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Making
an Acorn Shaped Projectile - Ben Sumner |
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idea came to me one day while looking for suitable rocks
at one of the local creeks I spotted the large acorn
from the bur or burl oak tree (Quercus macrocarpa) laying
in my path. I added it to the bag of rocks and headed
home once home I made sure it was clean and not cracked
anywhere. I then made a line that divided it into two
halves then I made a small box out of cardboard and
tape. Then I mixed up enough plaster to fill the box
halfway and pushed the acorn in until the line was even
with the top of the plaster you may want to rub a little
oil or cooking grease on to the acorn to make it easier
to remove. Now wait for the plaster to harden depending
on the mixture it may be a few minutes to an hour for
it to set up enough to proceed. After it has set rub
the acorn and the plaster with more cooking grease so
that your mold will come apart. Then mix up more plaster
to fill the box let it sit till dry now comes the fun
part opening it up and seeing if it worked. The two
halves should pop apart with little to no effort needed.
The acorn may need a little work to get it freed (I
forgot to grease one half and had to destroy the acorn).
Now its up to you on where to add the pour spout to
the mold I put it on the top or the small end. To make
the hole I taped the mold together and used a 1⁄4”
drill bit turned by hand. Then it was outside to pour
the first lead acorn. I began by making sure the mold
halves where aligned I then taped them together and
began to melt the lead. I used a dipper and a small
propane torch. I melted just enough for one pour I knew
the first wouldn’t come out right and they wont
until the mold is warm. after the second pour they came
out perfect just needed a little filling on the seams
and around the spur which you can clip off with wire
cutters . I was only able to get 5 good pours before
the mold cracked I believe it cracked from being to
thin. Then it was off to give one a try. Keep in mind
my throwing style needs work. I was able to get it about
100 yards or so I wasn’t able to use full power
for fear of taking out the neighbors horse or truck.
It bounced on landing leaving a depression about 1⁄2”
to 1” deep in the wet somewhat soft ground more
testing to come.
- Ben Sumner
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2007 Slinging.org |
