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I was planning to make some customer parts for some Chimera conversions I am planning to do for my guard army and i was wondering if it would be easier in the long run to either make a "master" and copy it in resin or get some made up how I want them by someone?

Bascially, I am planning to use a similar style to a paper / card tank template design that I found online to make Chimera's into Russes that look like baby Macharius (which I am planning to have a variant of as the army centrepiece).

How easy is it to make your own resin parts bearing in mind I have never done it before?

Also, does anyone have any idea where I would get parts made for me if I decided it would be too hard to do?

If the parts you need are fairly easy to build multiples of, then doing so is the simplest option.

Next simplest is to build one master yourself, and get a local resin caster to make a mould and cast multiple copies of it. This ensures they're all the same, but will cost you more, especially as (I'm guessing) you'll only want half a dozenish.

There are plenty of internet resources about doing your own resin casting, but it's not an easy thing to get into. I wouldn't bother, unless you think you'd like to learn casting for other future stuff too.

I don't know about costs, but in the UK you can get a 3D model printed at The Colour Company. That might be an option, though of course you have to get the model done first.

Yeah, I forgot about 3D printing - that has actually become practical recently. But as with casting, learning it may be a lot of work, and worthwhile only if you expect to use it for future projects too.

I was considering 3D printing, not sure how much it will be for a part the size I want - its basiscally going to replace the upper hull and troop compartment part of the Chimera.

Would I need to make a "master" model and get it scanned or can they generate a 3D model based on a line diagram?

Also note sure it I want it with rivet detail on but thats a minor detail really!

 Clang wrote:
Yeah, I forgot about 3D printing - that has actually become practical recently. But as with casting, learning it may be a lot of work, and worthwhile only if you expect to use it for future projects too.

What I think you would have to do is make a sketch of what you wanted and find someone who would make a 3D model of it. There must be plenty of people with enough 3D skill to make a relatively simple static model of mechanical parts, which are much simpler than animated human figures. Then you take the file to the shop and they print it. Depending on the size and shape of the parts you might need to have them done as a set of parts that you assemble.

Simple resin casting is fairly simple. I learnt to make a single piece mould and cast and the bases for my Termagants very quickly. It is harder to make a two piece mould. The hardest bit is making a good master sculpt that is mouldable, in other words, that will form a mould that finished pieces can be got out of. Again, mechanical parts should be easier than organic parts and you could probably make a lot of the master pieces with plasticard, etc.

Going back to 3D, there are already forums where people sell little models they have made. I can't find the link ATM but there is a guy doing a series of ship models. That is the kind of person who already has the skills to make your Chimaera parts. You might like to approach someone like that.

I had a look on Shapeways at the 3D stuff on there but I think you need to already have a 3d file for them to print it.

I might try making up a resin part myself to begin with if it isn't too hard and then if they to massively wrong I can always get a 3d file made up.

I have found all the DIY resin stuff I can find seems to be clear resin for jewlrey making though - is clear stuff ok to paint over or do I need to find the solid grey type resin to make the parts out of?

I expect you can paint over clear resin. The thing is whether it has the moulding characteristics you want for making parts. For example, you want as thin a pourable resin as possible to allow it to flow easily into the mould and occupy all the voids.

I bought my resin from TOMPS.

You want the Fast Cast polyurethane...

http://www.tomps.com/shop/polyurethane-fast-cast-resin-p-129.html

And for mould making, the RTV additive cure silicone rubber...

http://www.tomps.com/shop/-c-1_7_6.html

Cool, going to try that then.

Does it matter if I make the part solid apart from it weighing more?

Depending on the material you're using, thicker pieces may suffer more from cracking or shrinkage on setting.