Topic: Mold Making

[Tamer]

Dayton (Sith Fire 30) just posted a great intro video on how to make one of these!

I thought it was high time we had a molding thread too. Share your trials, tips, tribulations, and general thoughts about this.

[Mandalore the skepsis]

Thanks for the link bro...Ive been wanting to pick this up myself.

[Tamer]

Remco has taken it upon himself to give us some great resource material for our upcoming Casting Roundtable. I can't wait to get into that. The tops we are going to talk about for this include:

1. Debate to cast or not to cast that is the question.
2. Materials needed to go about making the molds (pros/cons) best and worst experiences
3. How to make a mold (issues to consider based on the parts needed)
4. How to know your mold is good?
5. Materials needed to make the casts (pros/cons) best and worst experiences
6. How to actually cast using your mold?
7. Casting issues (air bubbles, cure rates, mold release, etc.)
8. Best/Worst Casting Experiences
9. Customizer Casting or Molding Tip (each presenter gets a few minutes).
10. General Questions or Issues we haven't talked about (once around too).

[DocOutlands]

So if anyone has any specific questions to ask the participating casters, get them to the hosts asap!

[Mr. Black]

I've only just begun molding and casting, mainly various headsculpts, but have learned a lot already. Not only by actually doing it, but also from experienced casters (props to Clonehead!). I don't know if it's beginner's luck or skill, but immediately my first few attempts produced some very nice results. I only have a few tiny air pockets, mostly in horns and such.

I think molding/casting is one of those techniques you need to study carefully before jumping in. It's expensive and with every failed attempt you just hear your wallet screaming in agony If you mess up a paint job, you can easily start over again. If you mess up a couple of casts, or molds your casting/molding materials are gone.

I'm really looking forward to the rountable and quite honoured to be part of it.

[Rogue82]

I love the casting roundtable you guys did a few months back and have listened to it several times. I was wondering if any of you had cast any X-Wing Pilot Helmets to be slightly squashy and partially see through. Dayton touched on it briefly when he mentioned his "phase shifting Head" accident but I was wondering if there is a specific product that allows a flexible plastic to be produced?