dumb question but

[sdrodder]

Well i have been wondering bout that a long time. What happened to the molds from resin casters who went out of buissness? Like for example i think all american models. I think thats the name. They went out of buissness and just saw some castings that looked like they were made from thier molds. But anyway what happens to them.

[CAL]

  sdrodder said:

Well i have been wondering bout that a long time. What happened to the molds from resin casters who went out of buissness? Like for example i think all american models. I think thats the name. They went out of buissness and just saw some castings that looked like they were made from thier molds. But anyway what happens to them.

Sometimes they get sold off and or change hands. Molds don't last a long time some most of them probably are tossed. It's the masters that the important part. You can always make a new mold from a master.

[george 53]

Ok then, Wat happens to the Masters?

[CAL]

  george 53 said:

Ok then, Wat happens to the Masters?

any number of things.

Sometimes.

Limited run stuff is distroyed by good faith or contract that there is X number of copies and that is it, "Here is the master cut in half to prove it."

Some are sold to a new caster and they may cast what is there or try to improve it a little. (it happened a lot with aircraft masters and molds.

Most of the resin casters are garage kit makers and don't have a lot of overhead or owe a lot to venders, so auctions, and sezing assets is very rare.

I think most just say they are going OB because the effort put in is much larger than any income or revenue it generates.

Furthermore, there is a whole lot of scabs that will make second rate copies and sell them for a less, screwing the guy how did the originals.

It is very hard to protect yourself from these guys. The whole Figure industry nearly vanished becuase there were so many illegal copies being made and sold for a lot less.

Anyway, the masters and mold that are sold, traded, or distroyed are probably in someones garage somewhere collecting dust.

[mikemodeler]

Hopefully Art Anderson (Biscuitbuilder) from All American Models will let us know what happens to the old molds and masters as he can speak from experience.

Given the quality variances available in resin, some molds being destroyed is not a bad thing!

Mike

[RyanSilva]

I read on SA a while back ..and ART said..he has most of his masters..and molds (that are survived)..I believe he said he wont part with any of them. (im not saying this to step on anyones toes..dont even quote me on this..but im pretty sure thats what i read)

[sdrodder]

it just made me wonder when i saw couple of those ''look like all american models resin cast items'' on ebay made me wonder if they were sold or whatever else. Do you think if you would ask him to cast something would he do it or not?

[RyanSilva]

Doesnt hurt to ask..or does it? ..as far as i know, Art has retired from resin casting for good. It would require some hefty time to cast something when your not in the buisiness anymore. As far as his stuff on ebay..some folks could have pulled there own molds off his work or modified his pieces and casted it as there own, it happens alot sadly.

[Guest zebm1]

Art is keeping "His" Masters because they are "his" and a few good friends work. Don't ask, he won't sell them. You will just have to wait until he is under tha dirt...depending on what Instructions he leaves in his Will.

On the other hand, J&S Resins is now producing former JNJ Resin Models through a deal and selling JNJ Decals (they are friends) and I have heard that Karl Stark, Early Racing Classics is getting back into business - he has let J&S produce some of his work over they past few years.

[Jello]

Its not a dumb question for sure! I remember countless resin bodies & parts from the late '80s & '90s that were so good and many of them I wish was still around. Take SJS resin bodies & parts, they had some really awesome stuff and others like Ron Cash did too.

I still have a few of the resin items left from many of the casters that went out of business and sure was some were still around today.

I have often wonder what happens to the molds myself and guess that several were probably so worn out to be useful anymore.

Does anybody know if Mill City Replicas is still in business? Thanks.

~ Jeff

[Guest zebm1]

The molds don't last very long, you get maybe 6-10 or so runs before the rubber starts failing, especially if there are any undercuts. What you have to get is the Masters....they are what you need, so that you can make new molds. The problem with resin casting bodies is the cost of materials. According to my Buds who are in that business, it takes at least 6 pulls on the mold just to cover cost of materials, then your profit is in the pulls after. My Buds try to make at least 10-12 pulls or 4-6 for profit @ say $25 each.....not much money. Which is why Modelhaus is so expensive, they probably pull fewer bodies from their molds.

Edited August 12, 2008 by zebm1

[sdrodder]

thanks for the responses. It was something that has been in the back of my mind for a long time. Also i asked was because some may have seen this i will be doing some hearse and ambulance conversions in resin. So i have already one person that wants 2 but i told him that it will be a long time till i am ready to go ahead with casting. So it helped me out. Thanks fer the info.