Base mould

[matty1001]

How would i make a mould so i could make repetitive bases really quickly?

 

[airhead]

this stuff is available at my local hobby shop:

http://www.smooth-on.com/proto.htm

Silicone Rubber for the mold and casting resin for the parts. The first one is going to cost you between $50 & $100 after that, they get cheap.

You can also check out Micro Mark

Another option is to puchase resin bases from someone like Spacemunkie.

 

[matty1001]

Would a Vacuum Formed sheet work? Because i can use one of those at the school my brother goes to.

 

[No Such Agency]

Also make sure your base is amenable to casting. That means not too many \"undercuts\", etc.

Vacuformed plastic might work if the detail is not too fine, and there are NO undercuts. Like zero undercuts at all. And the base shape would need to be fairly \"tapered\" so you can get it out of the plastic form.

 

[matty1001]

Cheers NSA, iv formed stuff in this way before, but only basic shapes. Would the plastic hold out though with the casting poured in? I what could i use for the cast? resin, lead?

 

[No Such Agency]

I\'m pretty sure lead is right out with a plastic mold! But resin should be okay as long as it doesn\'t stick to the plastic somehow.

 

[matty1001]

O yea! Would melt it! silly me! Anything other then resin? Like plaster or paris or something as cheap?

 

[Swordwind]

Shouldnt WD-40 or Talcum powder work as a release agent?

 

[Dragon Forge Design]

To cast resin you ned to use a RTV molding material. Resin would bond with plastic.

You can cast plaster into a RTV rubber mold, like Hirst Arts molds.

 

[demonherald]

I\'ve seen a few people use plaster...
Probably better if you just make the detail for the top of the base and stick on the cast shape with pva as plaster chips a lot ..Ok on the base detail adds to weathering but on the sides can cause probs later on.

 

[matty1001]

Yea it would have been a top of the base mould, which i would then stick on. So would laster do the job for that? I would mainly be casting stone bases and rock formation\'s so a little chipping wouldnt really effect it too much.

 

[airhead]

sounds do-able. Still need some RTV to make the mold. Don\'t use plan PoP. Try some Durhams Rock Hard Putty, a bit harder than PoP and still available at the DiY centers.

Check out the hints & tips at www.hirstarts.com Good stuff on casting and molding.

 

[Torn blue sky]

Rewarding, cirtainly. But too much time. I\'m calling in on spacemunkie lol
Good luck Matty, let us know how it turns out!