Mold Making round up and forum start!!!

[ddgaff1132]

Hello again to all.
I'm starting this question post so as to lay out alot of options and explore others in the topic of Mold Making. This may seem less than a question post than any other but here goes.
Right now I'm in the middle of several alternative Mold Making test with multiple Mold Making materials. as opposed to silicone. Silicone is beyond my usage as it produces fumes that are bad for those with breathing difficultys. This I learned from experience and hope others are aware.

Latex: I have a seamed and seamless molds in the works as I write. I am using "WOODLAND SCENICS latex rubber" It seems to be slow going in setting so I am giving it plenty of time to truly hardened.

Dental impression material: I believe this is also referred to as Algienate (forgive possible spelling error) I found this in a kit produced by "SKULLDUGGERY INC." I used the plastic cup method from this site (Sorry to not mention the creator of the tech but my deep thanks reguardless.) The mix to water is kinda tricky as You have to scale it down for single head casting. The finished mold is kind of water like jello. If I could find a good test material I could finalize my tests by producing a positive. I'm thinking of trying watered down plaster to get it to flow properly.

In the past I tried Plaster of Paris as a molding material. As many know this can only be down in the seamed version of mold making and produces a poor positive due to the obvious seam visible on the finished product.

Anyway thats all the input I have on Molding and casting. Anybody want to add to this discussion I think it will help us all.

DDGaff

[ddgaff1132]

update

For those out there reading this topic. I have some results to my test. the latex was as much as expected. The results were bad. Latex seemed too ridgid and lacked support. I use spray lube as a release agent which worked well.
(Dental impression material: I believe this is also referred to as Algienate ) This was the other choice. It worked extremely well. But it is a one cast shot. The only fault I had was bubbles in the mold. the resulting cast showed the presence of these bubbles. I hope to make a vacuum chamber to cure this problem.

Now my thoughts are on what matterial to use to reproduce the final reproduction. Most polymors and plastics produce fumes that could be hazardous to people with respitory problems.

I still hope for any input and hope this might have given ideas to those who wished to cast items but needed alternatives.
Later All

[Captain_Mego]

Hello , I use Oomo 30 .Its silicone. 2 part even mix simple to use and very user friendly.You wont need any release and need to worrie about hazardness of product.
Its safe to use no fumes easy clean up. Alot of customisers use this product you can get it at smoothon.com They have test kits pretty cheap. Hope this helps you .

[Captain_Mego]

Heres an example of a 2 peice mold make with key ways to lock it together and vents to allow air to flow out of mould. Hope this helps you out. This is a old Mould the new one is much better but you get the Idea.
[IMG][/IMG]

[ddgaff1132]

Thanks Capt. M. If it produces no vapor/odor then I'll surely give it a try. BUt if I can both you with another question. What do you use in the mold to get repro parts. In the past I used vinyl glue (white Elmers or craft) to make shallower items. But the plastics or polymers seem to pose the same risk of harmfull vapor. (My Mother is on Oxygen and has respiratory problems)

[ThatBatmanGuy]

Thanks Capt. M. If it produces no vapor/odor then I'll surely give it a try. BUt if I can both you with another question. What do you use in the mold to get repro parts. In the past I used vinyl glue (white Elmers or craft) to make shallower items. But the plastics or polymers seem to pose the same risk of harmfull vapor. (My Mother is on Oxygen and has respiratory problems)

Then you DO NOT use these products around her: in the house. I use the same stuff as Capt Mego. You can't smell it for the most part, but ALL of these products, rubber or resin, release a vapor. That vapor can give respiratory problems to healthy people. I believe you can check smooth-on's site for a Material Safety Data Sheet. They send one with all purchases. I highly recommend people read these things. Most people don't know just how toxic this stuff really is. If you want to use any of these products, I suggest using them in a garage, side building or outside. I wouldn't take the risk inside with your mother.

Bob

[ctc]

Hmmmm....

I use GI-1000 silicone for all my molds. It has a slight smell to it; so if someone in the house has respiratory problems, or if you've got little kids you may want to use it outside. (Or install a powered vent in your workshop.)

I use EasyFlow 60 for the actual castings. It's rigid, holds detail, is durable and dries slightly porous so it'll take paint and epoxy putty really well. But you may want to wear a mask if you're filing or Dremeling it; it creates an extremely fine powder.

Don C.

[johnmiic]

Then you DO NOT use these products...in the house....You can't smell it for the most part, but ALL of these products, rubber or resin, release a vapor. That vapor can give respiratory problems to healthy people. I believe you can check smooth-on's site for a Material Safety Data Sheet. They send one with all purchases. I highly recommend people read these things. Most people don't know just how toxic this stuff really is. If you want to use any of these products, I suggest using them in a garage, side building or outside. I wouldn't take the risk inside...

Bob

But suppose there is someone I want to off? Seems to me this is perfect!

[ThatBatmanGuy]

You may have a point John.

Bob

[misterdroid]

You could forgo resin for casting by using "durham's rock hard water putty". It's cheap, can be found at any home depot/lowes store and produces no toxic fumes. It's a powder that mixes with water 1:1 or so like plaster but dries to an incredible plastic like hardness (unlike plaster). Plus once you get the hang of mixing, it pours very smooth. You may have to fill some air bubbles, but with trial and error you will get better and better with the stuff. It works great with rubbery molds and unlike resin it won't eventually tear your mold apart.
A quick tip if you do this: place your mold on a board with several identical sponges under it. After you pour the Durham's, gently pound the board with your fist. It brings the bubbles to the surface and produces a much smoother casting. It will be boring and tedious, as durham's takes 10 minutes or so to set, and pounding a board for 10 minutes is a LONG 10 minutes.

[misterdroid]

Also for molds there is a great product that I have only used once or twice. It's a silocone based putty that you hand mix with a fixative to cure. It is almost the exact consistency of silly putty. In fact, I broke my arm really bad a few years ago in tragic skateboarding accident and this stuff(minus hardener) is what they gave me in physical rehab to maintain my hand strength by constantly kneading it.
Product description (cut and paste):
Make a mold in just 5 minutes with this RTV silicone putty. Use your fingers to mix equal amounts of parts A and B and press the putty around your pattern. After 5 minutes, remove your pattern and your mold is ready for use. Fill mold with resin, plaster, wax... anything. Safe for skin contact.
Excellent for making duplicate or replacement parts Quick and Easy!
i have only ever seen it offered here:Products for Casting and Mold Making
But I am sure you can find it elsewhere if you research.

[ddgaff1132]

Thanks to all.

Thanks to all how responded with great ideas to help in my moldmaking situation. Im thinking of trying the old 2 form plaster mold tech. I still think Vinyl glue (AKA elmers) is the best medium for casting. I used it in shallow mold to make ammo packs for a JI Joe army belt. I just layed a piece of elastic strap (dyed green of course) across a half filled mold and topped it off with white glue and green paint mix. It dried around the elastic perfectly.
DDGaff