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Post by casimir on Aug 22, 2005 12:13:04 GMT -5
Hey guys.... Here's an update from my own experience. I suspect this will be old news to pros like Scooter, but it was refreshing to me. I just tried some Platsil 71-20 RTV Silicone Rubber from "The Complete Sculptor." Man alive, it is so much better than old fashioned latex rubber! What used to take a week, and ultimately caused hurt in my hands now takes a little over and hour with ease. With latex rubber, I had to apply coat after coat. Allowing each coat to dry meant that a mold of a figure's head took a week. Once it was ready, the casting was always difficult to remove. I'd cut my hands on the flash sometimes. But this new stuff... The mold sets in an hour, and the casting pops out easily with no release agent required. Granted, I've only copied two heads and used Alumilite for the casting, so my experience is limited, but I was thrilled with the results. The downside is, it's expensive. The smallest kit available is $34.99, and I suspect that will last for about 5 moldings. Still, I'm sold. Here's the link to the main site for ordering: www.magicsculpt.com/Here's a direct link to the silicone products: www.sculpt.com/catalog_98/RUBBERS/siliconeplat.htm I used Platsil 71-20 RTV Silicone Rubber. Just thought I'd share. C.
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Post by radioscooter on Aug 22, 2005 13:38:49 GMT -5
Cas - the reason some of the RTV silicone (room temperature vulcanizing) is so expensive (including that stuff you just used) is that some are platinum catalyst based. Platinum is more expensive than gold. Ergo...
There are some NON platinum based catalyst rubbers and some go a little cheaper tha that stuff. ALL the good ones are still kind of expensive, but it just makes you more economically inventive when creating molds.
Alumilite makes their own types of RTV silicone and so does smooth-on. However - I have used the Alumilite rubber only as it has worked really well for me. No release agent etc.
Even if you don't buy smooth-on products - their site is a treasure trove of casting and molding tips and tutorials. I highly reccomend it.
-S
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Post by casimir on Aug 22, 2005 16:21:33 GMT -5
I'm still open to experimentation. I'll see what the smooth-on site offers. And you recommend the Alumilte rubber? Whats the set time on that?
C.
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Post by faithfulbutler on Aug 22, 2005 18:50:00 GMT -5
That's really helpful info guys.I plan to get into some Casting very shortly and recently found a supplier that stocks all types of Casting Materials.Keep this discussion going so when i go to visit this place i will have some idea of what i'm talking about[which would be a change for me ].
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