casting my own minis?
- Thread starter yack
- Start date
Bengoodall
New member
You will need to make something like a centrifugal mold, which you put the molds on the outer rim of this thing, which spins round and forces the metal into the mold.
a pretty big adventure if your getting into it.
a pretty big adventure if your getting into it.
fortunesfool
New member
Depending on how good they are, I might be interested.
I\'ve looked into casting myself and unless you\'re willing to put forth a relatively solid investment, it is often easier to send it to a mouldmaker. Ask around and you\'ll get some links.
I\'ve looked into casting myself and unless you\'re willing to put forth a relatively solid investment, it is often easier to send it to a mouldmaker. Ask around and you\'ll get some links.
Try resin first
Its not hard at all, it will just take some trial and error to get the results you want. A centrifugal mold is not required. I suggest you go to micromark.com and look at the various casting supplies they sell - the resin is easiest to start with but they sell the stuff for metal molding also. You\'re sure to find something that suits your budget and interest.
Its not hard at all, it will just take some trial and error to get the results you want. A centrifugal mold is not required. I suggest you go to micromark.com and look at the various casting supplies they sell - the resin is easiest to start with but they sell the stuff for metal molding also. You\'re sure to find something that suits your budget and interest.
moonmin82
New member
sorry about that blank reply - i seem to keep doing that!!
ive no experience from doing any of this myself but from what ive read in the past you could easily make some rough resin moulds * of your basic figure shapes in resin (like a \'dolly\') and then sculpt the details over the top.
that way you have a half made figure already. you could make \'green moulds\' for any facial features and textures etc.
* make a box (eg from lego) ie. walls that would fit your figure with an inch or so of xs at each side. half pour your mould mixture in with your lubricated mini lying on the top, half submerged. once dry, add a layer of lube (eg vaseline) and pour more mix so the box is full. when dry, separate the two halves and you have a mould.
i think the next stage is something like you carve a channel to pour your casting mix into.
if you google search youll come up with some good \'how tos\' after a bit of searching
good luck! :beer:
ive no experience from doing any of this myself but from what ive read in the past you could easily make some rough resin moulds * of your basic figure shapes in resin (like a \'dolly\') and then sculpt the details over the top.
that way you have a half made figure already. you could make \'green moulds\' for any facial features and textures etc.
* make a box (eg from lego) ie. walls that would fit your figure with an inch or so of xs at each side. half pour your mould mixture in with your lubricated mini lying on the top, half submerged. once dry, add a layer of lube (eg vaseline) and pour more mix so the box is full. when dry, separate the two halves and you have a mould.
i think the next stage is something like you carve a channel to pour your casting mix into.
if you google search youll come up with some good \'how tos\' after a bit of searching
good luck! :beer:
moonmin82
New member
i guess the reason why i only suggest this for rough mini shapes is that im unsure of the kind of level of detail youd obtain from this method. probably depends on your skill and how much you spend on materials!
if it helps i think these kinds of moulds are made from a two part silicone rubber mix.
if it helps i think these kinds of moulds are made from a two part silicone rubber mix.
farseerlum
New member
Spacemunkie
New member
You can buy hand casting kits here:
Prince August
There are plenty of articles on the web about mould making. just Google away
I cast this up using one of their kits (it\'s sculpted by Palocles...):
My first try and it came out pretty well. The main problems are with extremities at the bottom of the mould (the nose in this case). The molten metal is starting to set by the time it gets down there. I have seen homemade \'spincasters\' made using tins and string, but personally I wouldn\'t want to swing molten metal about!
Give it a go, it\'s good fun (if frustrating at times...)
Prince August
There are plenty of articles on the web about mould making. just Google away
I cast this up using one of their kits (it\'s sculpted by Palocles...):
My first try and it came out pretty well. The main problems are with extremities at the bottom of the mould (the nose in this case). The molten metal is starting to set by the time it gets down there. I have seen homemade \'spincasters\' made using tins and string, but personally I wouldn\'t want to swing molten metal about!
Give it a go, it\'s good fun (if frustrating at times...)
Spacemunkie
New member
The silicon Dwarfman posted a link to is only suitable for casting resins, plaster and the like.
It is absolutely not for using with lead or alloys, so BE CAREFUL what sort you buy!!!
It is absolutely not for using with lead or alloys, so BE CAREFUL what sort you buy!!!
Bengoodall
New member
Space munkie, what was the set up costs for the thing you used to do that one?
Spacemunkie
New member
Just remembered it was Tiranti that I got the starter kit from.
£42 and it includes everything you need and a guide to mould making.
£42 and it includes everything you need and a guide to mould making.
