ANODES AGAIN

[nordic_ranger]

I HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE MY OWN ANODES (THE TEARDROP SHAPE) AND HAVE MADE MOULDS OUT OF PLASTER. MY CONCERN IS THE SUITABILITY OF THIS MATERIAL AND WHAT REACTION MIGHT BE GIVEN OFF WHEN CASTING. ANYBODY GOT EXPERIENCE OF MAKING ANODES AND WHAT MATERIAL DID YOU USE TO MAKE THE MOULDS.

 

[VMALLOWS]

Can't see any problem...assuming you have free supplies of zinc. But given the price of a large pear-shaped one (about £6 new at a jumble) don't really see the point.

Now the pencil anodes that go in the engine are a different thing entirely! £9 for something 45mm long X 10mm wide! pobably worth melting a big anode, moulding the pencils, and selling them at the yacht club. OK, with a disclaimer.

 

[nordic_ranger]

Thanks VMALLOWS
Unfortunately the Chanderly at my local Marina charges £17 each for the pear shape anodes, but I will now look at boat jumbles. The engine anode is a good idea and there is plenty of old anodes lying around the hard standing so raw material is not a problem.

 

[Joe_Cole]

I cast my anodes using sand. Use a fine sand, slightly damped, and it works well. Don't get it too wet......the hot metal will make it steam violently.

Joe

 

[drawp]

Last month I bought a zinc 1" shaft anode in Le Foret, South Brittany, for less than 10 Euros. The package stated that its specification met NC431990 STCAN 22.9.1960. (whatever that is!). Is the metal in this anode any different from, say, an anode that you would pay 17 quid for from a UK chandlers? For the hell of it I put both this cheap one and an expensive one on the prop shaft. It will be interesting to see if there is any difference in their performance at the end of next year.