So lets say I have a lead or plastic mini of something I would like to cast myself, using some home kit. I had a friend do it with a plastic mini ages ago, but I cant remember how he did it, nor the material his cast was (although it was clear). Anyone try this? If so, what would you use? I have gotten some what I can only describe as Forumware in some epic lots, and they are nice and crisp metal molds. But resin would be cool too.

Is it worth the effort or a pain in the ass?

Hi!

It kind of depends.

I used to do metal casting a long time ago, but what was available cannot compare to what is available now. Also, it depends on what extra equipment you are willing to invest in. Some if it can be quite expensive. You can do it without such things but the quality is no where near (IMO) that which can be achieved with the extra equipment.

Then there is the learning curve and the time investment. It's a lot harder to do this effectively than you may think and at least until you gain some no how it can be daunting or even disappointing.

Ultimately, for me personally, it was easier to "outsource" this kind of thing rather than do it myself. However, that said if you went "all in" and really learned how to do this, ultimately you could save lots of money doing it yourself.

Also, resin casting and metal casting are not the same. They look similar from the outside looking in, but I have learned from the truly skilled that there are some key differences. So you may want to tackle one at a time, not both simultaneously.

Finally, I leave you with this thought.

We live in the digital age. What can be accomplished with 3d designs and 3d printing in nothing short of marvelous. Therefore if I were to choose to invest my time in such things currently, I would choose to learn 3d design and produce a master that can be used for mass production were others with such skill could be brought in.

Primarch

_________________
Primarch


The Primarchload
Magnetized Titans Tutorial
Net Epic Gold
Heresy Rules

Well, I actually bought something off of shapeways once. Someone posted a Gnerl fighter from Macross that was around 1/200 scale and I bought 2 in the best material they had. I got two broken models, and then I complained, they said it was the molds fault and removed the plan for it from their site. WTF.

The material the ship is made out of is ok. Had to wash it to get the oily stuff off it, but I just dont have the skill, time, or patience to mess with 3D. I figured with making molds, I would be pressing two halfs together, and then eventually filling in some kind of liquid. I know I must sound so ignorant on the matter.

Hi!

At a basic level, it is pressing to halves together and pouring some liquid into it and waiting for it to gel. But if you leave at that level, you not going to get something you particularly like. At least not in proportion to the effort. You're pretty much heading to my final conclusion of "not worth the time".

As for 3d printing, people like Onslaught, Exodus, etc using the 3d made designs and render a master from 3d printing, but what material, resolution and a lot of other stuff that I fully don't understand goes into making a good master. Just look at their end results, it's great stuff if done correctly.

But that is the rub, to do it at that level, it requires, skill, knowledge as well as financial investment to get things at that level.

Since I personally was not satisfied with what I could achieve at my skill level, I walked away from it and rely on others expertise to get what I want. It may not be cheap doing it that way (it isn't), but given the realities of the whole thing I'd rather spend time and effort on a predictable result and quality than my own meager hits and misses.

In a nutshell, if it were that easy to do it properly, then everyone would be doing it.

Primarch

_________________
Primarch


The Primarchload
Magnetized Titans Tutorial
Net Epic Gold
Heresy Rules

If you want quality you're looking at spending some bucks. A vacuum pump (150ish if you're lucky) and vacuum desicator (40ish) to de-air the rubber, and a compressor (100ish) and a paint pressure pot (60ish) to cure the rubber and cast in resin. That will get you FW quality stuff.

_________________
Dave

Blog

NetEA Tournament Pack Website

Squats 2019-10-17

Hi!

Is the vacuum the same as a vacuum degasser? Those things depending on size are very expensive.

Primarch

_________________
Primarch


The Primarchload
Magnetized Titans Tutorial
Net Epic Gold
Heresy Rules

Like so many things in life if you really want to do it i think you'll do it. Some people will be better at it than others, to reach a production level standard you're going to need kit but otherwise, try it, fork out the money on silicon and metal and see if it works!! For example, moredakka seems to have the knack, every time he tries something it seems to work out - equally apoc seems to be able to knock out really cool scratchbuilds. Give it a go if you've got time - I wish I did!

Where are you from ktg

USA

You can get decent results using nothing but gravity and casting metal, it's all about clever mouldmaking.... you need to vent your moulds properly to encourage flow (but not have metal leak all over the place!) Then it's a dark art of using just the right amount french chalk or graphite powder to lubricate the mould (often using trial and error) then making sure the metal is at the right temperature, and bashing away on the filled mould to try to remove bubbles and encourage flow

I've done resin casting too and the same applies, with smart mouldmaking and decent technique you can get very good results without the pressure gear

_________________
Just some guy

My hobby/painting threads

Army Forge List Co-ordinator

Not with the internet. Can get an off-brand one new on ebay for under £50, no problems. For Mould making your vacuum chamber is going to be smallish anyway (larger chamber/desiccator will cost more, so probably gonna be under 1ft^3) so you don't need to shift many cubic feet per minute of air.
… ended up spending more on a decent size desiccator than on a pump

Note that for metal you only need a way to degas rubber (chamber+pump) (but you can do without, look into thinning agents for the silicone), you don't need a pressure pot etc. But, you will need a small metal ladle/crucible and a hot plat you don't mind splashing metal on (£20?).


Just to wave a flag at the unrelenting march of CAD being heralded here: some people like mucking about with the hands with physical/practical stuff, over digital.

_________________
AFK with real life, still checking PMs

There must be a gazillion thousand links about this on the interweb, besides the excellent level of expertise here (of which i have precious little)

this is something I stumbled across years back when I looked into things

http://www.hirstarts.com/moldmake/moldmaking.html

There are lots and lots of better sources I am sure. I too think scrathbuilding kitbashing and moldmaking is great fun. 3D is nice too, but printing is very expensive for what you get. I cannot really unsee the tiny artifacts even good 3D printers leave on minis, so cast away!

_________________
Nitpicks Knapsack (Scratchbuilding and 3D designing and printing and painting)