Oh you, you, you genius! lol
My Summer of Vintage Washer Rubber Reproduction
- Thread starter Unimatic1140
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I am speechless! What an amazing feat and the amount of time and effort you put in is stupendous! Thank you for sharing and keeping the lives of our appliances going strong.
Todd
Todd
Just amazing!
What a summer you've had with your hobby. Well done!
What a summer you've had with your hobby. Well done!
Robert
Amazing work!
Amazing work!
I'm amazed.
That light pink scrubber cap on the Roto-Swirl is giving me a woodie.
That light pink scrubber cap on the Roto-Swirl is giving me a woodie.
Absolutely amazing!
Wow Robert, that is amazing.
Can you give us an outline of the process?
Were the molds 3D-printed?
Wow Robert, that is amazing.
Can you give us an outline of the process?
Were the molds 3D-printed?
Morning all, thanks for the kind words!
I guess u have already been asked about westinghouse boots, right ?
Oh yeah, those are going to be really complicated due to their intricate shape but I'm sure it could be figured out in time.
will you switch out all the original parts and use these new ones now ?
Hi Mike, yes if the originals are cracked, hard and discolored since they look and feel so close to the originals.
Were the molds 3D-printed?
Hi Chris, no the molds are made of silicone rubber. They are called two part molds and there are a ton of youtube videos on how to make two part molds out there. You build a mold box and embed half the part in clay. Then you mix and pour the silicone over one half. You then take it all part and turn it over, remove the clay, rebuild the box and pour the other half. Here are some pictures of my first mold I made, although later molds I have removed those vent sticks you see in these pictures as I found they are not necessary.
I guess u have already been asked about westinghouse boots, right ?
Oh yeah, those are going to be really complicated due to their intricate shape but I'm sure it could be figured out in time.
will you switch out all the original parts and use these new ones now ?
Hi Mike, yes if the originals are cracked, hard and discolored since they look and feel so close to the originals.
Were the molds 3D-printed?
Hi Chris, no the molds are made of silicone rubber. They are called two part molds and there are a ton of youtube videos on how to make two part molds out there. You build a mold box and embed half the part in clay. Then you mix and pour the silicone over one half. You then take it all part and turn it over, remove the clay, rebuild the box and pour the other half. Here are some pictures of my first mold I made, although later molds I have removed those vent sticks you see in these pictures as I found they are not necessary.
Fresh appliance jewelry!
Hey gang - it has been an absolute pleasure watching Robert learn this craft, as well as testing out a few samples through the summer. It is exciting to know that the technology behind the urethane products from some of the suppliers is much more UV resistant now than it was just a few years ago, with the hopes that Robert's hard work of color matching lasts as long as possible, through normal use.
I cannot wait to see what else can be reimagined in 2024 and beyond, not just by Robert but by others as well! I'd love to toss my hat in the ring at some point, too, and learn from the master.
A few photos from testing throughout the summer. The last set of action shots from the '58, as well as the '61, were taken today (3 through 8). What is hard to capture is just how close the colors are, both in terms of how they match each other between the two sets, but also how close to the original source they are. Robert has really done his homework in this area, and they are perfect and look exactly the same as the first day they were put into use.
The camera color balance throws the shading off, depending on shadows, lighting source, etc. The yellow of the lint chaser ring is spot on between the two washers, as well as the darkness of the turquoise on the agitator cap. In person, the turquoise isn't nearly as dark as it shows up in some of the photos.
Ben
Hey gang - it has been an absolute pleasure watching Robert learn this craft, as well as testing out a few samples through the summer. It is exciting to know that the technology behind the urethane products from some of the suppliers is much more UV resistant now than it was just a few years ago, with the hopes that Robert's hard work of color matching lasts as long as possible, through normal use.
I cannot wait to see what else can be reimagined in 2024 and beyond, not just by Robert but by others as well! I'd love to toss my hat in the ring at some point, too, and learn from the master.
A few photos from testing throughout the summer. The last set of action shots from the '58, as well as the '61, were taken today (3 through 8). What is hard to capture is just how close the colors are, both in terms of how they match each other between the two sets, but also how close to the original source they are. Robert has really done his homework in this area, and they are perfect and look exactly the same as the first day they were put into use.
The camera color balance throws the shading off, depending on shadows, lighting source, etc. The yellow of the lint chaser ring is spot on between the two washers, as well as the darkness of the turquoise on the agitator cap. In person, the turquoise isn't nearly as dark as it shows up in some of the photos.
Ben
Wish list
At some point will you be willing to manufacture some of these to sell?
I'd like to pre order a set of those Filter Flo mounts in every color. Also, would you be able to fabricate the GE Filter-Flo flumes that seem to be made out of the same material?
Is there a possibility of doing a live seminar/demonstration of these techniques?
At some point will you be willing to manufacture some of these to sell?
I'd like to pre order a set of those Filter Flo mounts in every color. Also, would you be able to fabricate the GE Filter-Flo flumes that seem to be made out of the same material?
Is there a possibility of doing a live seminar/demonstration of these techniques?
At some point will you be willing to manufacture some of these to sell?
Hi Ken, yes absolutely I'd like to try and make back some of my set-up costs, so I plan to sell GE Mounts and Kenmore Scrubber caps for $75 + shipping. Unfortunately these parts are expensive to make. I realize I'll never make it all back, but that's fine I did this for my machines and not to make a profit from this.
The filter-flo flume is something that I would like to tackle, however it is more challenging to make as I believe it was made split in half horizontally and then the top and bottom halves were vulcanized together. I may be able to use a process of gluing the two halves together with strong waterproof clear epoxy. I'm going to have to experiment in how to do this. I also need a really good original to do this and I'm not sure I have that is in good enough shape to make a master from.
Doing a live seminar wouldn't be possible as it takes nearly 48 hours to make a mold with all the steps involved. However there are a ton of great videos out there on making 2 part molds. This video uses Monster Clay, the same molding clay that I now use...
Hi Ken, yes absolutely I'd like to try and make back some of my set-up costs, so I plan to sell GE Mounts and Kenmore Scrubber caps for $75 + shipping. Unfortunately these parts are expensive to make. I realize I'll never make it all back, but that's fine I did this for my machines and not to make a profit from this.
The filter-flo flume is something that I would like to tackle, however it is more challenging to make as I believe it was made split in half horizontally and then the top and bottom halves were vulcanized together. I may be able to use a process of gluing the two halves together with strong waterproof clear epoxy. I'm going to have to experiment in how to do this. I also need a really good original to do this and I'm not sure I have that is in good enough shape to make a master from.
Doing a live seminar wouldn't be possible as it takes nearly 48 hours to make a mold with all the steps involved. However there are a ton of great videos out there on making 2 part molds. This video uses Monster Clay, the same molding clay that I now use...
I had heard that you had been working on this Robert and I think its wonderful. When you're ready to sell, I'm ready to buy!
Those turned out fantastic! The colors are beautiful.
Wow! That's REALLY impressive.
classiccaprice
Well-known member
Beautiful job!
When you're ready I'll take a few Kenmore scrubber caps! Just let me know the cost and when! Superb Robert!
Will
When you're ready I'll take a few Kenmore scrubber caps! Just let me know the cost and when! Superb Robert!
Will
Custom reproduction rubber parts
These look wonderful Robert I definitely will order a turquoise scrubber cap for my 64 Lady Kenmore pair that is turquoise. I think that would look great on it.
$75 each is a bargain for these items you would never be able to get it made any cheaper than that unless you ordered a huge quantity from a Chinese supplier.
Robert, let me know when you have one available, thanks
These look wonderful Robert I definitely will order a turquoise scrubber cap for my 64 Lady Kenmore pair that is turquoise. I think that would look great on it.
$75 each is a bargain for these items you would never be able to get it made any cheaper than that unless you ordered a huge quantity from a Chinese supplier.
Robert, let me know when you have one available, thanks
Jaw dropping work Robert! They look beautiful!
I would also be interested in a turquoise cap for a kenmore, when you are ready to start selling.
Take My Money!
I'll need a complete set for my '58 Unimatic and some Kenmore caps too. Once you nail down pricing, I'll order some.
Thank you for creating these parts & allowing our machines & the technology to live on!
Dave
I'll need a complete set for my '58 Unimatic and some Kenmore caps too. Once you nail down pricing, I'll order some.
Thank you for creating these parts & allowing our machines & the technology to live on!
Dave
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