Making some moulds (3 Viewers)

[Norman508a]

After my son & i craved so many bricks for our dioramas for the dinner this year we had a chat and decided to try and make some moulds.

The first moulds we have made are some different brick stairs, i'm not 100% sold on them but they should save us some time.

 

[theBaron]

Nicely done! What was your master/model for making the mold? And what materials do you have available to you, for the molds, and for casting?

We have a company local to us here in the Lehigh Valley, Smooth-On. I saw a demonstration of their products last night at a local technology center, and I'm going to try them myself, for resin casting. They're very easy to use.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Norman508a]

Nicely done! What was your master/model for making the mold? And what materials do you have available to you, for the molds, and for casting?

We have a company local to us here in the Lehigh Valley, Smooth-On. I saw a demonstration of their products last night at a local technology center, and I'm going to try them myself, for resin casting. They're very easy to use.

Prost!
Brad

Hi Brad,

We made the master from insulation foam, its a yellow foam that is easy to carve with a scalpel or hacksaw blade.

The mold is liquid silicone and only takes around 20 minutes to set, the casting agent is a product called hydrostone which is like plaster of paris only way harder.

I have used resin in the past with this product and it works well, it just takes a little while longer to cure than the hydrostone.

Matt

 

[mikemiller1955]

nice work Matt...
they came out very attractive...
I have used hydrostone a lot...
it's a great fast setting high PSI material...

 

[Norman508a]

I am making some brick walls at the moment, i made mold of the small one so far.

 

[OzDigger]

Great work on the bricks Matt, the colours are very realistic.

 

[waynepoo]

That's the ticket Matt...………..

 

[Norman508a]

That's the ticket Matt...………..

We have made a larger section of wall, but we haven't done the silicone pour yet.:salute::

 

[wayne556517]

Great thread

 

[Norman508a]

Just a quick update, we have made a archway and large wall section.
Unfortunately there is a weak point at the top of the arch, i have recast the arch and will add some extra brick work to stiffen it.

 

[Al Fisher]

Silicon molds can be very costly if your going to make a lot of them. If you go to a craft store you'll find a relatively inexpensive latex compound that can can be brushed on a two-dimensional master such as you have. Several coats are required before you have a mold sturdy enough for use. You must then form a plaster base around the latex mold to make it sturdy enough for casting. May take a bit more time, but latex molds work well at a fraction of the cost.

Bosun Al

 

[Norman508a]

I have made a couple of new molds, this is the first one a wall section with bricks at the base and timber at the top.

The second one is still curing and is a door and window section, once it has cured i will cast and post.

 

[Norman508a]

The door way mold has cured, so i made a casting and gave it a quick paint job.

 

[Norman508a]

I have done some costings for the molds i have made so far.

Pouring silicone $132 Australian for 2kg, i have used around 1kg so far at a cost of $66.

I have made 9 different molds at a cost of $7.34 each.

The polystone cost $32 for 5kg and i have used around a kilo so far, i have made around 50 casting at a cost of $0.128 per piece.

I hope this encourages more forum member to give it a try.

Matt

 

[Norman508a]

A couple of photos of of some of the castings joined together and painted.
My son said i should build a new display for our collection, but i have no idea what i am building or for what time period.
I just keep adding things together and see if it looks right.{sm4}

 

[theBaron]

Those came out really nice, Norman! As good as any commercial product, I think.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Norman508a]

Those came out really nice, Norman! As good as any commercial product, I think.

Prost!
Brad

Thanks Brad,

The next molds i will try and make are a slate style roof and a road of some kind.

Matt

 

[wayne556517]

Don't stop mate it is looking good so far.{bravo}}

 

[Norman508a]

I have made my tile roof mold and am quite happy with how it has turned out.

 

[Norman508a]

I thought i would make a facade with some of the pieces i have cast, i think i got carried away.{sm4}
I still have some window frames to make and a door.