Hirst Art Molds

[Enzed]

Sorry if this has been asked before

I am looking into getting a few dungeon molds but want to see what they look like first. Do any shops sell loose "bundle" packages of some already cast stuff? I want to see how they look before I dive into buying a whole lot of molds. How does this stuff hold up international-travel wise? I am located in New Zealand.

 

[DXM]

I'm actually doing the Egyptian set right now.
http://www.hirstarts.com/etombs/etombs.html
The molds are aprox 5 1/2 inches x 4 inches x 3/4 inch solid light blue RTV (rubber). There are companies online that sells complete set of premade parts but you have to assemble, glue and paint it yourself. I personally haven't seen them but a friend said he saw them.The only thing time comsuming is the casting of part and not get air bubbles. The basic set needed 2 of their molds and have to cast one 14 times and the other 21 times.It took me 5 evenings to cast all the part with alot of miscasts. I just chipped at the defects to make the look like weathered broken stone.
As for shipping, you shouldn't have any problems shipping the molds are solid.
Hope this helps

 

[Hinton]

If you're asking if there's someone that sells the individual blocks, then yes:

http://store.nalsworkshop.com/

However, I'm not sure what all is involved is shipping them to NZ.

I would say to just go ahead and pick up a mold or two. They're not overly expensive and the use you can get out them is fantastic. Even with three of the basic molds that I have (Fieldstone Wall, Gothic Basic Block and Flagstone Floor), I've been able to build all kinds of things.

 

[Enzed]

Yea I might do that. Out of curiosity how dangerous is Ultracal 30 health-wise? I am just undergoing heavy chemotherapy and need to be careful with chemicals etc.

 

[Hinton]

Yea I might do that. Out of curiosity how dangerous is Ultracal 30 health-wise? I am just undergoing heavy chemotherapy and need to be careful with chemicals etc.

Never used it myself and really don't know anything about it, so you might want to check with the company that makes it.

 

[PegaZus]

Yea I might do that. Out of curiosity how dangerous is Ultracal 30 health-wise? I am just undergoing heavy chemotherapy and need to be careful with chemicals etc.

You can find the MDS (Material Data Sheet) here (although you'll need to scroll down to the Ultracal-30 link on that page). Mostly plaster of paris, portland cement, and crystaline silica, all of which aren't good to breathe. Breathing the silica can cause lung disease and cancer, but that is prolonged and repeated exposure. So I'd say wear a good mask and goggles, and should be fine.

If it's that concerning, maybe a different plaster? Is dental plaster the same? Not a caster, so don't know about the plaster.

 

[Enzed]

Meh, I already have cancer so I am not worried about that side of it. Actually this is the second time I have had cancer and I am only 17! Besides, what DOESN'T give you cancer these days

Dental plaster is too expensive to source here unfortunately. I guess if worst comes to worst I can pick up a facemask and mix it all outside so the fumes don't hang around.

 

[gohkm]

Ideally, you should only be casting when using a proper filter mask, plus doing it in a well ventilated area. The dust is fairly unpleasant to breathe in, but there don't appear to be any short-term ill effects. Long-term ... well, it's probably a bit too late for me .

You'll definitely want a nice, big space to do your casting in, though. It's messy as hell, takes up an awful lot of room, but it's an awful lot of fun. Look through the Hirst Arts forums and you'll find many others who have also succumbed to the Hirst Arts addiction, and also read about their many war stories .

Personally, I really love this casting stuff because it's one of the few things that don't aggravate my arthritis.

 

[Enzed]

Yep, will look through the forums

Reason I am getting into it is because I have had a few requests from local clubs to commission some basic dungeon terrain pieces. Seems easy enough to get the hang of, looks quite fun to be honest

Thanks for the responses so far! I would be keen to see your own personal hirst art projects if you have pictures!

 

[freakinacage]

i wouldn't worry to much about the fumes as long as you are fairly well ventilated. the dust though i would be careful about. defo wear a mask and if you are doing any big amounts of sanding, go outside, if only so you dont leave the room with a fine coating of dust and a you-shaped shadow!!

as for the quality, haven't tried (am afraid that i will then spend all my waking hours casting up little blocks!) but have never heard a bad word spoken about them

 

[Hinton]

Reason I am getting into it is because I have had a few requests from local clubs to commission some basic dungeon terrain pieces. Seems easy enough to get the hang of, looks quite fun to be honest

Thanks for the responses so far! I would be keen to see your own personal hirst art projects if you have pictures!

It's great fun and pretty easy to learn. Like anything else, you'll learn a lot by trial and error.

Did this one with HA blocks (fieldstone pieces):

http://www.coolminiornot.com/228489

Although I've done some larger pieces, such as the Wizard's Tower and the Warlock House, don't have any pictures of them up.