

 

[lorderos33]

Has anyone managed to find the 20mm x2mm acrylic tube here in the US for the hybrid mini. I've found an Aussie company that will supply it in 1m lengths for about 10 bucks, but shippings $35. I have a local machinist that will turn cast acrylic rod here locally to that size too... Just waiting on pricing.

Also, he does alot of precision tooling in stainless, acrylic, aluminum and a host of other materials so he'll be willing to turn my mod...once plans are complete and approved by raidy, I'll post a rendering. It's going to be SAE everything, touch-switch, similar to poc and pailpoe's design with a number of my own touches.

I'm also thinking of making a touch variable voltage control in the Atty base to mess around with high voltage things.

I'm eliminating the wires through the tank so leaks will be a thing of the past and tank cleaning will be a breeze.

Not 100% sure how long this will all take since it's a spare-time project. I'm also thinking of an led option in the bottom of the tank since I'm putting an acrylic plug so the wick can't ground out if it touches the bottom of the tank anyway, a light would be a simple add-on.

Are you guys still working on a us co-op? I might contribute some stuff to it instead of going it alone if the ideas are similar.

 

[Turbo]

Keep us posted 'lorderos', sounds like some cool features. 'rockwoman' is more than likely going to have a US co-op so maybe we can merge, who knows?

As for the acrylic tubing, I found some close to our specs but not exactly. I have a friend turning some tanks for me as we speak. The Aussie price isn't bad, buying cast rod in the US is around $40-50. Where is that place?

 

[Quick1]

I think extruded acrylic rod is preferable? It's one or the other, cast or extruded, that is more prone to cracks and stress fractures. I sort of remember it may be difficult, if not possible, to get extruded in the diameter we want.

 

[Turbo]

I think extruded acrylic rod is preferable? It's one or the other, cast or extruded, that is more prone to cracks and stress fractures. I sort of remember it may be difficult, if not possible, to get extruded in the diameter we want.

Yeah, cast is better than extruded, which is more prone to cracks, etc. Mine are being turned from cast rod.

 

[BorisTheSpider]

<snip>...I'm eliminating the wires through the tank so leaks will be a thing of the past and tank cleaning will be a breeze...</snip>

I was thinking of the same thing, and this is what occurred to me. If you eliminate the wires going through the tank, you can have the electronics bypass the tank altogether and just connect at the kanthal. If you do that, it opens up a plethora of options for the tank. What I'm thinking of now is a small vial or bottle. Those can bought at a handful of places very inexpensively. It may be less durable than a good, thick acrylic tube, but still not necessarily fragile. Also, replacements are very inexpensive as well that way. No worries about a tragedy destroying your expensive tank. Also, the cap is easy to remove for filling purposes.

Oh! I have an idea...I just wish I had artistic talent so I could draw it up...

 

[UA72Riddle]

Hey guys....just stopping by to check in. Been working crazy hours lately, and didnt have my laptop with me until this weekend. Just wanted to check back in for an update on the US Co-Op. Still in the works? Im still in if it is. I dont have a day off until Friday, so I will have to try to catch up on everything then.

My hybrid is down for the count until I can get back home. My problem was the liquid is still finding a way to get past the silicone and I am affraid it will short out my switch. So for now it is wrapped up sitting in my suitcase until I get back to all of my tools and supplies back home. If the problem isnt solved on the next attempt...im afraid it may be my last until I can come up with a way of making one of the all mechanical versions or the coop comes through. Im just not that good at modding it seems. I would really like to have one of the smaller versions also, like the one MJ built a while back to go with one of my pocket mods just to make it easier to carry with me at work. Or start casting parts...either way. Hopefully something will come up.

 

[cos]

Hey guys....just stopping by to check in. Been working crazy hours lately, and didnt have my laptop with me until this weekend. Just wanted to check back in for an update on the US Co-Op. Still in the works? Im still in if it is. I dont have a day off until Friday, so I will have to try to catch up on everything then.

My hybrid is down for the count until I can get back home. My problem was the liquid is still finding a way to get past the silicone and I am affraid it will short out my switch. So for now it is wrapped up sitting in my suitcase until I get back to all of my tools and supplies back home. If the problem isnt solved on the next attempt...im afraid it may be my last until I can come up with a way of making one of the all mechanical versions or the coop comes through. Im just not that good at modding it seems. I would really like to have one of the smaller versions also, like the one MJ built a while back to go with one of my pocket mods just to make it easier to carry with me at work. Or start casting parts...either way. Hopefully something will come up.

UA72Riddle dont worry man when you get home check it out and see where the problem is coming from. take your time. Many of us are on our 2nd build and some even 3rd build. Like me i did my 2nd build and then a problem arouse so now i have to undo a few things. This happens so no worries man.
You can always get your name on the CO-OP list but your issues with tyhe Hybrid can be fixed.
.You have a load of people here to help as they helped me. thats what i love about this forum. the peeps are just awesome.

 

[Turbo]

Hey guys....just stopping by to check in. Been working crazy hours lately, and didnt have my laptop with me until this weekend. Just wanted to check back in for an update on the US Co-Op. Still in the works? Im still in if it is. I dont have a day off until Friday, so I will have to try to catch up on everything then.

My hybrid is down for the count until I can get back home. My problem was the liquid is still finding a way to get past the silicone and I am affraid it will short out my switch. So for now it is wrapped up sitting in my suitcase until I get back to all of my tools and supplies back home. If the problem isnt solved on the next attempt...im afraid it may be my last until I can come up with a way of making one of the all mechanical versions or the coop comes through. Im just not that good at modding it seems. I would really like to have one of the smaller versions also, like the one MJ built a while back to go with one of my pocket mods just to make it easier to carry with me at work. Or start casting parts...either way. Hopefully something will come up.

Bummer, I thought you had that fixed. I feel most of the juice is coming through the top and down through the tubes. Did you seal the top too?

 

[asdaq]

Riddle, sorry to hear, maybe you want to send it to Poland for a tuning?

I too have been busy, but am still rooting for the SAE co-op. If it's a smaller diameter affair, then I'm even more excited.

Has anyone flown on a plane with a hybrid in the carry on? I know Jens flew to Germany with his genisis, but I'm wondering with security how it might go.

On a side, I discovered that with an unnoticed short to the mesh, probably by a stray wire on the edge, I managed to melt a hole in the mesh maybe a square mm or so in a day's use. Not so pleasant, but oh well. Also, if you have a stray single wire sticking out, it quickly 'trims' away with a flame from a lighter like it were a strand of hair, as opposed to dispersing heat to the rest of the mesh when it is woven.

 

[Rock Woman]

Sorry for not posting but the board has been quiet and I have been crazy busy. Here is an update. I have been working with a fellow, now retired, whose work was to draw schematics to exact measure for small machine parts and for prototypes of all kinds. We discussed three designs, two with wires in the tank and one with wires on the outside. The two with inside wires had differences in mainly the leak proof connection points. He and I could not come to a consensus on the design with wires outside so it will be interesting to see which version he draws. The only absolute at this time is that it will be Stainless Steel and I am leaning to a tank of cast acrylic. Cast acrylic is stronger than extruded. Polycarbonate is stronger than either version of acrylic but has some concerns for safety unless it is medical grade. That's all I have for you until the design is decided on.

lordaros - I would be more than happy to collaborate with you, except the plan I had was only for a G tank atty with 510 connection with kits in two sizes. Your plan was for a whole mod package?

 

[WillyB]

I don't know why you don't consider the Czech design. Rather elegant and no wire sealing to be done.

 

[Quick1]

I don't know why you don't consider the Czech design. Rather elegant and no wire sealing to be done.

...and where are the leads, and the coil, and the mesh?