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I want to make some custom bases and cast multiple of them...
Anyone ever try this stuff?
http://amazingmoldputty.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Support%20Products&Name=Amazing%20Remelt

Looks really good an cheap

Is it like http://www.composimold.com/index.php? It's okay issue is the heat creates a lot of bubbles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmPd_RO3RC8

That particular one (first) is an alginate based molding compound IIRC. Basically gelatin and something like propylene glycol. While you can use it for making molds - it is a bit soft for actual reuse when you have a lot of fine details. Composimold looks to be the same as well - though I haven't messed with that particular brand to know for certain.

If you are looking for something that is reusable and offers a bit more durability for casting, take a look at the vinyl based options (Gelflex for example). They can be reused several times before they loose their pliability. The downside is that they do need to be much hotter than alginate compounds, but they are much more durable and can be used for finer details without having to worry about the mold being ripped apart.

Another option are the polyester or polyethylene based putties like Friendly Plastic and Oyumaru (or Instant Mold if you are the type who likes to pay 10 times as much for the same product as someone else...). Depending on the formulation, they can be pretty soft when soft and pretty firm when firm.

None of those completely replace traditional molds though. I keep some of each on hand (except the alginates...they are really best suited for one off's...something that I normally don't cast). I use the putties for doing press molds, the reusable compounds for things like road tiles that don't need very fine detail and I use more conventional molds (RTV silicone or vulcanized rubber) for things that need more detail and might be used a few dozen times (figures and vehicles for example).

Composimold has a firmer option I've used it myself with good results. Again issue is getting it so you don't have bubbles on the master.

 Theduke07 wrote:
Composimold has a firmer option I've used it myself with good results. Again issue is getting it so you don't have bubbles on the master.

It is a bit of an issue...and a bit will depend on the nature of the master...but, the simple fix is to preheat the master. I usually will heat mine to 25 degree hotter than the melt temperature before getting ready to pour than checking its temperature with an IR thermometer. When it cools to the melt temperature - pour over it. This helps avoid having any "cold" air trapped under the hot melt and expanding as gases do when heated. If it is porous, seal it with something that can withstand the heat needed to melt your mold material.

There are still some issues to be aware of, but for when I am doing terrain casting - I generally use hot melt vinyl as opposed to RTV silicone. I can't quite bring myself to pay that much for a mold that I will probably only use a dozen or so times.