I have designed rubber "boots" that go on the end of gatling gun recoil adapters for naval use. They are kind of like hoods. The molds were always very cheap- the makers wanted something like $300 if I remember. I think they are just mild steel. There is heat involved to cure the rubber but not a high heat - my guess is 2-300 degrees.
Joe
At 10:40 AM 11/11/00 -0500, swampmtn wrote:
>Which brings me back to an old question - how are gum hoods made? Is there
>any heat involved? I work in a machine shop, where I'd have little trouble
>having some molds made-up. So, what material is used? Why are some Campy
>hoods transparent amber, while some are opaque amber?
>
>I'd love to be able to make those heavy, thick Balilla hoods, so any info
>would be much appreciated.
>
>Aldo "sunny mid-50s fixed-gear day in Ohio" Ross
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <OROBOYZ@aol.com>
>To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
>Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2000 8:59 AM
>Subject: [Classicrendezvous] Old gum hoods
>
>
>> In a message dated 11/10/00 11:03:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,
>> Bikerdaver@aol.com writes:
>>
>> << I was under the impression that the
>> liquid latex that they use on tire sidewalls also works to some degree
>with
>> dryed-out gum hoods. >>
>>
>> I experimented with a new batch of liquid latex on some dried up and
>> crumbling Galli hoods after we discussed this last time..
>>
>> The result was a kinda of an odd but not altogether bad amber colored
>> gelatinous finish. Problem is it is not durable at all and might be OK for
>> rare use and mostly display only.
>>
>> Still searching for a real curative for aging gum brake hood
>covers.........
>>
>> Dale Brown