Dustman
Member
I am just getting into making my own blanks. I'm looking for opinions regarding pros and cons of silicon and HDPE molds.
Silicon vs. HDPE Molds
- Thread starter Dustman
- Start date
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- Tags
- mold making
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We use both. Silicone is easier to mess with but doesn't last as long before they degrade.
HDPE molds are bullet proof but you need to use some sort of release to get the blanks out easy. You also need to make sure to seal the seams to prevent leakage.
Good luck!
HDPE molds are bullet proof but you need to use some sort of release to get the blanks out easy. You also need to make sure to seal the seams to prevent leakage.
Good luck!
calabrese55
Member
This guy does a good job explaining stuff here is his vid related to your question. I hope it helps.
calabrese55
calabrese55
egnald
Member
I started out on the cheap, using 5 and a half long pieces of Schedule 80 PVC pipe and a Jerry built jig to seal the bottoms against a piece of HDPE with a silicone gasket. - Dave
Trust me; I have watched all the youtube, ordered many different types of silicones, and was unable to produce a usable mold. I tried to change the variables such as temprature, humidity, mixtures, etc.. several times... the definition of insanity... if you cannot beat aliexpress; join them...
Hdpe is my next mold attempt; I have seen very large HDPE cutting boards (1/8"thick, 90x90cm) in the $1store here. I could throw a square mold together; but its tough to beat these $2 ice trays.. yes, they need finishing work on the bandsaw/table saw... My bandsaw blades dont mind.
Not sure what you are making; pens, wine stoppers, bottle openers, etc... find my post on the silicone candle mold; <$10 cant really beat those if making pens... if you need larger diameters look at the airfryer silicone molds, look at the popsicle molds... you get what you pay for.. i am 30 pours into the candle molds and they are fine.. will they last much longer: probably not.. I expect them to rip apart because I demold with compressed air.. it has not ripped yet; but I know it will happen eventually.. they cost me $5.60USD so its not worth crying over when I blow them up!