[cadman]

Shortlite.
Sagacious and others are right on here. Here is some advice if you intend on doing this yourself. I have modified a lot of molds. However I am a designer, and I use (3) cad packages to design. The reason I’m stating this is this. This is how I go about modifying molds. You have to think this whole process through. #1. Layout the details you want to modify on a piece of paper drawing it 1:1 scale (I draw on a computer). This has to be accurate, as you will need to transfer this image to both mold halves. If you are going to do this to multiple cavities, and they are different sizes, then you need to take scaling as a factor, if you want to keep everything proportional. #2. Once you have it drawn, place your drawing over your cavity and trace it out carefully. I use dye chem. (a blue transfer ink) on the mold, and use an exacto blade to trace. The exacto blade will scratch the dye chem. And leave you a clean visible line. #3. You now can transfer this image to the other half of the mold, by previously etching locating points on both mold halves. #4. Once you have your details transferred, I personally use a utility knife and hobby files for detailed work and a dremel to hog out cavities for hook eyes, swivels and any other features that do not need fine detail. The reason I don’t use a dremel for everything is this. Dremel tools have a tendency to wander, especially if you catch an existing corner. Even with a steady hand, you can screw up a mold (but there is fixes for fk ups also, it’s called J B Weld). You’re now done. Some things to note. a) Check your cutting regularly. b) Check your dimension regularly. c) Make sure everything is aligned and on center. d) Check your fit regularly with the mold closed. e) Lastly take your time…. Finally, all of this seems like a lot of work, yes it is. The question you have to ask yourself, like lot of the responses you got here. Are you doing this to try to learn how to modify molds, and quality isn’t that big of a deal? Or do you intend on selling these after you are done? If they are easy details to cut go for it. In the long run it’s cheaper to have a custom shop make you a mold, as they can easily scale different size cavities once the initial profile is done, and the accuracy is second to none. Just some of my past experience and my worth. Ted (Cadman)