Copying Lexan parts

[Dadio]

Is there anybody on the forum who can make copy's of lexan body's or gear covers ? Or a company that does it ? I have a Hirobo Zerda primary belt cover (gear cover) new and uncut that's getting quite scarce , I was just thinking it might be worth getting copied and saved from extinction but didn't know who to contact ?

[Coelacanth]

I would try contacting TeamBlueGroove, they do fairly decent repros of all kinds of stuff, including some Hirobo offerings:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIROBO-ALIEN-MID4-MID-4-BODY-VINTAGE/112811895806

They might be interested in repopping your gear cover.

[Dadio]

I've had a couple of bodies from them that were a little on the small size, if it were just one I'd be able to write it off but not two so I'd rather go elsewhere or not bother.

[Coelacanth]

Well, that's true, everything TBG repops ends up being a tad undersized, because they use an existing body to do a repop, not a mould, and unlike a mould, repopping Lexan from an existing body results in a bit of shrinkage that would be prevented if it was done on a mould. I don't think you'll find many other options out there who would make a mould of your existing gearbox cover and pull some parts over it, and likely not cost-effectively. TBG might be the only game in town, and I bet most people would be happy with a slightly undersized gearbox cover than none at all.

[GoMachV]

Steve Haskins of Penguin bodies does a great job, I have been thoroughly happy with my bodies I have bought from them. I don’t believe he is on here, but he is on Facebook and eBay

[Dadio]

Steve Haskins of Penguin bodies does a great job, I have been thoroughly happy with my bodies I have bought from them. I don’t believe he is on here, but he is on Facebook and eBay

I might reach out to him ,see what he says , thanks .

[RC10th]

The other one that comes to mind is Old RC but I'm not sure he makes "copies"

Worth a shot....

[AscotConversion]

I would try contacting TeamBlueGroove, they do fairly decent repros of all kinds of stuff, including some Hirobo offerings:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIROBO-ALIEN-MID4-MID-4-BODY-VINTAGE/112811895806

They might be interested in repopping your gear cover.

I sold TBG the original for the Hirobo Alien body maybe around 10 years ago on eBay. I found it out of package on the top shelf of an ancient hobby shop in Central Illinois. I knew what it was on sight, and managed to buy it for either 5 or 10 dollars...

[threesheds]

Wonder if you've thought of making a mould of the interior of the cover and drape moulding lexan over that. I've been wondering whats the best way of taking a mould, plaster of Paris, plasticine silicon etc. Dry plaster of Paris both smooth and would take some heat.
Plastics used in food packaging seem similar to lexan ?
I don't want to bugger the belt cover either! So a good barrier releasing agent necessary. I might experiment with some other component. I'm sure you've thought of something along those lines and there are articles about it

[Biggs]

The way most would do it is with plaster of Paris. Problem is, it shrinks. I forget the percentage amount, and I should actually know it since I use it to pop molds for lead sailboat bulbs. POP is cheap enough to make a low production count cast. Silicone is VERY expensive, and not hard enough to do a pull over.

As for pulling the mold, you don't just "drape" hot lexan over it. It requires a vacuum forming setup, and a fairly large one too. And for pulling rc bodies well, a lever type system is needed and a fairly large vacuum source. It isn't a setup you can cheaply go out and buy. And while most people build their own, it is also more complex than a standard vacuum forming setup.