Anyone ever use Dragon Skin?

[Blackkryptonite]

Anyone ever use Dragon Skin for mold making? I've been using Oomoo for the longest time and while I like the fact that it sets up fast I would really like to try something with a higher tear resistance. So anyone ever use DS? Does it hold up well OR better than stuff like Oomoo?

[Blackkryptonite]

Ah yes the degassing part. I wasn't sure if it would require that or not but if it does then it's something I probably shouldn't use, as I have no means to degas. Can you recommend something that's a little more durable than Oomoo that doesn't require degassing? Thanks!

[megowgsh]

It is ALL I ever use for molds. David Lee turned me on to it about 5 years ago or so.

I was told by my distributor that it was originally made to be used to make casts but its molding properties are out of this world.

It definitely DOES NOT require degassing. I have only recently used a vacuum chamber (coincidentally built by Polyester) and use it all the time now in addition my my pressure pot. But, it is NOT necessary if you have a pressure pot.

[megowgsh]

You either have to pull a vacuum OR pressurize it. I do both just because I can, I guess. But, you really only need to do one.

Without one or the other you WILL get loads of bubbles.

[boss]

David Lee swears by the stuff.

[Blackkryptonite]

Well this is some great first hand info guys and I appreciate you all taking the time to share your experience with me. Polyester, I do not have a pressure pot or a vacuum. I suppose I could look in to getting either or but right now I may just opt to keep using Oomoo. The thought of getting bubbles in my molds is kind of a bummer. Early on in my mold making ventures I definitely made some bad molds. How much do you suppose it would cost to get a simple vacuum chamber built?

[megowgsh]

If you have to choose between the vacuum chamber and the pressure pot go with the pressure pot.

[CrimsonGhost]

For what it's worth, I talked to the service folks at Smooth-On once about using DragonSkin, and told them I didn't have a degasser or pressure pot or anything and they recommended Mold Star 50 ( I think it was 50, I forget). I had very successful results with it.

[Blackkryptonite]

Again, thanks everyone for the info! Polyester, I never have degassed so I guess I'm just lucky but thanks for the compliment! Most of the time my technique for casting is "Sling Casting" mmmmmhmmph That works pretty good for getting an air bubble free cast if you're comfortable with spinning wet resin over your head lol CrimsonGhost, thanks for the info on that Mold Star stuff. I've never heard of it but I'll check it out on their site today.

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I thought you meant this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Skin_(body_armor) (Never used it, we still have inserts.)

As for molds; I use GI-1000 silicone and an injector made from one of them things you use to give babies medicine.

....er.... what's "degassing?"

Don C.

[Blackkryptonite]

Don, degassing is using a vacuum pot to basically suck all the air bubbles out of the rubber before you pour the mold.

[ctc]

>degassing is using a vacuum pot to basically suck all the air bubbles out of the rubber before you pour the mold

Hmmmm.... with the stuff a lot of folks use, I can see that being an issue. I've talked with folks who use materials that cure in a few hours. The stuff I use takes 30+ hours to harden, so air bubbles aren't much of a problem.

Don C.

[Blackkryptonite]

Right, I believe longer cure times in some cases allow for more bubbles to escape the rubber.

[David Lee]

David Lee swears by the stuff.

Yup! that's a fact!

I have never degassed it either Austin, though I almost without exception make my molds under pressure... I like the translucense of the mold for identifying the mold after the fact. Once you get 50-60 molds that all look the same? It's nice to hold it up to the light and make out the part...

-Dave