Searching for the perfect casting resin

Norm Dresner · 2006-04-24T14:19:05+00:00

Let me preface this by saying that I'm trying to cast things that are probably too small/thin to do reliably in resin with home equipment. However ... some of the parts are pieces of stripwood that represent portions of HO scale 2x4 lumber. The original is ~.024" thick and ~.045 wide and the mold -- done with Micromark's One-to-One 4 hour RTV looks pretty good to my eye with a rectangular cross-section and sharp corners.I've tried two products that I can get locally 1. From the local craft store I get Castin'craft Clear Liquid Plastic Casting Resin 2. From the local hobby shop I've gotten Alumilite Super Plastic (white if it makes any difference)I've been careful measuring and mixing equal quantities of the two parts of each and my results are: 1. Castin'craft shrinks below the top of the mold so that the parts are only about half of their original thickness and hence unusable because they're floppy 2. Alumilite doesn't shrink much but the parts are too soft to use because they lack rigidly, though the slug left in the mixing cup seems hard enough.SO ... I'd like something that doesn't shrink and is strong enough to create thin castings that can support their own weight.Recommendations welcome.TIA Norm

Apr 24, 2006 22 Replies

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Ivor 20 years ago

Thanks for the reply Norm (and Jon too), so it sounds like its worth a try, just have to experiment a bit ...

Ivor

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Anthony J. Albert 20 years ago

I've had this problem as well, and had to experiment until I found an assortment of materials that would give me consistent results.

Eventually, I went to using no mold release agent, for a number of my castings - castings that were single or small batches cured more evenly, and while sometimes the mold was damaged - by that time I was done with the number of castings I needed to make.

Anthony Albert

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Norm Dresner 20 years ago

| | I've had this problem as well, and had to experiment until I found an | assortment of materials that would give me consistent results. | | Eventually, I went to using no mold release agent, for a number of my | castings - castings that were single or small batches cured more | evenly, and while sometimes the mold was damaged - by that time I was | done with the number of castings I needed to make. | | Anthony Albert

Yup! That's my solution too. Thanks for adding your voice to the "Incompatibility Chorus" -- maybe some manufacturer will get the message someday.

Norm

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