Cheap throw away mold material?

[takevin]

Need to reproduce one missing wall and roof piece from a g scale garden train station and dont want to use my good stuff for a one time deal. Any suggestions for something cheapie to use for molding? The roof has shingles and the wall is brick for details. I was going to just slush cast to copy it, otherwise Ill just do a thin layer of rubber mold. :thumbsup

 

[Contec]

Plaster of paris?

 

[weaselflinger]

Depending on the the size and level of detail you can sometimes press a thick slab of clay or plasticene onto the item, carefully peel it off and use that as your mold.

Alginate is flexible and reusable as a mold material.

 

[Dexvader]

I have cast part in Bondo or hot glue. With the Bondo, remove the part while the cast is still warm and flexible.

 

[JtotheP]

Silicone caulk mixed with soapy water is extremely cheap so you can make it thick.
http://www.therpf.com/showthread.php?t=64253&highlight=silicone+mold

 

[exoray]

If you have the 'good' stuff, mix up a very small amount and brush on a layer or two over the part, once covered pour a plaster backer over it...

The amount of 'good' stuff you use will be minimal, just a skim coat to capture detail and add built in release properties... Cost wise the amount of 'good' stuff you use will probably be nickels and dimes over what it would cost with a cheap hit or miss method...

 

[Eaglewood]

Need to reproduce one missing wall and roof piece from a g scale garden train station and dont want to use my good stuff for a one time deal. Any suggestions for something cheapie to use for molding? The roof has shingles and the wall is brick for details. I was going to just slush cast to copy it, otherwise Ill just do a thin layer of rubber mold. :thumbsup

alginate

 

[Trap Joe]

gelatine

 

[stapleton13]

Liquid latex also works. What will you be casting in?

 

[Clutch]

The hobby stores sell a two-part mold builder. The stuff feels like silly putty when you knead it together. Press your item into it and after a short while, you have a rubber mold suitable for casting resin or plaster in.

 

[Architect]

actually for a really good and cheap mold that is flexible you can use GE silicone II and xylene (xylol) I used some from ace hardware and it worked like a charm to make a dip-able consistency that hardened up just fine and gave a long workable life. though the long life might be annoying because it can if covered over decently (see a piece of sheet metal left laying over a tin can) take like a month for it to dry. if left exposed though it can take as much as a week. problem is it would not be a one time use level mold just cheap like one. I am certain you could cast just about anything in it over and over for a few dozen copies. but the tubes of silicone are like 2 to 5 bucks and the xylene was like 5 bucks for the smallest can sold at ACE hardware

 

[Knightjar]

Vinamold is good. Not throw-away, but you can melt it down and reuse it.