Took the Dive into Casting

I got my starter kit from micromark. it came with some stuff I'll never need. I messed up and wasted a lot on a mold that didn't turn out but I'll recycle it. For I think its 36 oz of the RTV its 40 bucks before shipping. I haven't looked into the resin since I still have all mine. The kit was about 90 bucks. It has the resin, rtv, mixing cups (6) and stir sticks and brushes. It also has clay, spray release and a brush on release. I think that was everything. It also comes with how to instructions that are handy if not vague.

the answers to all your questions could easily be had just by going to >

but...

blaynescott > yes, they have many video tutorials showing how to use their gunk.

their mold making and casting materials care not if your model is produced by a large company or sculpted by thine own hand.


harveytwoface999 > I imagine it would not take a whole trial size to make a mold of the parts of a 6" figure but if you're just starting out you will make some mistakes, I know I did. I find that making 2 part molds works better for me. here are some tutorials for low tech mold and cast making that might answer your questions >

http://thefwoosh.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 6#p1454046

http://customjustice.dchallofjustice.co ... 98&page=15

http://www.ironcowprod.com/features/molding.html

I like using the OOMOO-25 for making molds. it is fantastic at capturing detail and you can make many casts with it.

How easily could the Smooth-On trial size be used on a two-part mold for a 6" or 7" figure after being disassembled? Would I have to use the entire "box" method? Or if I just put half of each part in clay and make the mold that way, how easily would the silicone retain its shape when casting?

Are there tutorials (or even edited youtube videos) of how to make part casts using Smooth-On's trial size package?

I'd love to do that for particular figures heads that I use frequently (XMC Bird of Prey Angel).

Do you know how well it is at casting custom sculpted work? (I.e: 6" heads made from plastic/Aves Sculpt?)

Thanks,
-Blayne

the trial sizes from Smooth-On are great for most customizers' needs. they're 2 lbs. unless you're going to be cranking out a lot of stuff to sell you should be able to make do with them.

you also gotta figure that if you're just starting out you're going to go through a lot at first because you're gonna make mistakes. as you get better and figure out your system for making molds and casts you'll use less. it really doesn't take much resin at all to make a cast of a DCUC or ML head - 2 cc (I use a syringe to measure it) of each part at most.

Yeah, Alumilite trial size is like a pint (like a school milk carton), mostly good for heads/hands/whatever.

What is this talk about 'trial sizes' of casting material? Are there kits geared toward people just starting out?

-Blayne

I'm sorry, I screwed up - I paid about $70 for the stuff I got. was confusing with the bigger sizes.

well if you gotta have a clear MM then I guess you gotta cast it.

if you go to the Smooth-On site they have calculators that will help you figure out how much you need.

Doc is right. for what you'd spend on the trial size mold making and casting kits you'd be better off buying a blank MM from HasbroToyShop.com. you might be able to squeeze out 1 Mighty Mugg out of the trial size kit - which would cost you about $150 bucks. better to use the casting stuff for heads and parts.

xD At that point, it's cheaper to just buy a Mighty Mugg at the store. They're like 10 dollars right? Alumilite is like $30 bucks for a trial size...and that would barely make one Mighty Mugg.