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Options on simulating filler on cutaway ordnance?

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Davehal9000

Active Member
Am working on restoring a cutaway mine. The filler was in bad shape and not worth saving. What techniques are you guys using?

On another forum a gentleman suggested clay. Am inclined to do it this way but anytime I worth with clay I prefer to bake it. Think it'll be tough getting the unbaked clay back out without distorting it.

Not keep on plaster but am open to suggestions
 
Hi Devehal,
Using clay is not a good solution. It will remain soft, and through the years will change shape as people will put their fingers on it. Baking clay will be a bit better , but is brittle. Plaster of paris (or cement) have a big disadvantage ; WATER. And as we al know, water and metals do not really go together well. This result will show after a few years as your cutaway model is destroyed from the inside out by oxidation.
I prefer to use thick cartboard or multiplex wooden templates , over which coarse sandpaper is glued. This has the best result, is easy in maintenance and repair, looks good, and does not cause any oxidation.
For an example of how to do this, look here: http://www.wk2ammo.com/showthread.php?4404-The-making-of-a-8-8cm-L-4-5-Spr-Gr-Pr-Zugz-cutaway-model
#5 and #6.

Regards, DJH

Ps: the cartboard I use is 3mm thick acid free cartboard that is normally used behind photo's in a frame, which can be bought at a professional picture framer shop
 
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on the last 60mm mortar bomb I did I used air dried clay,it worked quite well.you just have to pack it in well and keep working it as it shrinks a little bit and may crack when it dries.if you have a large area to fill like an anti tank mine you can first cut a wood filler block and secure it tightly then you don't have to fill the entire area with clay and also the wood supports the clay or whatever you use.
 
several hours I think.the larger the size of clay the longer it will take to dry.you can keep an eye on it and just before it goes off you can do your final smooth out,like when you finish concrete.
 
Hallo,
at work I used to have contact with specialists that preserve animals for display. I Don't know what you call that in english. Traditionally "plaster of Paris" was used to fill all voids inside. This made the models very heavy and the stuff shrinks over time. The modern way is, to use artificial foam that hardens. Also the foam shrinks in the first few weeks, but then you just add a little. The foam can be painted, it is light and easy to work with. Ask somebody who does this type of work, what brand of foam he uses.
Regards,
Bellifortis.
 
:tinysmile_shy_t:
ZOO keeper

@ DJ Your unedited reply was better
 
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AfD mitglied ? .... well, you know political correctness is must these days.. :(
 
This is for an AT mine. What should the texture be?

May try my hand at a silicone mold of the well and casting the part with the right color and texture. May still have a shrinkage issue though.
 
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