How to do you guys make all these resin casts?

I'm new to this site and I usually do simpler things like making a Tf2 costume, (currently working on a scout costume) [Also if anyone could help me in finding a Scatter Gun, Force-A-Nature or Baby Face's Blaster that would be splendid]
But how do you guys make all these resin casts?
Or how do you mold these things to such beautiful detail?
I would love to hear all your tips, and it would be greatly appreciated. I do understand this kind of thing takes skill, but it's something I'd love to learn.

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Nobby said:

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Use the SEARCH button

I don't think you realize what you're asking. It's like going to a motorcycle forum and asking, "Hey, guys, would someone post up how to build a motorcycle?"
The information is here but you certainly won't get it in one post. You will need to read, search and participate while asking very specific questions. It may even take you a few years, lots of practice and hands on learning.
Google is also your friend.
I would start by going to the Smooth-on site and watch some of their tecniques.

There are also a few good Youtube videos out there that show the full process. Those alone can save tons of searching and reading time.

Check out the RPF youtube channel and watch Matt's Arkham Grapple gun series. There are a lot of usefull tips in how to cast, mold and clean resin parts:

1 - Batman Arkham City / Arkham Asylum Grapple Gun Prop Build - YouTube

I've got some tutorials on zprops.net

You can also go the local hobby shop and get a little casting kit. It's good for learning how to cast small things.

Smooth-on has ALOT of artist submitted tutorial videos and pictures on how they use casting materials and products to produce copies of their own sculpts. So You can really learn alot from some of their videos on that site as well as suggestions posted previously in this thread. Go have a looksee and evolve, as we have all evolved here.

Thanks you guys, as I said I'm completely new to this so I didn't realize what I should've really asked or done.
But thank you guys.

As a long time member of BARF (Bay Area Riders Forum, one of the largest moto forums on the net), I can say I've never seen anyone post that question lol. But youtube and the search function are your friends. If you have a techshop near you, maybe sign up for some classes, they do everything from mold making, to welding, and even metal spinning.

Funky Jedi said:

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I don't think you realize what you're asking. It's like going to a motorcycle forum and asking, "Hey, guys, would someone post up how to build a motorcycle?"
The information is here but you certainly won't get it in one post. You will need to read, search and participate while asking very specific questions. It may even take you a few years, lots of practice and hands on learning.
Google is also your friend.
I would start by going to the Smooth-on site and watch some of their tecniques.

What about the brick in the yard videos? Again you will find those on you tube.

Thanks again though you guys, I know it's probably tough dealing with a noob -.-

I want to learn the how to as well. We don't seem to have the same range of products in Australia and I am reluctant to spend $$$ experimenting as it ends in wasting product just to learn. Did that recently on the clear sole project

cavx said:

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I want to learn the how to as well. We don't seem to have the same range of products in Australia and I am reluctant to spend $$$ experimenting as it ends in wasting product just to learn. Did that recently on the clear sole project

Aw man that stinks

Here's a nice little reference book: Amazon.com: The Prop Builder's Molding & Casting Handbook (9781558701281): Thurston James: Books

You can also go to Smooth On's site. They include a lot of basic information and offer a lot of How-to videos.

Smooth-On, Inc. - Mold Making & Casting Materials Rubber, Plastic, Lifecasting, and More

As mentioned before, look at Youtube for How to videos on molding and casting.

So pretty much, you've got the answer that you'll need to do some homework before you'll know what you're doing.

Not rocket science, but there is an art to it, and I'm amazed at how varying the quality has been in the many castings I've purchased over the years.

Here's another great book on making molds and casting: Amazon.com: Special Makeup Effects for Stage and Screen: Making and Applying Prosthetics (9780240809960): Todd Debreceni: Books

Slave1 said:

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Not rocket science, but there is an art to it

Maybe not rocket science, but a science non the less when you factor in the need to know how ambient temp and humidity affect the end result.

Slave1 said:

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Here's a nice little reference book: Amazon.com: The Prop Builder's Molding & Casting Handbook (9781558701281): Thurston James: Books

You can also go to Smooth On's site. They include a lot of basic information and offer a lot of How-to videos.

Smooth-On, Inc. - Mold Making & Casting Materials Rubber, Plastic, Lifecasting, and More

As mentioned before, look at Youtube for How to videos on molding and casting.

So pretty much, you've got the answer that you'll need to do some homework before you'll know what you're doing.

Not rocket science, but there is an art to it, and I'm amazed at how varying the quality has been in the many castings I've purchased over the years.

Oh man, thanks a ton!

Like many here, we are self taught.

Probably from being abused as children, we locked ourselves in our rooms to hide from whoever. Models, books and music our sanctuary.

The glue sniffing is our escape.
We needed an excuse to buy more glue, so we started buying models.

Years later, glue has been replaced by god knows what, vodka, weed, small red beatles, but we still enjoy building the kits.

Time passes, we get sick of the mediocre kits that are available, or we have built everything by now. Boredom returns.

So we start scratch building. Next thing you know, your buddy wants a copy of a part you just made, being old lazy and now fat. You decide it would be easier to make a copy, vice doing another one.

So you buy some silicone. And resin. You watch HOW TO VIDEOS. You read books. You ask questions, you try and learn, and relearn.

Several years and 1000s of dollars later, you have learned enough to be relatively dangerous. Not quite HOLLYWOOD FX shop material, but skillful none the less.

Soon, you are making copies of everything. You can't stop. Anything you build, you must make copies for all your friends, or your friends friends,

Then comes the internet, then you start selling stuff. You begin chatting in model forums
under some sort of clever nickname, with a cool logo next to it.

Your had swells with self importance. You actually think people like you, or othersie hold you in some sort of high regard.

Soon, you spend hours in your garage, ignoring all things in life more important.
Sacrificing time with your family, (GOOD GOD when did I have kids?)

Then comes the PROP collecting, real stuff, from movies you love. Good thing you make a 6 figure income as these things are expensive! I know MOLD em and sell copies to offset the costs!! So now you have more stuff to sell, and more orders to fill!!

Then one day you notice a rash that wont go away, or your lungs hurt. So you go to the doctor, and get really ****ty news.

Suddenly, your WHOLE life changes, and you redefine what's important.

So you start selling everything and give free advice to anyone who asks.

Making sure to remind them, always wear protective clothing and work in a well ventilated area.

Eventually, you lose your mind, and end up here.


It's pretty much like that.

Life is short. Put the model down and go throw a frisbee with your kid.

BrundelFly said:

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Like many here, we are self taught.

Probably from being abused as children, we locked ourselves in our rooms to hide from whoever. Models, books and music our sanctuary.

The glue sniffing is our escape.
We needed an excuse to buy more glue, so we started buying models.

Years later, glue has been replaced by god knows what, vodka, weed, small red beatles, but we still enjoy building the kits.

Time passes, we get sick of the mediocre kits that are available, or we have built everything by now. Boredom returns.

So we start scratch building. Next thing you know, your buddy wants a copy of a part you just made, being old lazy and now fat. You decide it would be easier to make a copy, vice doing another one.

So you buy some silicone. And resin. You watch HOW TO VIDEOS. You read books. You ask questions, you try and learn, and relearn.

Several years and 1000s of dollars later, you have learned enough to be relatively dangerous. Not quite HOLLYWOOD FX shop material, but skillful none the less.

Soon, you are making copies of everything. You can't stop. Anything you build, you must make copies for all your friends, or your friends friends,

Then comes the internet, then you start selling stuff. You begin chatting in model forums
under some sort of clever nickname, with a cool logo next to it.

Your had swells with self importance. You actually think people like you, or othersie hold you in some sort of high regard.

Soon, you spend hours in your garage, ignoring all things in life more important.
Sacrificing time with your family, (GOOD GOD when did I have kids?)

Then comes the PROP collecting, real stuff, from movies you love. Good thing you make a 6 figure income as these things are expensive! I know MOLD em and sell copies to offset the costs!! So now you have more stuff to sell, and more orders to fill!!

Then one day you notice a rash that wont go away, or your lungs hurt. So you go to the doctor, and get really ****ty news.

Suddenly, your WHOLE life changes, and you redefine what's important.

So you start selling everything and give free advice to anyone who asks.

Making sure to remind them, always wear protective clothing and work in a well ventilated area.

Eventually, you lose your mind, and end up here.


It's pretty much like that.

Life is short. Put the model down and go throw a frisbee with your kid.

yes sir.

Good reminder.