Moulds? Molds? Anyways anyone heard of?

[Plastic_Passion]

Flex bar reprorubber..... I work in a machine shop and we use this stuff. Anyone heard of it? I want to cast some resin parts and would love to use this as my masters. No release agent needed when making molds but I'm not sure how itd work pouring something into it.

FWIW I've never cast but want to. 

[Mark]

Never heard of the stuff, but who knows, maybe it will work.  If you are starting out, I'd begin with known good materials, get the hang of it, then experiment with other materials or methods.

[peteski]

My first question would be: What is it used for in the machine shop?

I also say that if you want to resin-cast some stuff,  it would make sense to use the materials specifically designed for casting.

[Plastic_Passion]

Thank you guys for the suggestions. You're right in the get the hang of it before the experimentation.

It's used in the shop I work at to get measurements of parts that you otherwise wouldn't be able to get without molding it. 

Such as dimensions like a countersink. You may need to know the angle of the countersink to mate up with the screw you plan on using. In this instance you would mold the countersink then cut the mold and use edge finding techniques to find the dimensions. 

[Plastic_Passion]

[Deuces ll]

We use some similar stuff in our inspection room but it's blue.... Don't know the name of the stuff, sorry....

[Plastic_Passion]

Ours is blue as well

[Plastic_Passion]

[Deuces ll]

We use a 2-part epoxy mix..... And it stinks!!!!!.... ??

[peteski]

It might work for simple molds. Heck, some people use PlayDoh for molds.  But going by its original use, that rubber is not very stretchy.  If you want to mold more complex shapes the mold material needs to be quite stretchy so the hardened parts can be removed.

[OldNYJim]

3 hours ago, peteski said:

Heck, some people use PlayDoh for molds

For something simple that you’re trying to cast one of, that’s actually a REALLY good idea (if it works).

Better go get me some PlayDoh and experiment ?

[davysmodels]

Looks like a great product, but it is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ The sample kit is 80. from the mfg web site. 

If you want to start resin casting, visit www.smooth-on.com 

They have many online videos for learning casting and making molds.

Link to starter kit.  https://www.smooth-on.com/products/pourable-silicone-starter-kit/

I purchased the starter kit several years ago.

 

 

[Plastic_Passion]

7 hours ago, davysmodels said:

Looks like a great product, but it is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ The sample kit is 80. from the mfg web site. 

If you want to start resin casting, visit www.smooth-on.com 

They have many online videos for learning casting and making molds.

Link to starter kit.  https://www.smooth-on.com/products/pourable-silicone-starter-kit/

I purchased the starter kit several years ago.

 

 

It is great for sure. But I only know it in the context of machining. And you're not kidding about the arm and leg and 18 teeth price wise. ? I'll check out the link for sure! Thank you for the recommendation.

[Ace-Garageguy]

19 minutes ago, Plastic_Passion said:

...I'll check out the link for sure! 

 

Freeman Manufacturing has a series of instructional videos to support their range of tooling, mold-making, and casting products too.

https://www.freemansupply.com/video.htm

So does Polytek.

https://www.polytek.com/how-to/tutorials-videos

I've used many of the materials both companies offer, and they're all first rate.

Knowledge is power.

 

[Chariots of Fire]

I use mold making rubber RTV from Micro-Mark all the time.  I use it for simple molds as well as more complex two piece molds.  It is re-usable and is flexible with excellent reproduction of minute details.  It's mixed 50/50 and has a set-up time of about 4 hours.  Two part molds need mold release between them in order to get them apart for casting purposes.

[Plastic_Passion]

Thank you to all who have contributed to this thread!