Hi Mel, Jason mentioned Smooth-On as a source (http://www.smooth-on.com) and they seem to be the big name in this area. There's also Tap Plastics (http://www.tapplastics.com). Both are pretty reputable and I'm sure you could find a good resin from them. I've not tried them yet, but I've had Tap's polyurethane resins recommended to me:
http://www.tapplastics.com/shop/product.php?pid=74 By the accounts I've heard, this particular one seem to set up reasonably hard without being too brittle and machines quite a bit like wood. It's also nice because you can demold in 15 minutes and you don't have to degas the liquid resin, making it ideal for production pieces where you want simplicity and quick work. I'm going to be using some for production of molded Hungarian bagpipes when I can get the time. But that might be a good resin to try. I don't know about adhesion of rosin and I understand that some of these resin wheels require liquid rosin to get adhesion; I would think that you could lightly use 240 or 320 grit sandpaper after the wheel is true to give the surface a tiny bit of tooth and allow the use of solid rosin, but I admit I haven't tried it. Balazs' instruments are known for their buzz (as you note) and their strong, boisterous tone. They are no shrinking violets. RT Taylor tells me that when he teaches in groups and students have Balazs' instruments, he puts them in their own area of the room because the buzzes will carry over those of others. It's great if you play for dancers. I've tried various things to tame the buzzing on mine a bit, but his instruments are just that way. -Arle On Mar 30, 2010, at 3:36 PM, Melvin Dorries wrote: > HI Arle, > > Thanks for the quick reply. > > I should have been more specific with my query. > > My curiosity involves cast wheels made of some material that is molded and > hardens into a solid. Yes I know the maker who uses MDF and have played one > of his instruments and enjoyed it quite well. But this is not the route we > are looking at going in. We have a great plug that was done by rappid > prototyping and we want to cast it in somthing that will render a great > wheel. It cannot be brittle or too soft as you mention. > > I wonder what would be the best material to use in this application. What > are the great builders using? > PS Just repaired one of Nagy's tekeros for a customer. BIG sound and > BBBUUUZZZZZZZ, > Rather enjoyed it. What's comming in your neck of the woods that is HG > related? > > Thanks > Mel -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "hurdygurdy" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/hurdygurdy The rules of posting, courtesy, and other list information may be found at http://hurdygurdy.com/mailinglist/index.htm. To reduce spam, posts from new subscribers are held pending approval by the webmaster. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to hurdygurdy+unsubscribegooglegroups.com or reply to this email with the words "REMOVE ME" as the subject.
