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Topic: Higgin´s Boat in Argentina - Ushuaia January 2014 |
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Higgins Fan
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Jan 13, 2014 - 6:21pm
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I have been in discussions with base commander, he ran it up the flag pole. No joy. The next step is pursue rapid prototyping with 3d technology and pour one in China.
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National WWII Museum
PT-305 Restoration
Phone: 504-528-1944 Extension 375
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/collections/artifacts/pt-305.html
Fb: PT-305 "USS Sudden Jerk"
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Total Posts: 128 | Joined:
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 15, 2014 - 4:43pm
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Made in China....Really!?
What happened to made in America??
Weren't the original exhausts, Lost wax castings in Bronze? I know the Navy used to have a foundry at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, years ago. Contact Kim Nielsen at the Washington Navy Yard museum, I am sure he can point you in the right direction. If you can, why not have the Navy make it?
If this does not work, my old dentist and his son( I went to High School with David and Bob Turner) own and operate their own bronze art foundry on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. They mainly deal in wild life/ water fowl bronze sculpture, but they might be persuaded to do a special project.
http://www.turnersculpture.com
Dr Turner, who I have know since I was 13, Is a very patriotic American, and I think he might be interested in helping restore PT 305. especially if you tell him the boat used work out of Crisfield, Maryland, which is only an 45 min drive from his house.
Go into his website and check out their work, go to the tab "Public Commissions", I think you will see a few Americans you know here.
If not try:
American Bronze Foundry, Inc.
1650 East Lake Mary Boulevard
Sanford, Florida 32773
http://www.americanbronze.com
Let me know the outcome.
Take care,
TED
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Higgins Fan
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Jan 16, 2014 - 7:50am
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Thank you Ted, I will follow up. My search since my previous China posting was out of frustration. There are three museum boats that will never see water and I hoped to trade for one. I have identified two foundries to pour the castings. One is in Maryland the other in California. We identified a pattern maker and his fee is $15k.
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National WWII Museum
PT-305 Restoration
Phone: 504-528-1944 Extension 375
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/collections/artifacts/pt-305.html
Fb: PT-305 "USS Sudden Jerk"
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Total Posts: 128 | Joined:
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Frank Andruss
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 16, 2014 - 10:58am
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I would contact Harland Avezzi, and see what he can do the piece for, he deals with as very good Foundry in Connecticut, worth a call............
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TED WALTHER
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 16, 2014 - 11:28am
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Wow!
I think the modeler in me is allowing me to lose perspective a little, it is JUST an exhaust port, Isn't it is just make a mold, and pour the material?
- Unfortunatly, this has of become a lost art, driving up labor and material costs.
- Fortunatly, this has of become a lost art, so quality assurance is higher and attention to detail is also higher.
As I said let me know the out come.
Take care,
TED
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Higgins Fan
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Jan 16, 2014 - 1:35pm
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I contacted everyone you referred. Mr. Kim Nielsen was replased by Jim Brans (sp) and I reached out to the curator branch via email.
American Bronze and Turner Sculpture received my specs.
I'll update when I learn more.
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National WWII Museum
PT-305 Restoration
Phone: 504-528-1944 Extension 375
http://www.nationalww2museum.org/see-hear/collections/artifacts/pt-305.html
Fb: PT-305 "USS Sudden Jerk"
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Total Posts: 128 | Joined:
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TED WALTHER |
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 16, 2014 - 3:54pm
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I just sent a personal email to Dr Turner to get the wheels turning. complete with photos of the 658 and 305 exhaust ports. I also supplied him with contact info for both boats, if he needs more info and measurements, etc.
Take care,
TED
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Total Posts: 3058 | Joined:
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Higgins Fan
Advanced Member
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Posted on: Jan 16, 2014 - 4:06pm
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Thank you
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National WWII Museum
PT-305 Restoration
Phone: 504-528-1944 Extension 375
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Total Posts: 128 | Joined:
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David Buck
TOP BOSS
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Posted on: Jan 17, 2014 - 4:14am
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Hi, Higgins Fan
I have had a little to do with having different items made from moulds over the years and over here and one of the ways to cut down on costs is, if you have the part that you want moulded take it to the foundry were they will use it to make a sand box mould to pour into.
A very cheap way to go.
If the part is made using investment casting or lost wax casting as is known by some and you have the original part you have to find someone to copy that part in a way that you can make many moulds or only a few, if in this case you would only want a few parts then again the foundry should be able to put you onto someone that would be able to produce the primary mould, again at a reasonable cost.
You should not need to have someone reengineer something you already have.
Of course if you do not have a part or parts to take to the foundry as the drawings should be available one could be made up out of pine as an easy to work material,( I am sure that with the guys you have working on the 305 someone will be able to do this) most foundries would be able to work with this, allow a little bit for shrinkage say 10-15%.
Of course if there are no drawings for the particular exhaust that you are trying to produce the next thing you could do is ask Jerry to take a few photos and measure the items you need, I know that the 658 is a different series Boat but it would get the job done.
Hope this helps a little.
Best of luck so far she looks awesome.
Yours,
D.buck |
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Wayne Traxel
MASTER
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Posted on: Jan 17, 2014 - 3:48pm
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Hi Higgins Fan, I have been lurking on this site following your progress of PT-305 and have been very impressed at the quality workmanship the team has been demonstrating to restore this once combat veteran.
The drawing enclosed is a copy of an original factory plan for a Higgins muffler from the University of New Orleans website.
When I volunteered at the Kenosha Military Museum 2001 to 2006 I learned that trading was better than $$$$. Perhaps a set of Aluminum cast dummy mufflers could be traded for the actual mufflers currently on the non operating static Higgins PT's.
Wayne |
Total Posts: 248 | Joined:
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