I have a need to store some injection moulding tools, probably for a few years. I want to coat them in the waxy / oily yellow preservative dip / spray / brush coating that peels off when no longer required, often found on quality tools when new. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name, it doesn't appear in any catalogues I have and I can't find the right Google search term. Can anyone help?
Colin Bignell
Conformal coating? At least that's the similar stuff used on electronics to keep the damp out, might lead you to better search terms.
Thanks for the suggestion, but that only seems to throw up permaanent coatings to protect electronics. The stuff I want is intended to be removed when the tool is taken out of storage.
So far, I have tried various combinations of mothballing, protective, preservative, waxy, steel, iron and tools. I have found details on mothballing of steelworks and a tool preservation society, but nothing that matches my need. I may have to end up wrapping them in thick plastic with sheets of rust inhibiting paper, but that is a second best choice.
Colin Bignell
Well, you could give them a spray of oil then dip them in PlastiDip - that'd come of easily enough afterwards.
Hi Colin
Something like this ?
Hope this helps Adrian
Have you actually done this? The PlastiDip data sheet says that the surfaces must be fre of oil and grease, so I would need to know that it works. I would also need to apply it by spray as they are too heavy to lift into a dipping tank.
These moulding tools are for making parts I had huge stocks of when I bought the business about five years ago. I probably have enough for at least as long again. The moulder wants the space and has asked me to take them away. My idea is to ask them to mount the tools on small pallets, so that I can move them with a pallet truck. I could lift one side at a time with a jack to coat underneath, but I have no way to lift the entire tool.
Colin Bignell
Does this help?
Cheers Andy
Thanks Adrian. That seems to be the search term. It has given me a UK based company as well.
Colin Bignell
Depending on the shape I suspect that a dip would be better than spraying particularly is access is difficult. As these are obviously heavy things I assume they have some form of lifting eye to get them fitted into the moulding machine. Would hiring an engine lifting rig allow you to pick 'em up and dunk 'em? Then transfer to some sort of suitable support to hang 'em from until the coating dries, otherwise you'll have a weak/bare bit of coating where they rest on something.
Thanks to you too. I knew that teamwork was the answer to my problem.
Colin Bignell
Ah - this is the stuff...
Ah, that sounds like good management - get someone to do it voluntarily for you and for nothing !! :>) Well done.
Rob
I've yet to get details of weight and size but, from the cavity size, they have to fit a large machine and I am assuming the tools will weight a few hundred kilos each. They are going to have to live in the storage extension at the back of my garage and, since I wrote the above, I have been thinking about adding a beam supported on wall piers that can take a ratchet chain hoist. Obviously, I need to know actual weights before I can work out the sizing. I knew I would regret selling the fork lift truck.
Colin Bignell
a dehumidifier not an option? When tools are shipped, mineral oil is the usual option.
NT
When it rains heavily water runs under the door. I've had to put on Wellington boots just to wade to the car before now. The extension has the floor raised by 120mm, to keep it from flooding, but it will still be damp in there.
I'm looking to preserve them for at least five years in storage.
Colin Bignell
If you'd posted to uk.rec.models.engineering* you'd have had an answer in a few minutes...but maybe not at 2am in the morning.
I'd be worried about the given storage conditions for the term you're talking about. Unless you manage to do a perfect job with the conformal coating, moisture and oxygen *will* get in. The results won't necessarily show until you remove the coating, either, by which time, it'll be too late.
Might it not be worth hiring a space at one of the (dry) self storage places? Then let their insurance worry about the replacement cost if the damp does get in?
Maybe you need to look at something like a grease/ oil coating, and build a moisture controlled area round them, to permit easy examination and rectification of any problems before they get too bad. From what I've seen, that's the way the military mothball such stuff, sometimes for decades.
The business does not need the extra overhead - it is really only something to keep me occupied a couple of days a week in retirement.
After applying the coating, the plan is to wrap them in 1200 gauge polyethylene sheet, sealed with aluminium tape, with a few sheets of rust inhibiting paper enclosed.
Colin Bignell
In message , "Nightjar "@?.?.invalid> writes
Do you have injection moulding facilities?
I might have a job if so
You can take it to email
No. I outsource all moulding work. It is just that the moulder wants the space these are taking up, which is fair enough as they have not been used in five years to my knowledge and probably longer. I get the impression they are reducing the factory space they have, which suggests it might not be a bad idea for me to have the tools anyway.
Colin Bignell
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