I think I may have to try my hand at resin casting...

[JTalmage]

I need to make some parts, and I've already spoken to a few resin casters who didnt feel it was cost effective to cast only a few. So i've decided to take it in to my own hands.

I see that the Amazing Resins kit seems to be a good starter kit. Anyone have any recommendations or tips?

I just need to reproduce an interior tub to a Fairlane. But if I'm going to start doing parts for myself, I may do more for myself later.

Is this a worthwhile thing to look in to doing? I dont think I'd ever produce mainstream or sell, just to use on my own cars, or good friends cars.

[Psychographic]

As someone who is a novice at casting, I have one suggestion for you for casting something rather large but thin such as the interior tub. Use a resin that takes a while to set. I started with an Alumilite kit and their resin sets up in about 90 seconds, that's hardly enough time to get it to flow through the whole mold. Also think about vents to allow the air to be displaced by the resin, it can get trapped in a lot of places you might not expect.

Hopefully more experienced people will have better and more suggestions for you.

I think being able to cast your own parts is very useful. Let's say you build a lot of lowriders, buying aftermarket pumps can get expensive after a while, especially when you consider shipping costs. On my last build, I lost a Corvair valve cover when it went down the drain while rinsing it after a trip to the stripper. I used Alumilites mold putty to make the mold as it sets quick (I wouldn't use it for any complex parts) and had a new cover in about 20 minutes. I saved myself from having to ask for a part, wait for the right person to read about it and then have it mailed to me.

Resin casting supplies are not exactly cheap, but are worth it IMO.

Edited April 1, 2014 by Psychographic

[Greg Wann]

http://www.etsy.com/

http://www.smooth-on.com/

http://azinventors.org/

Resin casting can be fun but the "claying up" activity can be very boring work. I only make parts from two piece molds. Resin and silicone is a fascinating world not just limited to model car parts. You can sell your hand made work on the etsy link above. There are some model kits listed there too, go check them out. If you have a business like Reynolds Advanced Materials near you like I do they have product on the shelf and sample projects made to see. Take a look at the SMOOTH-ON site for cool ideas. If you have a wife or significant other that is artsy fartsy you might just create something cool the world will want and you might get rich. That's where I'm trying to go! Look online for a local inventors association too. There is one here in Arizona.

Edited April 1, 2014 by Greg Wann

[goodguyinar416]

I myself have been casting for over 12 years and have ABC Specialties and it's very enjoyable to do. It can be time consuming. Now that I'm recently retired have more time to spend doing my casting..!

I'm a member in a couple model car clubs in our area and do resin casting for a lot of them. I also do for some of the local model military club members. *I don't do the bodies, or real large parts, but really enjoy doing the small detailed items like on my site.

Doing resin casting for yourself is great when you need more than one certain part. It's not real cheap. Most of the money I do make as ABC, goes right back into buying materials.

I been ordering my rubber/resin from the same company for almost 10 years now and really great at getting my stuff to me in just a few days. I think they have some of the best rubber/resin !

Good luck. If I can help, just yell...!

Art

ABC Specialties

Resin Casting

http://public.fotki.com/Goodguyinar416/

Edited April 2, 2014 by goodguyinar416