I need recommendations on what type of casting resin and silicone rubber to buy...What's the best?

[Michael_Devine]

What is the best resin and silicone rubber for casting?

[18bravo]

Several factors here, durability of the mold being the most important if you want to make multiple castings. Assuming you’re in the states, I’d recommend Alumilite, available at Hobby Lobby. I use it. No one has ever complained about my castings.

[Biggles50]

I’ve used Alumilite, too. It cures quickly. Unfortunately, the solutions have a definitive shelf life. Try to do all your castings with one set of solutions within 6 months, or so, because they will probably expire.

[amoz02t]

Yes Michael. The castings can best be formed in a pressure pot like a paint sprayer bucket. After forming the Alumilite resin can be cut with a saw, filed and painted. Here is something I tried using a LEGO box to form the silicone mold.

Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore

Hi. I was working on a vignette with scratch-built figures motivated by a favorite outdoor pastime of many. Wanted to capture a special moment in the woods. This is a good friend’s farm somewhere in Kentucky. I started with a look at this guy’s tree stand he designed and built years ago as a boy. More to follow soon. [image]

[18bravo]

@amoz02t

The castings can best be formed in a pressure pot like a paint sprayer bucket.

And incredibly easy to convert:

[HeavyArty]

Another option is Alumalite Amazing Mold Maker available at Wal-Mart. It is a quick setting version that can be used after 30 minutes of curing time. I think you can only get it at Wal-Mart. It is the only place I have seen it.

They also carry the 2-part resin that goes with it.

[18bravo]

As I said above, several factors come into play when choosing the right mold making material.

There are advantages and disadvantages to the Amazing Mold Maker from WalMart.

Some find it easier to mix because it’s 1:1 rather than 10:1 ratio like the HS series RTVs by the same company. Not an issue if you have the right measuring equipment.

AMM -Faster work time. But not as durable. Softer mold tears more easily, can deform as the part is being cast.

RTV - more suited to multiple castings, potentially more accurate, takes deeper undercuts better.

You can see here some of the things I’ve cast dozens (fuel bladders) and hundreds (HESCOs)

of times with the RTV and they’re still holding up very well.

The squashed bladder is not a mistake - I hollow cast them so I can heat them with a dry and show them being used. Works for HESCOs as well if you want to show a divot from a vehicle strike. The photo also illustrates why it’s crucial to build a pressure pot - there are absolutely no pinholes in these castings.

I also do the smaller ones - here’s the mold for comparison to the larger HESCOs. Way better than the ones at model models n the dark brown resin.

Gino, can you show us your molds you made using Amazing Mold Maker? I cannot - they didn’t hold up.

[Barney]

You can get it on Amazon.
Alumilite Amazing Mold Maker [8 fl oz A + 8 fl oz B (16 ounces) 2-Part Mix] Platinum Fast-Cure Silicone Molding Compound Casting DIY Epoxy, Resin, Concrete, Cosplay & Food | Flexible Liquid Rubber Kit Alumilite Amazing Mold Maker [8 fl oz A + 8 fl oz B (16 ounces) 2-Part Mix] Platinum Fast-Cure Silicone Molding Compound Casting DIY Epoxy, Resin, Concrete, Cosplay & Food | Flexible Liquid Rubber Kit : Amazon.ca: Home