H&G Mould alignment pins question
I just bought a nice H&G 4 cavity #503. I cleaned it thoroughly and it really came back nicely. Someone had covered it with some kind of gunk (I THINK it was mould release) and the underlying blocks were quite nice. The cavities are perfect. I can't wait to cast with it.
When I close the mould and hold it up to the light, it looks like the blocks are not closing quite all the way. So the answer is more than likely in the alignment pins.....which brings me to my question.
I have never had to move the alignment pins in any of my H&G moulds. How do you so that? I know it is a stupid question but I don't want to tap them and move them too far, or damage them in any way.
Use a hammer? A brass hammer? Tap them or do they need explosives to move? What is the best way to do this?
Better to ask a stupid question and be thought a moron than damage my mould and prove you right! :wink:
SUCCESS! ....i think........
Well, last night after yard work I decided to give it a whirl. I check to make sure there were no burrs in the alignment holes. There were not. After your original suggestions, I put in some penetrating oil and let it sit overnight.
Needless to say, a small hammer did not move them. The mould was placed on my casting bench on a towel and no matter what I did, the alignment pins would not move. This was one case where needing a bigger hammer really was true.
I figured that the hammer was too small, and that the towel was absorbing some of the blow. So, being the brilliant mechanical person that I am (NOT!) I used a full sized claw hammer and placed the block flat on my vise. A couple of careful whacks on each pin and check the alignment. I saw some improvement, so another couple of whacks it is.
It would appear that the blocks close tightly now. I will cast with it next week and see how it goes.
I have to say I was very nervous about this. All I needed to do was trash a beautiful #503 and make it worthless.
Computers I can help you with. I can hardly boil water and when it comes to mechanical stuff I am a complete moron. Maybe there is hope? [smilie=w: