The Energon Pub

Website · by **Skullgrin140** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 3:32 pm

Wow, those are awesome!

by **Ramrider** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 4:48 pm

So? How'd you do it?

I'm getting the hang of one-piece moulds, but I'm still lost so far when it comes to finding something to make two-part moulds, especially on a budget.
At the moment, I'm making one-part moulds by pouring latex over a component fixed into a frame, then filling the mould with epoxy resin. But that only works when you're casting something with one flat side; if you want detail on both sides it's a no-go.
And the resin works to an extent, but it's generally too viscous to run into all the crevices in the mould, so air bubbles are inevitable.

by **TM Devastator** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:11 pm

I used Cybertron Prime hands for my Abominus. Aside from adding a peg to the bottom of them, I just did a lot of sanding to get them into the desired shape. I spent $20 to get them and that includes shipping. In fact, all of the fists I got for my combiners ended up costing me $20 a pair with the exception of Defensor (that was a trade). Damn, $80 just to get firsts for my combiners. That is a lot.

by **TM Devastator** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 7:27 pm

Asphalt wrote:yeah but I dont want to kill my only cyb prime by sanding all of the excess off to cast them.

Oh of course not, I certainly wasn't implying you should. I was mearly trying to re-enforce your decision to use Cybertron Prime hands.

If you think you'd be able to do Anniversary Prime hands, I'd be willing to try and obtain a pair for you to cast. I think they're some of the best possible hands you could use.

by **TM anemis** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:08 pm

i saw your last pictures ... your hands seem really shiny.... that happens to me when the ratio is not good ? is it sticky ?

as for articulate hand i,ve manage to have fully articulated hands and fingers that move just as yours would and the fingers can even make "v" shapes wich is very hard to accomplish..... you should try make your own fingers instead of casting them from existing ones.... if your into molding you,ll have allot of fun trust me !!!

by **TM anemis** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:17 pm

well one thing you could do is make 1 finger that you like and that is detailled to your liking with styrene plastic and after that make more (molding) so you wont have to make 10 !

News Credits: 1 · by **Transtopias Rodimus Prime** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 10:40 pm

Anemis, you forget sometimes that you are a custom/scratchbuilt God. What you speak of as easy is a year away for most of us. I bow to you.

Asphalt, Sweeeeet! How much for a set? I need a set for my Alt Defensor attempt, if they are the right size.

by **Lord_Loqi** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 8:59 am

Ramrider wrote:So? How'd you do it?

I'm getting the hang of one-piece moulds, but I'm still lost so far when it comes to finding something to make two-part moulds, especially on a budget.
At the moment, I'm making one-part moulds by pouring latex over a component fixed into a frame, then filling the mould with epoxy resin. But that only works when you're casting something with one flat side; if you want detail on both sides it's a no-go.
And the resin works to an extent, but it's generally too viscous to run into all the crevices in the mould, so air bubbles are inevitable.

easy way to make a two piece mold is place have your piece your molding in clay and build up your mold wall around it. and poor in your latex. When it dries remove the clay but don't remove the piece your molding. rub the tatex or whatever your using with vasaline on all sides and up against the piece your molding. This will keep the latex or whatever from bonding to the other half of the mold. Rebiuld your wall around it and poor in the other half of the latex and let it harden or jell or watever latex does. Then you should have a two piece mold. Ocasionally some of the mold will seep past and hit the bottom of the other half. You should be able to just cut it free.

by **Lord_Loqi** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 9:00 am

oh of you don't want to use vasaline, you can spend about a hundred or so bucks on brand name compounds taht do the exact same thing

by **Ramrider** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:35 am

Nice. Although I've actually found that a samll amount of acrylic paint works well to colour epoxy resin, too. My Rapid Run hands litterally just had a couple of drops of black acrylic added to each batch I made.

by **TM PowerMasterOptimusPrime** » Mon Aug 06, 2007 4:26 pm

Great job Asphalt.

I'm about to start my own adventure into mold making and casting.Hopefully mine will turn out half as good as yours.

by **TM Mega-Prime** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 8:40 am

Hi guys,

I have toyed with the idea of casting things myself and have found this site that kinda helps explain some stuff, so if your interested take a look.... http://www.smooth-on.com

by **TM divebomb** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 9:25 am

I have been for a while training to be a teacher as some of you might know, it has enabled me to get really good at using a laser cutting machine, When I start my new job in sep I am gonna have a go at making some acrylic hands on it because it allows you to create really small holes and fine detail etc.

If this works well it could mean that I can manufacture these at a small cost tothose that want them