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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Magnavis" data-source="post: 5249193" data-attributes="member: 171664">Some updates. I've been mainly moving towards the finish line, getting things either ready for paint, or prepped for their final pre-paint sand. I've also been doing some of the others less exciting things, such as printing and sanding a box for the Diadem (loosely based on the one it's found in, in the Room of Requirements). But filed under 'More Exciting' I've been making some moulds! So the things that need casting are the 'crystal' pieces for the front and back of the locket, aswell as the snitch, and also them gems for the sword. The crystal pieces were fairly straight forwards two part moulds. [ATTACH=full]1510929[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1510930[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1510931[/ATTACH]The gems were also fairly straight forward. I just used some double sided sticky tape, and stuck them flat side down, and poured silicone over the top. The Snitch was something I wasn't entirely sure how best to mould. So I went to the YouTubes, and found that for sphereical objects, a simple one piece mould is fairly standard. It was pretty easy. Stuck to some board with half a plastic cup, and then cover in resin. Worked a treat! [ATTACH=full]1510934[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1510935[/ATTACH]Above is my first pull from the mould! Initially, I was quite happy. However, some issues quickly became apparent. The first was how I cut the mould open. I kind just cut it willy nilly, and didn't really consider where my seam(s) would be. The other issues was that my master snitch wasn't as clean as I thought it was. I'd spent time sanding it, and filling it, and seemingly making it smooth, but once moulded and cast, the imperfections, including print lines (Yes, even in resin prints!!) were just too present. [ATTACH=full]1510936[/ATTACH]So, after considering it, I decided to print a new master (It would take longer to fix the old one than do a new one) and then very meticulously sand it, in the hope of a much cleaner cast from the new mould. [ATTACH=full]1510937[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1510938[/ATTACH]it took me a few of hours of sanding, initially at 120 grit, and then all the way up to 3000. The inscription didn't come out as crisp on this one though, so I was still a little apprehensive. Thankfully, it proved to be the right choice, as the new mould has a single cut at the back, and is as clean as I initially hoped for![ATTACH=full]1510939[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1510940[/ATTACH]So the plan is to cold cast the Snitch in brass, thought I do have some gold coming too, so going to try that also. I'll then polish them to a nice shine with a polishing wheel. I have done some tests on the brass, which are encouraging! Finally, I have done a test cast for the crystal pieces. Almost nailed it first time, but just under filled. I've got take two in the pressure pot currently, so we'll find out tomorrow if that one's worked. I have tinted these with some alcohol ink, as the actual prop is tinted. I think I've got the color pretty spot on.[ATTACH=full]1510942[/ATTACH][ATTACH=full]1510943[/ATTACH]Also a few other bits I've been working on in the background, but this post is long enough, so...More soon! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></blockquote>

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