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GHOSTHUNTER wrote:I can recommend Ian's website with no reservations, go visit and you will learn something.

GHOSTHUNTER.

I'll second that - an excellent site indeed

Ian - I'm finding that the few Crescent I have so far are what I believe to be a total mix of slush, hollow and diecast. I promise to post pictures up as soon as I can, I have a little woodwork to finish first!

Ewan wrote:Ian - I'm finding that the few Crescent I have so far are what I believe to be a total mix of slush, hollow and diecast. I promise to post pictures up as soon as I can, I have a little woodwork to finish first!

Ok so for the purposes of this discussion we are calling this slush cast (or is it hollow cast?):
Barclay Boat-tail Roadster


this is hollow cast (or is it diecast?):
Crescent 804 Police Car


and this is diecast:
Kemlow M-12 Quad Tractor


Ian

The 'BARCLAY' model is classed as Slush cast in America, in the UK This is often classed as Hollow cast.

The 'CRESCENT' POLICE car is die cast (the Two words should be separate, the model has been cast in a Die).

The 'KEMLOW' is also a die cast model.

The Barclay has been cast in a crude Two piece die hence the ugly moulding line (flashing of escaping metal), along the centre of the model.

The Crescent and Kemlow castings have ejector pin operation within the dies.

A true Slush cast casting has been made under gravity with sometimes centrifugal assistance to help the metal flow into all areas. Many Slush cast models have a very uneven inside surface and no open window areas. Depending on the subject, these are heavy models due to the overall thickness of the metal used.
No window openings.
Very similar to the Barclay model.

Ghosthunter.

GHOSTHUNTER wrote:The 'BARCLAY' model is classed as Slush cast in America, in the UK This is often classed as Hollow cast.

The 'CRESCENT' POLICE car is die cast (the Two words should be separate, the model has been cast in a Die).
Ghosthunter.

That's what I thought - slush cast and hollow cast are the same and I did think myself that the Crescent was die cast (satisfied Mr Pedant?) however I was trying to clarify with Ewan what we were identifying as slush, hollow and die cast items and simply chose 3 models as examples... I have a number of true slush cast American items by Kansas Toy and Novelty co and others as well as the slush/hollow cast style of items and HEAPS of DIE CAST!!

Ian

This is probably me getting it wrong, I would agree with all the definitions on the models shown. However, I thought there was a difference between slush and hollow cast. I thought slush was basically where the mould was filled, metal tipped out through an open base (or a base with large holes such as the Barclay) before it had all cooled and you get a model with relatively thick walls and a rough interior. I thought the process for hollow cast was very similar but you get a model with thinner walls and the surplus molten metal exits through a tiny hole and the finished model is virtually enclosed.

I don't think you are really that far out Ewan with your thinking. The earliest model making method I know of is as basic as pouring molten metal (usually a crude Lead based mixture), into a jelly mould, let it set or cure and bang the side of the mould until the model falls out, this to me has always been Slush casting, very basic models are the result.

Ghosthunter.

Ewan wrote:There is a Patrick Trench book called 'Model Cars and Road Vehicles' which you can get on an ebay 'Buy It Now' for around £2.50 to £3. It's not a conclusive guide, and nor does it claim to be, but it has excellent pictures and enough information to make it a good read. It's my favourite of the three.

I think there must be a mistake in an online database somewhere, because Patrick's book is also often listed as 'Model Cars and Other Road Vehicles'. Howver, this is exactly the same publication. (Actually, I see that there is a nice cheap copy for sale on Ebay right now!)

Here is the cover of Patrick's book.
Ghosthunter.