How good are Alumilite products?

dropshipbob

dropshipbob

Master Member
I went to the local Hobby Lobby today and strolled down the model section. To my great surprise I spotted several products from this line including a molding/casting kit. I know this stuff isn't enough to do really big projects, but I would like to cast up several small parts to get my feet wet.

So is this stuff worth the money?
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dropshipbob @ Dec 20 2006, 09:04 PM) [snapback]1381739[/snapback]</div>
I went to the local Hobby Lobby today and strolled down the model section. To my great surprise I spotted several products from this line including a molding/casting kit. I know this stuff isn't enough to do really big projects, but I would like to cast up several small parts to get my feet wet.

So is this stuff worth the money?
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This stuff is better than normal resin as it takes knocks better. I have used this to make dummy bolts in replica sten guns with working actions and they take the punishment well. You can add powdered metal to the resin and if you polish it after it gives a good metal effect. It is easy to mix as it is one to one and it sets really quickly and takes good detail. It's only down side is the cost but for small stuff I really rate it.
 
Yep, it's as good as any, It's been a mainstay in the industry for a long time.

It's a bit pricey for the quart kit at the hobby shop...(considering I buy 10 gallon kits at a time) but it's not bad considering you can get it and run home and get to casting...I say do it, you'll be glad you did...

Don't go for the silicone kit though...those are extraordinarily over priced...(again considering I buy 5 gallons at a time..;) )

Maybe one day I'll part out a bucket of silicone for all the would-be casters out there.

M
 
My resin of choice. I've always had good product support from the company, too.
I've had an account with them for about 6 years.

- Rylo

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Matsuo @ Dec 20 2006, 06:10 PM) [snapback]1381828[/snapback]</div>
Yep, it's as good as any, It's been a mainstay in the industry for a long time.

It's a bit pricey for the quart kit at the hobby shop...(considering I buy 10 gallon kits at a time) but it's not bad considering you can get it and run home and get to casting...I say do it, you'll be glad you did...

Don't go for the silicone kit though...those are extraordinarily over priced...(again considering I buy 5 gallons at a time..;) )

Maybe one day I'll part out a bucket of silicone for all the would-be casters out there.

M
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Sent you a PM bro.

- Ry
 
Love their black resin & it does hold up well to impact and machines/thread taps very well. I've cast a few punisher style 1911's & SW e11's and only had a problem with breaking the cast sterling endcaps due to how thin they are. I've only had leaching problems on bottles that have been opened and sitting unused a very long time.

But I'll never buy silicone mold material direct from them again. They've sent me short dated (ie less than 15 days left) or out of date base Dow Corning HS2 mold material (not the catalyst) twice now and I've had trouble with the molds curing. The last batch I ordered in May was just a wasted $150 that I ended up pitching, and I did call Alumilite on the dates/curing issues and they said all of it in the warehouse has the same expiration, if the silicone isn't dried out its fine to use & no returns/credit on open/used materials. I get my silicone from Smooth-on now or in a pinch for small stuff I may get the Alumilite Quickset RTV from Hobby Lobby & so far I've had no problems.

-Deece
 
I know our Hobby Lobby has a 40% off coupon in the paper almost every week, may help with the cost issue.
 
Thanks for the information everyone, I may just pick up the kit.
yt, thanks for reminding me about the coupon, I saw that in the paper on Sunday and completely forgot.
 
For those who have bought resin and silicone kits or just the main components. Which company would sell you in big quantities, but for a lesser good deal price? And still have a good quality product made from it.
 
All of them as far as I know, it's standard procedure in those kinds of sales...IE buying in quantity is almost always cheaper.

I can't comment on prices yet, I'll look up some comparisons.

Given the finite shelf life of the resin you have to ask yourself if you are going to use it all before it starts to go bad, there are companies that will supply 55 gallon drums at an incredible discount when compared to buying 55 one gallon kits.( Noting also given the two-part nature of resin you'd be getting 110 gallons all together..;) )...man, that's a lot of resin...But I've had pieces that take over a gallon each, so using it all up for me is no problem.

If I ever get my act together I would love to be able to buy materials in quantity (resin and silicone) Part it out and pass it on to people here at a reasonable rate...I shouldn't expect to get rich off it, so I hope someone beats me to the idea...LOL


Matt
 
The Hobby Lobby resin is fine, but IMHO smells worse when curing than Smooth-on or Pour-a-Kast. Something to consider, mix the stuff up outdoors or in a well ventalated room.

Seems hearty when curred, expensive but most hobby shops make their money on the over priced stuff like this. the 40% off coupon helps. Small testing quantities for the casual resin project its great. For larger projects, go with Smooth-on or Pour-a-Kast.
 
Matt, thanks for the internet coupon hookup, your flying monkies are working overtime even during the holidays, bless their little dark furry hearts.


Jimbo, that's exactly my thought. I've got a few small items that would be good to test this stuff out on...get some experience. My father in law has a paint booth with forced air ventilation so fumes will be no problem. :)
 
Now this surprises me. I just read a discussion a couple weeks ago about Alumilite where it was mentioned that is was a "cheap" resin and highly susceptible to air bubble problems and problems with oily residue. Maybe I'm misreading, or getting bad info? I personally have never used it, so I'd like to get my facts straight.

/B
 
That goes with any resin, Alumilite is especially susceptible to problems if not shaken thoroughly before mixing it seems, (in my experience). Shake the components before pouring out the A & B cups and once you combine the two stir them for a good 20 seconds or more. I find that running a timer while mixing components helps in getting consistent results.

M
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Matsuo @ Dec 22 2006, 11:42 AM) [snapback]1382916[/snapback]</div>
That goes with any resin, Alumilite is especially susceptible to problems if not shaken thoroughly before mixing it seems, (in my experience). Shake the components before pouring out the A & B cups and once you combine the two stir them for a good 20 seconds or more. I find that running a timer while mixing components helps in getting consistent results.

M
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And their black resin is even more susceptible than their regular. if you don't mix throughly the black resin will weep icky black stuff for a decade or more. I like the black resin for many projects especially stunt versions of dark colored weapons as dings and scratches from use do not show like they do with lighter color resins.
 
Just remember, Hobby Lobby sells both Allumilite's clear (cures white) and dark (cures tan) resins. They keep them in different areas of the store. The clear tends to bubble more in my experience and is less forgiving to a slightly off mix ratio. The dark is my favorite resin for little projects, and it works quite well. And with those 40% coupons (which by the way run every 3rd week on their website, every 4th in the paper, except now around the holidays when it's every week in the paper) really make it a worthwhile price for what you get.
 
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