Molding Update

Using Smooth-On’s skin-safe mold-making materials, we managed to pull a silicone cast of a baku head that I made out of Sculpey.

Using good ‘ol plaster of paris, we managed to make a plaster baku head.

Conclusion the First: Not terribly easy, not terribly hard. We’ve pulled two plaster heads, one marginally more successful than the other, and they came out…okay. Despite our best efforts, we’ve got air bubbles in the mold that leave blobs of plaster that have to be sanded off, and there were big overruns in the back, so each plaster piece requires extensive retouching with the Dremel and some touch-ups with Apoxie.

Conclusion the Second: This was a stupidly ambitious design. Kevin wants to retry it as a two part mold. I’m going to try another version that involves really cheap silicone caulk, as recommended by my stepfather, and see if I can’t get a more perfect mold.

Conclusion the Third: Barring radical success of those projects, and owing to sheer difficulty of casting this particular design—tapir snouts, who knew?—and all the post-processing required, the Baku at least may be an art-show only kinda thing, where I do maybe three, four, five, with different paint jobs. Since my ultimate goal is to mass-produce a couple of designs sufficiently to offer at the table or on-line…well, still working. I’m gonna have to try something much less insane, like a happy platypus. (Mmm…platypus…)

Conclusion the Fourth: Not entirely sure about plaster. It’s easy to work with, and the end results have a lot of heft, but they’re still kinda fragile objects.  On the other hand, the commercially available resins and whatnot are REALLY expensive. May have to try Hydrocal, which is used to make lawn ornaments, and supposed to be a little tougher.

I can see the plaster working okay for a thing hung on the wall, but not for something that sits on your desk. We’ll see how the painted versions come out…

35 thoughts on “Molding Update

  1. Korbl says:

    I hate that I can think of this to suggest it, but… it might be worth it to send an email to bad-dragon.com and see if they have any tips. Radically different product, but they do mass produce, essentially, um.. silicone novelties of unusual shape.

  2. Wookieegunner says:

    Do you remember the actual name of the Smooth-On you used. Based on the color, it looks like a Platinum Silicone. Did you use a brush on? I’m not sure where you would split a two part mold, it really looks to me like something that needs a good sock mold.

    Also, on hydrocal, it is harder and heavier. Woodland Scenics sells a Lightweight Hydrocal that is half the weight, don’t know what it does to the strength. Hirst Arts lists some additional suggestions in their casting tutorial: http://www.hirstarts.com/casting/casting.html

    Also, if you haven’t done it yet, you might try emailing Smoot-On and ask if they have any suggestions on how to minimize the aird bubbles.

    And if you try brush on, remember to tint every even layer with acrylic paint in the part A.

  3. Francisco Moline says:

    Thanks a lot for giving everyone a very superb chance to read from this website. It is always very sweet and jam-packed with fun for me and my office co-workers to search your blog a minimum of 3 times in a week to find out the fresh stuff you have. And lastly, I’m also always happy for the splendid tips and hints you give. Certain 2 facts on this page are particularly the most efficient I’ve ever had.

  4. Rubin Segee says:

    Mothers Polo Tees are of a number of materials along the lines of Polo Healthy E-book, Polo For some time Sleeve, Polo shorter Sleeve, Substantial and additionally striped. Polo Fit and healthy Guidebook can be found in Memorable Polo, 40’s Polo, Your five Alternative Polo along with Tunic Polo. Fantastic Polo involves 94% pure cotton and thus 6% elastane. Gives ribbed receiver collar using a pair pulls and even sleeve cuff. It’s got lengthy shape period of 25 in the and therefore 24 with the spine,http://www.lacostepolosell.com, accompanied by a stretchable period of Not one but two.Five different. 3 choice Polo comes with an far more amount of 4.4 and also 5 various icon placket at the front.

  5. BNS Gold says:

    The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a forty foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!

  6. informative post says:

    After exploring a number of the blog posts on your web site, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Take a look at my website too and let me know your opinion.

  7. Full Post says:

    My spouse and I stumbled over here different web page and thought I might check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to checking out your web page repeatedly.

  8. no teletrack payday loans says:

    This design is incredible! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!

  9. website link says:

    I also like Flash, however I am not a good designer to design a Flash, but I have software program by witch a Flash is automatically created and no additional to work.

  10. cedar finance says:

    You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart. “We may pass violets looking for roses. We may pass contentment looking for victory.” by Bern Williams.

  11. seo uk reviews says:

    You are so interesting! I don’t suppose I’ve read a single thing like that before. So good to find another person with a few original thoughts on this subject matter. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This website is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality!

  12. Watch Gay Porn Online says:

    Superior day! This really is my very first take a look at for your blog! We’re a team of volunteers and beginning a new project in a community inside the exact same niche. Your blog supplied us valuable facts to operate on. You have got performed a outstanding job!

  13. look at this web-site says:

    I was very happy to find this website. I need to to thank you for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely really liked every little bit of it and i also have you saved to fav to look at new things in your site.

  14. original site says:

    Good day! I know this is kinda off topic nevertheless I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest authoring a blog article or vice-versa? My website discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you are interested feel free to send me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!

  15. power pruner says:

    Hey there! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone 4! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the outstanding work!

  16. he has a good point says:

    Aw, this was a very nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to generate a top notch article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.

  17. More Info Here says:

    Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is important and all. Nevertheless think about if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with pics and videos, this site could definitely be one of the very best in its field. Awesome blog!

  18. Pura Donhoe says:

    excellent post, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector don’t notice this. You must proceed your writing. I’m confident, you have a huge readers’ base already!

  19. Curcumin Turmeric says:

    I intended to write you this very small observation so as to say thanks a lot the moment again for these fantastic advice you’ve shown on this website. This has been really wonderfully generous of people like you to deliver extensively what many individuals would have made available as an ebook to get some money for their own end, certainly considering the fact that you might have done it in case you considered necessary. The advice also served to become easy way to comprehend many people have the same keenness really like mine to grasp more on the topic of this condition. I’m certain there are some more enjoyable situations up front for those who discover your blog.

  20. Private Label Supplements says:

    I intended to put you this bit of word to be able to say thanks a lot again considering the amazing methods you’ve provided on this website. This is shockingly open-handed of you to supply extensively just what some people would’ve advertised as an electronic book to generate some bucks for themselves, notably given that you could have tried it in case you wanted. The ideas also served as a good way to recognize that other people online have the identical zeal just like my own to realize significantly more when it comes to this problem. I know there are numerous more enjoyable sessions in the future for folks who look into your website.

  21. visit the website says:

    I do like the way you have framed this difficulty and it really does provide us some fodder for thought. On the other hand, through just what I have observed, I simply just wish as the actual responses pile on that people continue to be on point and in no way start upon a soap box associated with some other news of the day. Still, thank you for this exceptional point and whilst I do not really concur with this in totality, I respect the point of view.

  22. contact us says:

    Thanks so much for giving everyone an extraordinarily special possiblity to read articles and blog posts from this blog. It is usually very enjoyable and as well , full of a good time for me personally and my office peers to visit your site minimum thrice in 7 days to read through the latest things you have got. And indeed, I’m just actually satisfied with the excellent inspiring ideas you serve. Certain 2 ideas on this page are really the most effective we have all ever had.

  23. find says:

    I precisely needed to thank you very much all over again. I’m not certain the things I might have taken care of in the absence of the actual hints provided by you over this area. It had been a hard condition in my view, however , spending time with the very specialized style you solved the issue forced me to leap for fulfillment. Extremely happy for this work as well as sincerely hope you recognize what an amazing job you are always carrying out training most people all through your web site. More than likely you’ve never encountered all of us.

Leave a Reply