Mold Making Problems / Questions

[raalst]

Re: Mold Making Problems / Questions

the strong white flex material used/offered by Shapeways is basically nylon,
so it should be OK in water. It is also easy to paint
because it is slightly porous.

wall thickness might be a problem though...

[Guest]

Re: Mold Making Problems / Questions

They do some other materials which can go down to 0.1mm (4 thou).

[ramius-ii]

Re: Mold Making Problems / Questions

Thanks Guys!
The smallest dimension in use is 0.0300" or .762 mm and maybe a nylon master to make a mold from would be best as for some unknown reason the brass I am using causes the RTV to swell!

[Guest]

Re: Mold Making Problems / Questions

Something else you could try is Vinamold. This is a reusable meltable flexible plastic, so once you've finished with your tool, you can remelt it into a new one. It's similar to RTV, but the mould has to be capable of taking the heat, a metal tool will have no problems.

You can get it in different grades, the yellow stuff being the toughest.

Andy

[bigdave]

Re: Mold Making Problems / Questions

Hi Andy,
The problem with that is it is not available in the states.
I looked and the only outlet I could find you had to buy like $700 worth and open a account and guarantee to buy so much for the year.
Looks like cool product though. BD.

[Guest]

Re: Mold Making Problems / Questions

Well it's a shame they don't sell it over there, but why is that a problem?

A block of this stuff won't cost a fortune to ship, and it should last the average modeller a long time. Perhaps the place that wants to sell you $700 worth might be prepared to send a sample for you to try out, either that or see if you organise a group purchase.

[bigdave]

Re: Mold Making Problems / Questions

Hi Andy,
I had just learned about the product not to long ago and was still reserching the options.
If I remember right though most of the places that sold it over the pond did not ship to the US.
But as I said I did not do a lot of investigation.
Have you ever tried it?
It looked nice for making simple molds but I guess you have to be careful when melting it. BD.

[Guest]

Re: Mold Making Problems / Questions

I've used the Yellow vinamold ( hardest compound). Can't speak from experience about the softer compounds, guess they're better for subjects with large undercuts.

You do need to be careful about burning it, but you can heat it up in a domestic oven quite easily.

Here are a couple of suppliers-

http://www.tiranti.co.uk/subdivision_pr ... vision=502

http://www.glasplies.co.uk/fibreglass-s ... /vinamould