Question about casting parts

[Uberman]

Hey, to those of you who make molds and do castings and stuff, are there any recommendations for someone starting out? I'm mostly interested in making simple things, a few blasters and rifles to give gunless robots [basic ones like Perceptor's, maybe Universe Dropshot's] and maybe a bit of a more complicated side project I'd be interested in perusing.

Any help or advice [input on how difficult it is and what sort of time and materials are needed] would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[jourdo]

You can get fairly cheap "starter kits" from a local hobby shop. I have played with the Alumite (sp?) kits with hit and miss luck so far. However, it is a cheap investment to get started with.

I'm struggling with making a decent form to work off of... and when I do get a good form, I run into the air bubble issue. Overall, it is a learning curve and I think you need to spend the time working on it to get it perfected.

I'd love to hear from the experts on this topic as well.

[Tekkamanraiden]

I just purchased the Alumilite Mini Casting kit and it has worked out pretty good so far. I do get some very small bubbles but from what I've read that happens unless you use a vacuum chamber.

[jourdo]

Are you doing one piece or 2 part molds?

I'm trying to learn the 2 part method, and this is where I'm running into my issues.

[Uberman]

What kind of impact does making a cast have on the original? I don't want to wreck anything in the process, but I've thought of a few more things that could be great to make duplicates of for whatever reason [Drift's sword, for example, in a non-floppy material].

[jourdo]

Originally Posted by Uberman

What kind of impact does making a cast have on the original? I don't want to wreck anything in the process, but I've thought of a few more things that could be great to make duplicates of for whatever reason [Drift's sword, for example, in a non-floppy material].

Nothing major. I've used it on a custom head and TFcon's Powered Commander parts and had no issues with either.

[Aernaroth]

Putting your mold on some form of agitator like a washing machine may help to remove some of those bubbles.

[Tekkamanraiden]

I'm just doing 1 piece molds for now, I did see a video on how to make a 2 part mold. If I find it I'll post the link.

[Bruticus82]

Originally Posted by Aernaroth

Putting your mold on some form of agitator like a washing machine may help to remove some of those bubbles.

Yes, this helps. I've seen one made out of a vibrating electronic back massager and some plywood, the vibrations bring the bubbles up to the top of the mold where hopefully you've included some open resevoirs so the bubbles can come to the top and burst.

[justprime]

If you are in the to area contact sculpter supply canada talk to terry,....they carry all supplies to do castings, carving etc plus books and also do classes, aluminite is far to expensive I have found and is a poor resin,..myself I use smooth cast products,... various resins that will pour with little to no bubbles various shear strenght with flexable or semi flexable , metalic etc resins and various pot time's etc they carry a number of different resins and molding products (silicon, latex, etc) to suit your needs and a friendly knowlegable staff always ready to help with questions .they will also do mail order for those out of town.