Casting materials for custom built components

[0121modeller]

Hi,

We're moving to a smaller house soon & I'll need to sacrifice any "layout" project idea's as for re-building a good size model railway (unless I can use the loft at the new house)

 

So I've decided to have a go at modelling in a different aspect- Casting moulds for various projects,

I've done some basic research into this "casting" subject I've so far purchased some items as to produce the sillicone moulds for castings,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230541157170? ... 1439.l2649

 

Apparantly, so I understand it, sillicone moulds are suitable for many casting materials, plaster, Fimo, resin, whitemetal, P.U. , etc.

So with the exception of whitemetal, Can anyone give any advice on which is best to use ?

Amongst the items I wish to cast are small 1"x 1" x 1/8" flatish with a slight pyramid feature (Similar to component used in a Dapol/Airfix footbridge kit)

So the detail on that & other tasks is not fragile, intricate or a difficult shape to cast.

 

My question is; Is there a casting product I could use which is styrene based as to "weldmelt compatible" the cast item to Wills, Slaters plastikard & Plastruct etc styrene products ?

A type of air drying modelling clay seems an easy option, but due to their texture they'de be ideal for portraying brick & masonary items, i wish to portray some items made of steel, so how do other casted materials compare & are they weld-melt-able to styrene ?

 

Any comments or advice on this appreciated

[iL Dottore]

I've done a lot of casting, using cold-cast 2-part resins of different types and have been generally quite satisfied (even though casting very small components can result in a lot of QC rejects) I have not used plaster, although I've heard good things about the specialised casting plasters. Poyfilla and similar are too friable for good casting.

 

I've not had any problems in fixing resin to plastic (or vice-versa) and a good two part expoxy or superglue is your friend here (what you use depends upon the resin type and part size).

 

As far as I am aware, there are no styrene based casting materials that can be used safely at home. The resins that are styrene based (e.g. Styrene acrylonitrile resin or Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) I don't think can be used at home

[0121modeller]

Hiya, thanks for the info given.,

I've recently purchased this product as to try out some "experimental" castings to tart me off;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110723466910?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I also purchased some sillicone RTV as to make moulds for castings.

 

I'll probably have a go at testing other materials for casting at a later date, most likely a P.U. resin.

 

Cheers,

Dave.

[Phil Traxson]

Just a word of warning when using P.U. resin, do get hold of the correct grade of rubber for casting it in. Just any rubber you have to hand may not work, either sticking to the resin or degrading after a couple of uses.

 

There are many grades of resin and probably an equal number of grades of rubber, use a good supplier and make sure they know what you need it for and they will advise you on the best ones to use.

 

Happy Casting

 

Phil T.

Port Wynnstay Models

PS.

For modellers quantities of the materials mentioned in the attached FAQ try "Hobby Holidays" minimum quantities from Amber Composites are more geared towards full time casting.

MOBILE RESIN FOUNDRY FAQ.doc

[Mike Bellamy]

For modellers quantities of the materials mentioned in the attached FAQ try "Hobby Holidays" minimum quantities from Amber Composites are more geared towards full time casting.

Thanks for posting your FAQ sheet. I have seen the Hobby Holidays resin advertised (was it in GOG Gazette?) and found it on their web site here http://www.hobbyholidays.co.uk/products.php?cat=115

 

Mike