Vagabond resin or smoothcast?

[Darth Infamous]

Hi,
Getting ready to do some pours. Can I get some input on which is better? I am going to cast a creature in parts. Wing, tail, body etc. I used smooth on 30 silicone to create the molds. Any opinions or preferences? Thanks

Carl

 

[TheHeroOfCanton]

Well, I haven't used either of those products but for that size you'd probably be best off with whichever has the longer pot life so you can distress the moulds and get the bubbles out (judging by the bubbles in the moulds I'm guessing you don't have vacuum gear, not a problem .) And also generally speaking you'd want whichever was less exothermic, as the parts look large enough to generate enough heat to produce a nice cure by themselves. The more exothermic the resin's reaction, the shorter the pot life - at least thats the general rule. So you want the opposite .

THoC.

 

[TK648]

I would stick Smooth-On plastic

and I have had great success with both 300 & 310 series

The Smooth Cast® 300 Series of liquid plastics are ultra-low viscosity casting resins that yield castings that are bright white and virtually bubble free. Vacuum degassing is not necessary. They offer the convenience of a one to one mix ratio (one part A to one part B by volume). Fully cured castings are tough, durable, machinable and paintable. They resist moisture and mild solvents. Applications for Smooth-Cast® Liquid Plastics include reproducing small to medium size sculptures,making prototype models, roto cast pieces, and special effect props.

Smooth-Cast® 300Q - 4-5 minute demold time
Smooth-Cast® 300 - 10 minute demold time
Smooth-Cast® 305 - 30 minute demold time
Smooth-Cast® 310 - 2-4 hour demold time

Or

The Smooth Cast® 320 Series consists of new ultra-low viscosity/low cost casting resins that yield virtually bubble-free castings. Smooth Cast® 320 Series resins pigment better and are lower in cost. Applications for Smooth Cast® 320 Series resins include reproducing small to medium size sculptures, making prototype models, special effect props, decorative jewelry, etc. Easy to mix and pour, these resins offer the convenience of a one to one mix ratio (one Part A to one Part B by volume). Fully cured castings are tough, durable, machinable and paintable. They resist moisture and mild solvents.

Smooth-Cast® 320 - 10 minute demold time
Smooth-Cast® 321 - 30 minute demold time
Smooth-Cast® 322 - 2-4 hour demold time

 

[Primetime21]

I use the SC- 310. Lower heat, less bubbles. I use it on my open and two part molds. Just paint in a coat then pour away.

 

[Beaker]

I use the SC- 310. Lower heat, less bubbles. I use it on my open and two part molds. Just paint in a coat then pour away.

Rick from Smooth-On here, actually less heat for 310 compared to 300 is not true, the longer cure time comes from the catalyst not the exotherm... if anything use the quickest setting resin you feel comfortable with... it is less harsh chemically on your mold and also less destructive heat wise because you can demold faster... another advantage to a faster resin is that it has less time to react with abient moisture in the air which the moisture will definately cause bubbles...
If you are worried about bubbles on the surface of the casting, dust some baby powder in the molds first then blow out with an airhose (not the mouth, think moisture!), this will release the surface tension of the silicone which will produce a smoother casting... air caught in areas that need venting are another issue and that is more of a mold configuration problem...
Hope that helps
Rick
aka BEAKER

 

[Darth Infamous]

Thanks so much for the input. Great advice on the talc powder. I will not use my breath just compressor air. I already have some vagabond coming my way. It is my first ever experience with resin. We will see. Gonna get my hands good and dirty.

Carl

 

[TheSt.LouisKid]

Great advice on the talc powder. I will not use my breath just compressor air.

Use cornstarch baby powder. Hospitals nursuries don't even use talc anymore because nurses know what it can do to your lungs.

I already have some vagabond coming my way.

I use the 36XXX vagabond resin and find it very reliable and costs less that smooth-on last I checked.

 

[Beaker]

Corn Starch absorbs moisture! Not the best choice for resin casting! Though VERY good for a baby's bottom

 

[RevMarx]

I've never heard of Vagabond, but I have used Smooth-On's resin products (300 and Onyx) and they are very good. I have also used CR-300 resin from MicroMark and I liked it very much as well.

One thing I like about MicroMark's packaging over Smooth-On's is the bottles of resin come with special screw on lids with a conical tip and a tiny cap, like you see on some glue bottles (like, Aleene's Tacky Glue). This allows for excellent control when pouring small batches (which I mostly do), and since the tiny cap just pulls on and off, you don't have to worry about your screw on cap becoming fused to the container from crystallization, as it always seems to. I get so tired of having to get out the channel locks every time I want to open my Smooth-On bottles.

Beaker, you might want to run that up the flag pole at work and see who salutes. I would probably buy my resin from Smooth-On more often if they had a similar type of cap to the MicroMark ones. Or at least if they didn't always seem to fuse shut on me.

-Marx

MRX Designs

 

[Apophis]

I've never heard of Vagabond, but I have used Smooth-On's resin products (300 and Onyx) and they are very good. I have also used CR-300 resin from MicroMark and I liked it very much as well.

One thing I like about MicroMark's packaging over Smooth-On's is the bottles of resin come with special screw on lids with a conical tip and a tiny cap, like you see on some glue bottles (like, Aleene's Tacky Glue). This allows for excellent control when pouring small batches (which I mostly do), and since the tiny cap just pulls on and off, you don't have to worry about your screw on cap becoming fused to the container from crystallization, as it always seems to. I get so tired of having to get out the channel locks every time I want to open my Smooth-On bottles.

Beaker, you might want to run that up the flag pole at work and see who salutes. I would probably buy my resin from Smooth-On more often if they had a similar type of cap to the MicroMark ones. Or at least if they didn't always seem to fuse shut on me.

-Marx

MRX Designs

I too have the same problem with the smooth-on bottles, I use small amounts when casting parts, but that is the extent of the problems.
I prefer smooth-on products to the others, I have much nicer results from them.

Im with Marx on this one with the caps, maybe add the other type as an extra?

 

[modelnutz]

Quick tip for you guys who like the small dispensers.
Michael's has those large mouth polyproplene bottles.
Look for them with the candy making supplies.
Pretty cheap too.

 

[Primetime21]

I use Johnson's baby powder with pure cornstarch. Works great and no bubbles. Also why I use the SC-310. The longer curing time allows the bubbles to rise to the surface away from your molds.