Does Anyone have any advice on a cheaper alternative to smoothon for silicone mold making materials?
One person to ask would be @maxk68.
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One can make silicone molds from 100% silicone caulk and a catalyst (often glycerine from dish soap or corn starch) to accelerate the curing process.
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Alginate (made from algae) can be used for single-use molds. It is pretty cheap, mixes with water, and is “flesh safe”: it is used to make dental impressions and can capture fine detail. It’s often used for SFX makeup where a single copy of an actor’s hands/head/foot whatever is needed. Faces/heads use alginate + plaster bandages to make a mother mold to support the alginate. Extremities can be cast by filling a canister with alginate and inserting the hand/foot, then easing the body part back out once the alginate cures.
You can cast plaster into the alginate, but slow and fast cure resins both present problems.
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I appreciate your input, I really do, I am not trying to “make” the silicone material itself, just find an offbrand Silicone mold materials for cheaper than SmootOn. Thank you for your suggestions.
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Would need more specifics on what kind of mold you’re trying to make. Platinum cure or tin cure? Shear strength, longevity, detail reproduction. I know @maxk68 prefers Brick in the yard (bity https://www.brickintheyard.com/). I personally prefer smoothon because it has been more consistent and better longevity than the bity molds I’ve made.
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make a reproduction of a plastic part
I use the amazing silicone mold rubber you can buy at hobby lobby for my small stuff. It is 19.99 but I use the 40% off coupon in their app. For a small project it is the easiest and cheapest way I have found.
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Is it a 2 part like the smooth on?
It is. You add the catalyst then mix and you can degass it in a vacuum chamber but I do a high (about 2 ft above the container) slow pour and it works real well for no air pockets.
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Do you know the pot life/ demold time?
Off the top of my head I believe it is 2 to 4 hours. I always have leaned to the 4 hour mark
I just looked it up. Working time is 20 to 30 min and curing time is 2 to 4 hours. If you go with Amazing mold rubber kit, go to hobby lobby it is 19.99 and if use download their app you get a 40% off coupon
Thanks for the tips!
No problem. I am going to be at dms tomorrow at noon doing g a resin class but while waiting for that I will be making a mold of some hand guards if you wNt to come by
I’ll be working, but thanks for the offer! I think i get the idea, just glad to know there’s a cheaper mold option out there.
Let me know if you want some help on your first one. I can meet anytime and if you are close to wylie I live there