Duplicate Resin parts Casting Kit suggestions?

[smileygirlmel86]

Hi Everyone,

I know next to nothing about modeling. I am attempting to purchase a resin casting kit for my husband for Christmas, but I have no idea where to start. He said it would be nice to have one so he can make duplicate parts. Can anyone offer any suggestions on kits that would be good for model building?

Thanks guys!

[MidMazar]

Your husband will be happy once he opens this gift. Although if you can offer some more information about him it might be easier to answer. How long has he been modeling for, does he have any experience with resin casting, and how big are the parts he is replicating? Without making it obvious any more info would help us out more.

But with what you have mentioned, i would go with an alumilite. As its the main resin, and rtv silicone i use. If its his first test trial. This starter set would be nice.
http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail....tegory=Starter Kits&Name=Mini Casting Kit

Same, but a larger set.
http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail....tegory=Starter Kits&Name=Super Casting Kit

And if hes asking for a big setup buy them individually. BTW I've always had good experience with alumlite. And do remember they have a shelf life. Hope this helped at least a bit.

[Lambo003]

Since he's new at casting I would go with a Urethane mold rubber such as this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RTV-Urethane-Mol...item1c146e094d

Simple 50/50 mixing involved (no scale needed for mixing)

It has a quick de-mold time, works with all resins and is very inexpensive.

Perfect for duplicating parts.

Additionally, Pick up some Universal Mold Release in the spray can (Alumilite's works awesome. I never cared much for the brush on mold release), Alumilite Mold clay (or any other sulfur free clay) and some of their resin (if you have a Hobby Lobby close by you can get resin dirt cheap with the 40% off coupon from their website)

The reason I suggest the urethane is due to the ease in mixing and the price. Ya just get more for your money and makes those inevitable mistakes sting a bit less.

Just don't forget that mold release and use it liberally. . .

[star21]

You can also consider trying Smooth-On products: http://www.smooth-on.com/Getting-Sta...217/index.html The OOMOO silicone rubber has a simple 1:1 ratio.

[Rasputen]

Micro-Mark also sells a kit - they pretty much buy other mfrs stuff and re-sell it, but their Rapid One-to-One RTV silicone is pretty easy to use.

[MPWR]

I would buy the smallest set (by volume) possible. Casting supplies have a limited shelf life- a year or so. I've never managed to buy resin and use more than maybe 1/3 of it before it goes bad. Most 'casting kits' are intended for making larger items (say baseball size). In car modeling, there's rarely the need to cast something much larger than cocktail olive or AA battery size.

I would happily spend $20 every year or so on a kit with 8oz of RTV, and 8oz each of a two part resin. But I never can get through a litre of the stuff.

[smileygirlmel86]

Wow guys thanks for all the suggestions! My husband has been building for most of his life; 25+ years. He posts on here all the time, Hawk312 is his name username.
I don't believe he has any experience with resin casting but I'm really not sure. The starter kit mentioned above looks nice.
Thanks again guys for all the help! Happy Holidays!

[bvia]

Originally Posted by MPWR

I would buy the smallest set (by volume) possible. Casting supplies have a limited shelf life- a year or so. I've never managed to buy resin and use more than maybe 1/3 of it before it goes bad. Most 'casting kits' are intended for making larger items (say baseball size). In car modeling, there's rarely the need to cast something much larger than cocktail olive or AA battery size.

I would happily spend $20 every year or so on a kit with 8oz of RTV, and 8oz each of a two part resin. But I never can get through a litre of the stuff.

The trick is to have several 32mm film plastic canisters. When your resin is about to go off, mix some up and pour several "plugs". You then several round blanks for machining/carving/sanding (tires, wheel rims, etc. not to mention non-round parts)...

+1 for the Smooth-On products.

[garnet_garnet]

this is the kit i just used, first time use, it was easy and parts came out pretty decent
noticed that work time is short, maybe some pin holes to fill in parts afterwards
good kit for the $

Originally Posted by MidMazar

Your husband will be happy once he opens this gift. Although if you can offer some more information about him it might be easier to answer. How long has he been modeling for, does he have any experience with resin casting, and how big are the parts he is replicating? Without making it obvious any more info would help us out more.

But with what you have mentioned, i would go with an alumilite. As its the main resin, and rtv silicone i use. If its his first test trial. This starter set would be nice.
http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail....tegory=Starter Kits&Name=Mini Casting Kit

Same, but a larger set.
http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail....tegory=Starter Kits&Name=Super Casting Kit

And if hes asking for a big setup buy them individually. BTW I've always had good experience with alumlite. And do remember they have a shelf life. Hope this helped at least a bit.

[Plumberboy]

Hi Smileygirl,
I sent you a personal message.