To the moulders out there......

Army of One · June 16, 2011, 09:28:29 AM

Hello.....looking for a little point in the right direction.....I have looked as quite a few bits via Google/eBay......I want to have a go at doing some moulding....

My question is to those that do it already....can you please supply any brand names of stuff you use and are happy with...? I thought I could go to hobbycraft n get a starter kit,they used to do them,but the aisle it used to be on in my local one is now a shelf. I would like to try n make a reusable silicon(?) soft bendy pop out the made bit type mould. I have rough idea how to do this but am confused by the multitude of stuff I have dug up. Obviously be trying to make moulds from plastic items.....read some stuff that includes possibility of heat being given off...I had considered the bath sealant mould I have seen done but it states that the more they used the bigger chance of tearing it......and a decent release agent to use. I have read quite a bit n seen varying prices....that's why members recommendations would be a help as I wouldn't know if I was buying sh1t or not.....manta thanks for reading and if you reply....even bigger thanks......H

rallymodeller · June 16, 2011, 09:36:48 AM

I used to do resin casting as a job. The company I worked for, Blap! Models, used Smooth-On almost exclusively. My suggestion is to email Dave "Blappy" Guertin, proprietor of Blap!, and ask his advice about what you need specifically. There are many compounds of resin and RTV silicon and what you will need depends on what exactly you plan to do with it (level of detail, number of "pulls" from the mold, how fast you want the resin to set and so forth).

Army of One · June 16, 2011, 10:10:25 AM

Many thanks for the reply....I forgot to mention I'm in the UK....depending on local replies I'll give it a go next week when not working......again,thanks for the advice.....H

Martin H · June 16, 2011, 10:46:03 AM

hank, ill pm you at the weekend mate:)

Bungle · June 16, 2011, 12:03:58 PM

Hi AofO

Not sure if its of any use to you but I have a couple of 250cc cans of Clear Plaster Resin by a Dutch company 'KARS' under the name 'Make Me!'.
Both cans come with a 6ml hardener bottle. They are still wrapped up in cellophane and I reckon I've had them for about 5 years (does it go off?).

I bought them with the intention of making some resin door handles after breaking a wooden one in the house. As it was I never got around to doing it and door has brass handles now.

I have no idea whether the resin is still any good or if it will serve your purpose but they are yours for the cost of the postage if you want them.

Bungle

Army of One · June 16, 2011, 02:36:58 PM

Bungle.....sounds great......should be ok....PM me the cost and I will send you an addy....don't have paypal but sure we can sort it.......H

Bungle · June 16, 2011, 02:53:08 PM

Will parcel it up over the weekend and send you the details - I reckon if you send me the stamps that may be the best idea. I'll PM you at the weekend (sorry work gets in the way).

B

Army of One · June 16, 2011, 03:28:42 PM

That be cool.....I got the same problems.....out of interest,what are your modelling interests....??

Hobbes · June 17, 2011, 01:01:44 AM

Is this stuff allowed in the mail? The hardener is probably MEK, which is rather nasty.

Bungle · June 17, 2011, 03:31:49 AM

Quote from: Hobbes on June 17, 2011, 01:01:44 AM
Is this stuff allowed in the mail? The hardener is probably MEK, which is rather nasty.

Good point ..... I'll check it out. ArmyofOne ..... where are you in the UK ?

Army of One · June 17, 2011, 09:33:11 AM

I Crawley n work in Wandsworth if that helps.....don't mind meeting if darn sarf.....

Bungle · June 17, 2011, 11:05:28 AM

I'm one of the bowling coaches at Hollywood Bowl in Crawley on a Saturday morning ! I'll be there from 9.00am until 11.00ish if that helps.

Can't miss me big fat and bald wearing a blue club shirt. If in doubt ask anyone for Andy.

Army of One · June 17, 2011, 01:30:13 PM

Bungle......working this Saturday but off next Saturday if that's ok..?? I'll ge the coffee's in.......

Bungle · June 17, 2011, 02:09:35 PM

and I'm working next weekend ! Week after ? or PM me your address and I'll drop them round one evening.

Martin H · June 20, 2011, 01:45:47 PM

just a quick note. Resin does have a shelf life. longest ive had any sitting around is about a year.
But not knowing the brand Bungle mentions I wouldnt know what the shelf life for that brand is. 5 years sounds a bit to long to me thou.