Henry,
I´ve been working with Heat Resistant Silicon making molds for my ships Parrott Rifles and IX Dahlgrens. I pour them with Tin. I bought some 1/96 scale Civil War Naval figures for my upcoming project. I wasn´t really satisfied with the quality of these figures so I am going to try and mold them using a a soft tin and re work the details. I want to try it with the soft tin so I can bend the arms, legs, head and body into different positions. They are sitting in the lower half of the mold already. My shop is a disaster right now because I´m using the room to store stuff but as soon as it´s free again, I´ll finish that little project.
I did a little experimenting with the clay fisherman figure for my Skipjack in 1/24th scale. Once the clay has hardened, it´s very easy to work. I´ve never tried sculpting before and this was just an experimental run but I do like the results so far. Just need more experience. I´ll try and post a picture of the progress I have so far later.

 

Custom Search

Searching for something? See Search Tips, Main Search Page, Amazon Quick Search Do a "Quickie" - Google that is!  Or would you rather - "Amazon" New! - Search Bing

Bill:

Contact me offline, my email address is I'll get back to you within the next few days.

landlubber7
Henry

 

Custom Search

Searching for something? See Search Tips, Main Search Page, Amazon Quick Search Do a "Quickie" - Google that is!  Or would you rather - "Amazon" New! - Search Bing

I think that presentation is all that matters and how the intended owner/viewer likes it. In other words, dioramas down to about 1/72-76th scale can be fantastic, although putting a few hundred figures on the victory may make the actual model build itself seem easy. 1/100th or smaller would be WWWAAYY to small. If you just want to relate scale in a display then just a few would also work. I did a few armored model display sets (ie just the model with a few redesigned figures and now big diorama ground sets) that I liked.

 

Custom Search

Searching for something? See Search Tips, Main Search Page, Amazon Quick Search Do a "Quickie" - Google that is!  Or would you rather - "Amazon" New! - Search Bing

Sorry for the delay,. Will get back to you first chance I get.

Landlubber7
Henry

 

Custom Search

Searching for something? See Search Tips, Main Search Page, Amazon Quick Search Do a "Quickie" - Google that is!  Or would you rather - "Amazon" New! - Search Bing

Hello:

I recently came across the following sites http://www.ptiprototype.com/stepsinspincasting.htm 
http://www.prototypingrapid.com/ 

Sorry can't undo the jumble of the 2nd page.


http://www.myheap.com/book/chapter-.../spincaster.php 

http://www.dark-platypus.com/rtv.htm  (This is excellent)

This is just a few of the instructional materials that I found across the web.

The RTV heat resistant material can be expensive but if done properly can be quite productive in the long run,. Thats where dark-platypus comes in.
Likewise all of us can't afford to purchase or spend for that matter a couple of thousand dollars just to make a hard rubber mold much less cast the figures from it.

I formulated the following thoughts while researching this topic,

1. All you need is the heat resistant RTV material This can be found on the web.
2. The ROTO TOOL or necessary "motor" can be purchased from Harbor Freight for about $19.00
3. For protection you can purchase FIRE BRICKS which can surround the mold WHILE CASTING THE METAL., you can find sources on the net.
4. You would have to purchase 2 Lazy Susan Base's which you can find at the following site, ask for a catalog.
http://www.rockler.com/ 
Or doll house retailers.

As far as the hard rubber is concerned you can always substitute another cheaper material in its place, to take up the bulk of empty space. Just leaving the necessary tracks or avenues for casting the material made of the RTV rubber.

5. Jewelers supply houses sell inexpensive casting funnels in which to pour the molten metal from above.

Finally the most important part would be to make the figure you wish to cast.

All in all be creative as to how you approach this topic, and don't give up while going thru the stages of making your devise just be careful enough to wear safty glasses and proper protective clothing while casting material.

Another source specifically remarked about his slight mishaps by showing his war scars, but he didn't give up and cast some beautiful material.

Another good source is lead,. Tire companys or garages like Goodyear, give this stuff away freely, don't be afraid to ask if they can spare some lead weights.
Just have good ventilation while melting this material on your stove as the fumes are toxic.

Go to it and have fun.

Landlubber7
Henry

[edit - links fixed by wirewolf]

 

Custom Search

Searching for something? See Search Tips, Main Search Page, Amazon Quick Search Do a "Quickie" - Google that is!  Or would you rather - "Amazon" New! - Search Bing