I'm getting tired of buying and using the same ole standard winding checks. Anyone have ideas on making your own or something different that can be re-purposed for a winding check? Thanks for any input gentleman.

[www.rodbuilding.org]

Acrylic blanks available from Swampland ... 10 minutes on a lathe and you have something truly unique and it can be made to coordinate or contrast.

Hi Jim,
That's a great idea and they look good. Pity I've only got a drill powered lathe and don't know much about turning.

ESFNEM Col
Port Kembla, NSW
Australia

G'Day Mike I make my own using a home made silicon mold .To make the mold I used a collection of Aluminium winding checks ,placed them small end down in a Pyrex dish & mixed up the 2 part silicon molding agent & then poured over the dish makin sure that you fill the winding checks first (stops them moving when you commence filling the rest of the dish. It takes around 1 hour to set up Remove from the tray & pop out the winding checks & start casting your winding checks. I use a casting resin & also any left over epoxy . You can colour them any colour or colours you wish (I use Testors Paint (the same process as marbelizing) Let them setup for about 12 hours & remove from mold . Hope you can follow my ramblings & if you need any further info just drop me an email.

Regards Baz

Bundeena
NSW Australia

I use acrylic all the time and they turn out sweet, you can use multi color acrylic and match some threatwork in the butt wrapp. There are some tricks to it but very easy and fast to do.

Wow these are some fantastic ideas. I really appreciate the input. My lathe skillz unfortunately are not up to the task of turning the acrylic unfortunately. They look beautiful tho! I really want to look more into the casting idea.

Cheep toe rings from k-mart, walmart

Bill - willierods.com

Thanks for the idea Bill. I have been trying to research making molds etc... to pour your own winding checks. There sure isn't much out there. Maybe this would be a good article for the next mag issue. :)

Just don't use the wifes wedding band LOL

Bill - willierods.com

Tinted finish and you can make all the colors you want

Bill - willierods.com

Costume jewelry necklaces sometimes have links that can be broken or cut. The rings can then be used for winding checks but you will have a LOT of all one size.

Don't forget the epoxy ramp. Everyone can be a different size, shape an color. All it takes is Rod Bond, thread and epoxy.

Man so many great ideas. Now I need to go research this epoxy ramp! :)

Mike Kyle Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for the idea Bill. I have been trying to
> research making molds etc... to pour your own
> winding checks. There sure isn't much out there.
> Maybe this would be a good article for the next
> mag issue. :)

If you need any help regarding mold / casting methods let me know. I use it a lot of prototype work. Its a wonderful product that saves a ton of time.

If you have a Hobby lobby near by you have access to everything you need

Casey Abell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mike Kyle Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Thanks for the idea Bill. I have been trying
> to
> > research making molds etc... to pour your own
> > winding checks. There sure isn't much out
> there.
> > Maybe this would be a good article for the next
> > mag issue. :)
>
> If you need any help regarding mold / casting
> methods let me know. I use it a lot of prototype
> work. Its a wonderful product that saves a ton
> of time.
>
> If you have a Hobby lobby near by you have access
> to everything you need

Not to put you out Casey but would you mind giving out some hints? I looked online @ Hobby Lobby and a few others last night and the selection is pretty vast.
Thanks for your help.

matthew jacobs Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Casey Abell Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Mike Kyle Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Thanks for the idea Bill. I have been trying
> > to
> > > research making molds etc... to pour your own
> > > winding checks. There sure isn't much out
> > there.
> > > Maybe this would be a good article for the
> next
> > > mag issue. :)
> >
> > If you need any help regarding mold / casting
> > methods let me know. I use it a lot of
> prototype
> > work. Its a wonderful product that saves a
> ton
> > of time.
> >
> > If you have a Hobby lobby near by you have
> access
> > to everything you need
>
> Not to put you out Casey but would you mind giving
> out some hints? I looked online @ Hobby Lobby and
> a few others last night and the selection is
> pretty vast.
> Thanks for your help.


Here is a great resource for different applications . Many videos on how to use their products.

[www.alumilite.com]

the process if pretty simple. If I were making a check ring I would go with the process below.

1. Take original and glue it flat side down to a flat piece of cardboard. Need to make sure the flat side is sealed completly to the cardboard so no silicone leaks under.

2. Make a box out of cardboard and duck tape around the check ring.

3. Pour the silicone mold material over the original which is inside the box until is is completly covered.

4. When the silicone is completly cured you can remove the cardboard sides and pull the piece of cardboard / original check ring away from the silicone. You will be left with a depression the exact same shape of the check ring.

5. Mix up the casting resin and pour into your new silicone mold.

6. When the casting resin sets up you can pop out your new check ring.



The only issue I see here is that the back of the check ring will not be perfectly flat since it is in the open. I am able to counter act the problem because I have a lathe and can finish machine whatever I am making. If you do not have a lathe you could possibly sand it flat or make a 2 piece mold.

Im sure I missed something here, ask any questions you may have