Am new and need some help :)

[Leea123]

Hi all I wanted to start making props myself and just wanted some advice on some silicon and resin.

RESIN: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polycraft-E..._SR160,160_&refRID=020CHJCB2S93TRZBV9F9Thanks

Silicon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Polycraft-GP-3481F-Silicone-Making-Rubber/dp/B00261ZKLK/ref=pd_sim_60_4/280-0586938-7786130?ie=UTF8&dpID=51YYS4Ujh-L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=166121VT2PW0WPH4P94M

Will these be ok to make props for star trek? am starting small nothing to big

Thanks Lee

 

[ultraman]

look into silicone called "smooth-on oomoo 30" it will be way easier for you to use.



you mix 2 parts together equally instead of the kind you're looking at where you have to use a scale.

welcome to the site!

 

[Leea123]

I live in the UK and its very hard to get smooth-on products here. that's why I wondered if from the links above they would be a good alternative?

 

[ultraman]

you should be fine....most all resins are ok to mold in silicone.
just make sure the thing you are making the mold of doesn't have sulfur in it....silicone won't cure right if it's used on something with sulfur in it!

 

[cavx]

Leea123 Welcome to the wonderful world of molding and casting.

Buy yourself a set of gram scales with a 1/10th of a gram reading. You won't regret that purchase and will find it comes in handy for everything you do.

As mentioned, you need to find either a clay or a Plasticine that is non sulfur based so it does not prevent the silicone curing. Be wary of superglues as well. I have found that the glues I use will inhibit the curing of the silicone (only on the surface at the point of contact) leaving a slimy part of the mold. Dish soap and water can be used to clean this up, but it better to not have this issue in the first place.

And buy disposable gloves. I managed to get some of the 2 part "plastic" resin on my fingernail and it now that it has set, it ain't coming off.

 

[Leea123]

After another search I managed to find smooth on in the UK http://www.benam.co.uk/?s=smooth+on&submit=Search

 

[NormanF]

You don't have to use Smooth-On, but a lot of people on here and on YouTube do so that can make it easier to get information. I think it may be more important if you can find a local supplier of molding and casting supplies that has knowledgeable people on staff who can answer any technical questions you may have. It would also help if you could find someone else mold and casting in your area to find out what they use, but I do not know how you would do that.

I took a quick look at the Bentley Advanced Materials linked above and that looked exactly like the local Smooth-On distributor I use here in Florida called Reynolds Advanced Materials, including seminars on how to use some of the products they sell. As I said, I'm in Florida, I do not work for them, and I have no idea if they are any good or not, but you may want to check them out of they are not too far away.

 

[TuskenRaider]

Welcome to the RPF. I'm also from the UK and have struggled with the same problem, Smooth-On seems to be the go-to product on here but it's difficult to find and really expensive in the UK. I've used liquid latex for smaller moulds but it's not durable. It works OK for one cast but no more (depending on the level of fine detail required, anyway). For resin I have used SG2000 (comes in various brands like Polycraft, Mouldcradt etc), just search on e-bay you'll find loads. It's pretty cheap and works well - sets very quickly and doesn't have a strong smell. I've also used Jesmonite AC300 on Pepakura which seems to work pretty well. Again, very cheap, no harmful vapours or smell. I second cavx tip on buying some scales, they're really useful for weighing up resins, plaster etc. and you should be able to pick them up pretty cheap from somewhere like Argos.

Just a little tip for you - when making a post like this it would be really helpful to put some specific details in the title e.g. need info on resin/silicone products or casting or something. That way you are more likely to get members with the right knowledge reading your post.
Good Luck
Rob

 

[renaissance_man]

Hi
I'm in the UK and use TOMPS. Com Addition cure Viscolo 22 RTV rubber for molds and their slower cure Fast Cast POLYURETHANE resins for all of my props, including many Star Trek props!
A digital scales is a big help and nip down the £ shop and pick up a packet of disposable plastic pint cups and a pack of disposable picnic knives to mix the resin in and with respectively.

Out of interest which Star Trek props are you looking to make?

Do you have photos of your masters that you are trying to make molds of and then cast?

Good luck.