What molds do you use?

[Randy Simmons]

I am looking into various molds to buy for general casting work.

What do you use?

I am not a big fan of the "kit specific" molds or the resin savers... I like universality

I have found these : Custom Silicone Pen Molds

I may use pvc pipe as well, but it might make it tricky to drill?

Thoughts, anyone?

Thanks,

Randy

 

[Justturnin]

I make my own using Mold Max 30. It makes a great mold and I can create it as custom or generic as I need.

 

[BSea]

I use mostly PVC. But I also use silicone molds for alumilite. I don't understand why you think it would be tricky to drill a blank from a pvc mold.

 

[jbswearingen]

I have a mold I made from silicone caulk and two from cutting boards. I'll be trying the PVC method soon. Round is easier to drill than square; I've often had "square" blanks that weren't so square. Round will mount up in a vice the same as square.

 

[reiddog1]

Randy,
I mainly use PVC for all of my casting. I do have some cast and craft molding trays, but I still haven't got the hang of them yet. Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[Randy Simmons]

I have a PSI drill chuck, I reckoned that it wouldn't have enough to grip with no corners

Shows what I know

 

[reiddog1]

I too have the same drill chuck. Been drilling round blanks for a long time with no issues whatsoever. You will be pleasently suprised my friend.

Dave

 

[Displaced Canadian]

I don't cast that much, I use plastic pipe and for square molds I use Walmart cutting boards and use tape to hold them together. That way there is no issue getting them out of the mold.

 

[Brooks803]

All my molds i get from Fred Wissen (Ptownsubbie). Fred Wissen Designs - handcrafted pens, bowls, furniture, and more!

 

[MarkD]

You can also use Fred Wissen (Ptownsubbie) standard horizontal molds ( possibly others ) for tube in casting, rather than molds for specific tubes. There is an article in the library on casting carbon fiber blanks that shows how this can be done.

 

[Randy Simmons]

Now, for tube-in casting, you only have to paint the tube, correct?

 

[jbswearingen]

That depends. If you're casting colored resin over it, yes. If you're casting a snake skin or something else onto the tube, then no.

 

[Russianwolf]

Making a Universal pen blank mold with Easy Mold Silicone Putty.wmv - YouTube

make it how you want it. It's easy.

If you are using PR, square molds are really handy also as you just cut the blanks to size.

 

[mb007]

3/4" PVC
4"x6" food container
Castin' Craft molds purchased from woodnwhimsies.com ($3-4 apiece, best price I could find)

I've got maybe $20 invested total in molds, and have a pretty good amount of flexibility in the size of my pours. I'm only casting for myself, so I don't really need to ever do more than 4 blanks in a slab.

 

[navycop]

You can also use Fred Wissen (Ptownsubbie) standard horizontal molds ( possibly others ) for tube in casting, rather than molds for specific tubes. There is an article in the library on casting carbon fiber blanks that shows how this can be done.

Thanks for the info on the carbon fiber tutorial. I didn't look at it before because I don't use carbon fiber, but never thought to use the horizontal molds for tube in casting.