resin molds

[mbwoods]

hi im trying to model in 1/76 scale, and i wish to try to use resin to cast small parts, could i use milliput to make a mold and pour the resin in, or would i have to use summat else? i dont wish to spend a fortune on buying supplies when i want to do 1 or 2 pieces at a time

plus seen this resin kit on ebay, is it worth buying?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOULDCRAFT...item3a7673acee

also saw this one on ebay:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polyuretha...item414d224a09
wonder if this is worth buying as its cheaper and only need to do a couple of small items

cheers and thanks for any help

[roymattblack]

I made many parts for my 'bucket-case' Tullius (Airfix 1/24) E-Type coupe by casting pieces from the Sangyo High detail kit to replace countless missing bits from the Airfix kit. I even had to make the Dunlop style wheels. (I'm still looking for some wheel nuts, and rear light clusters)
I used good old plasticine to make the moulds, and ordinary car resin.
Worked a treat......
In the pics you can see, I made the wheels, engine cam covers, airbox and carb assembly, bodged a dash and steering wheel from an old Burago toy, made the front light internal 'tubes' and printed all my own decals.
Yes, I know Tullius never raced an E-Type coupe, but I liked the colour scheme.

Roy.

[nugundam93]

milliput is okay, but what i use is ooyumaru, like this: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10179829

it's a reusable silicon mold in different colors that you can reshape by dunking it in boiling water until it softens. i bought mine from a local store that sells japanese goods (funny enough, they had this stocked along with pencil erasers - they must've thought this was also a pencil eraser).

[mbwoods]

anymore help guys? i'll try using plasticine, and is automotive resin cheap to buy?

[Helico]

I use Alumilite high strength 3 for mold: http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail....20Strength%203

It has low viscosity, is easy to pour, and captures very fine detail. The high tear strength makes one-piece mold possible.

For resin, I use Alumilite Amazing cast: http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail....asting%20Resin

Hope this helps.

[mbwoods]

sorry mate its american, im in the UK

[freakray]

Get a hold of flyonthewall if you can, he knows a lot about casting resin and making molds. Taught me most of what I know (the rest I learned by trial, error, stupidity and practice).

Since flyonthewall is in the UK, I am sure he can help you source supplies, etc too.

[Helico]

Originally Posted by mbwoods

sorry mate its american, im in the UK

These are available on Amazon and eBay. Alumilite has some useful tutorials on its website.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130629334718...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alumilite-Su...item1c2f08e353

[freakray]

Originally Posted by Helico

These are available on Amazon and eBay. Alumilite has some useful tutorials on its website.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/130629334718...84.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alumilite-Su...item1c2f08e353

The problem is shipping, mbwoods is in the UK and shipping something such as a 2-part resin or mold fluid to the UK requires special import/export licencing amongst other things. The ideal thing to do is to find a UK supplier which he can buy from.

[mbwoods]

even thou they cost a fortune! those 2 items on ebay only costs £3-4 each plus postage
the one with double sringe costs les than £4 inc postage, while the other one in 60g bottles costs £7 inc postage but u get more in it, just that i'd like your reccomendations on them.

anyway what about moulds? someone mentioned plasticine to make moulds, i mentioned using milliput, but i think once ive made a mould, then it'll harden and i may have trouble releasing the castings from it.
ive done what i needed to do, but in future if i need to make some more, i should have ideas on what to get and use, and thanks for any help here guys.

[JeremyJon]

Originally Posted by mbwoods

even thou they cost a fortune! those 2 items on ebay only costs £3-4 each plus postage
the one with double sringe costs les than £4 inc postage, while the other one in 60g bottles costs £7 inc postage but u get more in it, just that i'd like your reccomendations on them.

anyway what about moulds? someone mentioned plasticine to make moulds, i mentioned using milliput, but i think once ive made a mould, then it'll harden and i may have trouble releasing the castings from it.
ive done what i needed to do, but in future if i need to make some more, i should have ideas on what to get and use, and thanks for any help here guys.

for product, your local crafts store might be the place to start, they carry alumilite commonly for other crafts, and allows you to get a kit package to trial
my first kits were:
alumilite mini cast set, and the super plastic casting set, for larger pieces ...both were excellent for learning by ...be specifically careful with your amounts to mix, and have everything ready at hand to start

for moulds, the key is to not have any under hung areas, then you are forced to tear at the molds to release ....on occasion, I have learned a precisely cut line at that location, allows the mold to open for the under hung portion, but still be usable ...admittedly, my first molds were designed with in mind that one 'face' of the part would be the unfinished top area, and positioned accordingly (like the bottom side of a valve cover) then sanded/trimmed after to complete
don't expect your parts to emerge ready to go IMO, there is always some finishing required
later on you'll then be confident to make a 2 piece mold, for more full form parts
lastly, use some solid containers to pour your mould into ...I keep old items, solid plastic trays, even small containers from the knickknack dollar store ....then when I de-mold a part, I can take the entire mold out of the tray, and allow it to flex (without tearing) to remove, and insert back into the tray, so it is held firmly in place for the next casting ...give your mold more thickness on all sides for a more stable result, mine are at least 1" thickness for support

good luck!