Casting question

sci-fi-bldr · Post by **sci-fi-bldr** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:23 pm

Hope this is the place for this question...

I'm in the process of 'resizing' a 24 scale figure...down a few sizes

The original is a old WWII pilot...it's broken down into...main trunk w/legs......2 arms....and I cut off his head...to re-scuplt....or maybe alienize

To my question:

If it works out...I'm going to make a couple of copies for other kits I have around here...

With simple rubber molds...and some typical resin....(no vac/pressure system)....what to you think my chances of getting the thin areas..like the tips of the fingers to pour??

Any tips??

USS Atlantis · Post by **USS Atlantis** » Wed May 13, 2009 8:35 pm

Having poured some thin molds there are a couple things I can think of

Tip #1 - use VERY thin resin - Smooth-Cast 300 or 320 series are my choices

Tip #2 - Definitely use mold release or Talc powder

Tip #3 - Once you pour the resin - tap the mold/shake the table - something to agitate the resin inside the mold to release any bubbles still hiding down in there

That's all I can think of off the top of my head

Good luck on that

Rogviler · Post by **Rogviler** » Wed May 13, 2009 11:00 pm

Along the lines of #3 above, something to vibrate the mold helps, as I found when casting some things for my Red October. This could be a cheap massager or a cell phone...

-Rog

modelnutz · Post by **modelnutz** » Thu May 14, 2009 5:29 am

Urethane is mass dependent.... meaning, thin sections do not cure well.
The best solution is to warm the molds before pouring.
1/2 hour in an oven set to 180 degrees does the trick.

Second tip....powder your molds with talc powder ( if you use baby powder...be sure that it's talc and not cornstarch...check the ingredients
on the back to be sure )
It doesn't take much...just a light dusting...then blow the excess from the molds....then pour.

Best of luck to ya'

USS Atlantis · Post by **USS Atlantis** » Thu May 14, 2009 6:23 am

Ya, what 'nutzy' said

Seriously, Ed is a lot more experienced than I am - listen to the Modelnutz, the Modelnutz is wise!

sci-fi-bldr · Post by **sci-fi-bldr** » Thu May 14, 2009 3:08 pm

Thanks guys........I'll have to give those a try...I've done simple one piece rubber molds before.......never a two piece......we shall see

modelnutz · Post by **modelnutz** » Thu May 14, 2009 10:53 pm

Sci-Fi... if you're going to Wonderfest...stop by the SSM table and ask for modelnutz....we'll talk molding and casting.

sci-fi-bldr · Post by **sci-fi-bldr** » Fri May 15, 2009 12:21 am

I'll be there ........I'll axed for ya