Thread: The Butchered Blade

http://www.containerstore.com/s/coll...uctId=10020697

I found a single photo box about this size at Hobby Lobby. I like it because it keeps them pretty safe and covered from dust. Be careful fidgeting with getting the scales just right in the silicone, I spent a lot of time and got silicone everywhere and they moved all on their own over night.... Seems like all my work was a waste of time, but the mold still works pretty darn good.

I also did it backwards than the instructions state. You're supposed to pour it over the item, I just poured it and place the scales in there. BUT, I do have some air bubbles that need to be fixed on the new scales. Quick and easy knife work though.

Originally Posted by dinnermint

http://www.containerstore.com/s/coll...uctId=10020697

I found a single photo box about this size at Hobby Lobby. I like it because it keeps them pretty safe and covered from dust. Be careful fidgeting with getting the scales just right in the silicone, I spent a lot of time and got silicone everywhere and they moved all on their own over night.... Seems like all my work was a waste of time, but the mold still works pretty darn good.

I also did it backwards than the instructions state. You're supposed to pour it over the item, I just poured it and place the scales in there. BUT, I do have some air bubbles that need to be fixed on the new scales. Quick and easy knife work though.

Yep! That is what I read when I researched it. You have to lay the original scales in the flat container & they must not be warped & you then pour the silicone over the scales or the item you are making the mold for. It is very important they are not warped. I remember when doing my research that you must do it this way or air bubbles may be present in your results.

I just tapped the heck out of it and plopped 'em in. 2 bubbles on my "good" set and none on my broken "shorty" set. Going to see if I can get a "little" bit of this stuff....

Crystal Clear® Optically Clear Casting Resin from Smooth-On, Inc

90 minute cure time ain't too bad, although the "18" minute one I have now is a little optimistic...

Originally Posted by dinnermint

I just tapped the heck out of it and plopped 'em in. 2 bubbles on my "good" set and none on my broken "shorty" set. Going to see if I can get a "little" bit of this stuff....

Crystal Clear® Optically Clear Casting Resin from Smooth-On, Inc

90 minute cure time ain't too bad, although the "18" minute one I have now is a little optimistic...

Dinnermint, you must be reading my mind! Smooth-On seems to be the one to go with after all the research I did. I'm sure there are others.......

I forget the name of the one I used, it was a cheap kit with everything in it. I sometimes for-go the research in favor of a "shoot from the hip" approach... I got to smooth-on from just googling "clear acrylic resin" and that was one of the first and has the most varied product line. Seems like these people know their molds/castings

Originally Posted by dinnermint

I forget the name of the one I used, it was a cheap kit with everything in it. I sometimes for-go the research in favor of a "shoot from the hip" approach... I got to smooth-on from just googling "clear acrylic resin" and that was one of the first and has the most varied product line. Seems like these people know their molds/castings

I agree! They were the first to come up on the Google page when I was researching it.

[QUOTE=engine46;1611264]...will find something that is flat which is the main thing or make a flat pan for which to pour the silicone in to make the mold. The main thing s to make sure the mold is perfectly flat because you don't want to make warped scales...[QUOTE]

My two cents. Tape the scales on the flat bottom and pour the resin over. There are modelos with lids.
Calphalon Nonstick Springform Pan & Reviews | Wayfair

[QUOTE=Matheus;1611293][QUOTE=engine46;1611264]...will find something that is flat which is the main thing or make a flat pan for which to pour the silicone in to make the mold. The main thing s to make sure the mold is perfectly flat because you don't want to make warped scales...

My two cents. Tape the scales on the flat bottom and pour the resin over. There are modelos with lids.
Calphalon Nonstick Springform Pan & Reviews | Wayfair

Thanks Matheus. That looks like it will work out great! Can't tape over the scales but some very thin double sided sticky tape like carpet tape to hold the scales down would work since dinnermint said his moved around after pouring the mold.

They did, but that may have been because I did it backwards, I did that because of my container and how I wanted it to turn out. The overall shape of the molds were very accurate and didn't deform. Now I just have to dial in my pour with the resin. I keep overflowing them, which isn't bad but adds sanding work after release. This might be another reason to make the mold as directed, leveling off the pour will be easier if the scales are flush with the bottom of the mold container...

Originally Posted by dinnermint

They did, but that may have been because I did it backwards, I did that because of my container and how I wanted it to turn out. The overall shape of the molds were very accurate and didn't deform. Now I just have to dial in my pour with the resin. I keep overflowing them, which isn't bad but adds sanding work after release. This might be another reason to make the mold as directed, leveling off the pour will be easier if the scales are flush with the bottom of the mold container...

Yes. That is why it is very important that they are not warped. I'm not saying yours were warped either, just sayin'........
You've done a great job so far but the more ya do it, the better it will get.