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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
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    Brisbane
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    16

    Default Brass Machine Plates

    Not sure where to post this but I thought this is a good start. Does anyone know of someone in Australia (ideally Brisbane) who can make up replica machine manufacturer brass plates?

    There is a well known guy over in the States who makes really good stuff, take a look here: https://www.instagram.com/kingtutley/?hl=en but don't think it'll be cost effective for him to make something and post it across the Pacific.

    Screenshot_20201120-083830_Instagram.jpg

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
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    16

    Default

    This is about all I could find regarding replicating the brass plate...

    Screen Shot 2020-11-20 at 9.22.37 am.png

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    Melbourne
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    9,088

    Default

    Have you seen this?
    https://metalworkforums.com/f65/t205...ne-plates-mine

    Of course you may not want to make your own.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
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    Brisbane
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    Default

    Thanks it does look good but just lacks the 'casted brass' look and the depth of the lettering etc.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
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    16

    Default

    I would have thought someone with a CNC machine and the right cutters could easily do this with out too much fuss.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    sydney ( st marys )
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    64
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    4,887

    Default

    They probably would , cost would probably be prohibitive unless it was a keen backyarder.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    16

    Default

    Thats what I am finding. Sound like I wouldn't get much change out of AUD$200 to get it done in the US which at this stage I can't justify.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Willowbank QLD
    Posts
    517

    Default

    I like to think out of the box. My first suggestion would be to drop into your local funeral parlor as I have seen similar looking plates at garden cemeteries. If that idea does not work I have a few more.

    Steve

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    South Australia
    Posts
    1,656

    Default

    If you go the funeral Parlor rout take a lot more that $200 with you

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Southern Flinders Ranges
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    1,536

    Default

    The plaque itself could be cut with a CNC mill or router. It wouldn’t look cast though, you’d have to add that feature which is a rather tedious process of tapping it with a picking hammer to replicate the grain of the casting sand.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Athelstone, SA 5076
    Posts
    4,255

    Default

    [QUOTE=racingtadpole;1977718]The plaque itself could be cut with a CNC mill or router. It wouldn’t look cast though, you’d have to add that feature which is a rather tedious process of tapping it with a picking hammer to replicate the grain of the casting sand.[/QUOT

    or possibly very coarse grit blasting? And then polish the lettering faces?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    Willowbank QLD
    Posts
    517

    Default

    The other option that I was thinking of depends on your skills or the ability to find people with the right skill. I will describe theprocess and then how I would find the people.

    The plaque would be designed and then printed with a 3d plastic printer. On the back of the plaque you would print to cylinders. Their use will become apparent. Once the print is done it will be best to expose it to acetone vapor. This smooth's it out and makes it look more natural.

    The printed plaque is then encased in plaster of Paris with the tops of the cylinders sticking out.

    The plaster of Paris is then placed in an oven with the cylinders facing down and a catch tray. The plastic print melts out completely.

    The plaster of Paris mold is then filled with brass. Once cooled brake the mold and you should have a perfect reproduction.

    There are a lot of basic free 3d design programs if you want to design this yourself. Since it is letters you may find one more suitable. If not find your local "makerspace" (Google it or ask if not familiar). Here you will find someone that will either teach you how to 3D print and design for almost no money or if you are lucky do the design in a matter of minutes for a donation.

    The casting can be achieved in a number of ways with one option being the local jewelry making club. The other option is to send the mold of to someone who pours brass.

    Hope this helps

    Steve

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    A chap I used to know of, used to cast and make brass plaques for models had a set of wood letters and shapes intended for printing on paper. He used them to make sand biscuit moulds for model engine plaques.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    395

    Default

    I know a bloke in Brisbane who was a patternmaker in his previous life.
    He decided to make some high end woodworking tools as he was working in an investment Foundry at the time.
    He made the patterns with timber as you do.
    BUT he made the detail and lettering from bog copied lettering from old stereos etc.
    He even made the grip surface from a rubber glove.
    These of course were moulded in tooling epoxy from which the waxes were produced.
    I’ve a few of his tools in the stash, will post a few pics manyana
    I thought you could print in wax nowadaze?
    Or even print the mould and skip the pattern process entirely.
    You don’t need to get you hands dirty in this new age just sit at your computer and it will drop out its bum in a few seconds.
    You used to be able to buy the Al letters to mark up your patterns but with our dropping out of manufacturing here they are no longer available.
    H.
    Last edited by clear out; 21st Nov 2020 at 10:34 PM. Reason: Typo
    Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    395

    Default

    I took a few pics of Rays little tools and also some traditional Foundry lettering.
    I do have a few loose Foundry letters still and will post pics if there is any interest.
    These can still be sourced from os.
    Barnes used to stock them here but have now dropped them with the collapse of local industry.
    I have hand made lettering in the past including car badges when I worked at Leyland.
    These were made in Al as they went on the prototypes but for Foundry use lead or linoleum is ok.
    H.
    Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)

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