_GOTOBOTTOM
Figures
Military figures of all shapes and sizes.
casting help required
kefffy
Visit this Community
United Kingdom
Joined: September 21, 2009
KitMaker: 113 posts
Armorama: 96 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 08:23 AM UTC
Looking to cast in metal or resin some spare arms, legs, ammo pouches, water bottles. These are only for myself, UK caster preferred, tried the usual names in the casting game, but no luck so far, Any advice / Thank you in advance
Armored76
Visit this Community
Bayern, Germany
Joined: September 30, 2013
KitMaker: 1,615 posts
Armorama: 1,500 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 11:25 AM UTC
If this is just for limited run you might also consider 3D printing. The price might be lower compared to resin casting which would also require a mold to be done.
jrutman
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 07:21 PM UTC
Why not get a casting kit and give it a go yourself? Once you strip the mystery away,as with all things,it turns out it is not difficult at all!
This way you have the freedom to cast what you need and when you need it.
J
callmehobbes
Visit this Community
England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: April 17, 2005
KitMaker: 751 posts
Armorama: 740 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 07:51 PM UTC
This is something I've only just started playing around at. I got a set from Amazon for about £30. It's a bit hit and miss to be honest but practice makes perfect.
Biggles2
Visit this Community
Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 08:10 PM UTC

Quoted Text

If this is just for limited run you might also consider 3D printing. The price might be lower compared to resin casting which would also require a mold to be done.


Don't 3D printing companies, like Shapeways, require CAD files to produce the pieces? Plus, a few custom parts for a single customer is not cheap!
easyco69
Visit this Community
Ontario, Canada
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 2,275 posts
Armorama: 2,233 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 08:47 PM UTC
For those little parts it would be easier to learn it & do it yourself. Its not that hard. There are many DIY products on the market as well as DIY video's on youtube. Just duplicate existing pieces..as long as they are for your personal use.
Either that or sculpt your own out of clay then duplicate.
Biggles2
Visit this Community
Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Saturday, October 24, 2015 - 09:36 PM UTC
The ammo pouches are easy as long as they can have a flat, undetailed back. Just make an open top mold from RTV or silicon. You can even make temporary (single-use) molds for resin casting from plasticene. The mold will be distorted beyond use when removing the casting, but can be rolled up and used again. You just press your master into a blob of plasticene for the mold. Just don't expect commercial quality casting...expect air bubbles...batteries not included!
kefffy
Visit this Community
United Kingdom
Joined: September 21, 2009
KitMaker: 113 posts
Armorama: 96 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 25, 2015 - 12:48 AM UTC
Dear all, I have tried to mould these myself but due to the shapes of the legs and pouches, they need to be pressure casted not gravity fed
callmehobbes
Visit this Community
England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: April 17, 2005
KitMaker: 751 posts
Armorama: 740 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 25, 2015 - 12:38 PM UTC
I think you can still do this with an airtight box and a vacuum cleaner. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable can explain how it's done.
jrutman
Visit this Community
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Sunday, October 25, 2015 - 06:42 PM UTC
Have you tried a split mold? I have cast tens of thousands of parts over the space of almost two decades and have never used a pressure pot.
J
 _GOTOTOP