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Thanks Comrade.

The bath mould is ready.

Again, I've tested it with water and it appears to work. But won't know if the casts will work until I start pouring resin.

I've also poured the first half of the box mould, but the second half with have to wait until I'm ready to open the next bottle of silicone.
This does mean that I have a little left in the open bottle that wants using and then I'll need other things to warrant opening the next bottle... So, it looks like I'll be making more things sooner rather than later...

However, I don't think this should stop me from casting up the bathroom supplies first. Expect casting news soon...ish.


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And just to have both of the new moulds in one place, here's the sink mould again.

i got a sinking feeling everything will be cool in your next post. This has built up some of my internal suspense.

Looking, good, actually looking a lot more professional than my attempts at this. Eager to see these.

cormadepanda wrote:i got a sinking feeling everything will be cool in your next post. This has built up some of my internal suspense.

Thanks Comrade.
Not all good news I'm afraid...

My first cast didn't quite set properly, but showed that the moulds do work and just needed a bit of tweaking to give good casts.
The second cast didn't cure properly at all and I had to scoop and scrape the semi-solid goo out of the moulds.
The third cast cured fine, but due to the issues of the previous cast meant that some of the silicone of the moulds has been damaged. Some bits of the silicone can be seen here:


While the casts are now coming out fine, they have rough patches on them where the moulds are damaged. I can't really afford to scrap the moulds and make more (toilets, sinks and baths) and I hope people will forgive the extra sanding they will have to do on the products.

I'll show examples later of the more successful casts.

On the plus side, the moulds are working and everything is filling up, even the taps (they've actually been the most successful casts of the lot).
There's still a few bits that need changing in the new moulds. Leaks have been stopped, but the sinks in particular are giving me back-pressure issues (just need to add some more channels) and the bath accessories are occasionally trapping bubbles (modifying channels needed).

So bare with me as I fix the issues and build a stock of "good" casts.

Camkierhi wrote:Looking, good, actually looking a lot more professional than my attempts at this. Eager to see these.

Thanks Cam. You will get there eventually, with practice. Paying attention to how the air/resin flow through the moulds will give the professional look. Function leads to form in this case.

Good to hear the taps cast, they were my main concern.

Ugh. Sounds like the resin wasn't mixed fully, I hate it when that happens, best suggestion is to add properly mixed resin (you can work out the rest and why).

Old or useless moulds can be shred them up to add to fresh silicone as filler so you don't have to use as much next time, (yes it will bond perfectly)

With the large moulds try embedding some thick plasticard (say around 2.5mm should be just flexible enough for de-moulding) into the mould with liberal use of elastic bands to hold it together. you'll need less silicone to get the same support to get a giant thick mould like some people do with vastly less waste and its easier than encasing it in a shell like 'the pros' do.

 OneManNoodles wrote:
Good to hear the taps cast, they were my main concern.

Thanks. Yeah, I was expecting them not to work and having to do something with the mould, but I've only had 2 that haven't come out right. I've had much more miscasts of all the other components.

Ugh. Sounds like the resin wasn't mixed fully, I hate it when that happens, best suggestion is to add properly mixed resin (you can work out the rest and why).

It would be the most obvious reason. But I'm pretty sure it was mixed. I'm thinking it's because I was re-using the syringes I used last time and maybe a trace of the old resin components was interfering with the reaction. I've since been using new syringes and have had no problems.

That was what I expected of the cast after that to do, but not only did it remove the remaining traces of the un-cured resin, it removed parts of the silicone.
Luckily no more silicone has been pulled out, just on the first one. See below for the results of the casts after this.

Old or useless moulds can be shred them up to add to fresh silicone as filler so you don't have to use as much next time, (yes it will bond perfectly)

I did wonder if this was possible. I have been saving up the scraps of silicone from mould making for this, but was concerned that they would make weak spots in the moulds. Have you done this? Not had any problems?

With the large moulds try embedding some thick plasticard (say around 2.5mm should be just flexible enough for de-moulding) into the mould with liberal use of elastic bands to hold it together. you'll need less silicone to get the same support to get a giant thick mould like some people do with vastly less waste and its easier than encasing it in a shell like 'the pros' do.

This is my solution to keeping the mould halves together...

I've chopped up some thin chopping boards and then use elastic bands to hold it together.
I add elastic bands to stop leakage and I use the pens to minimise flash inside the mould.
You can also see that I don't make very thick moulds, tight-wad that I am...

Here's some pictures that show how the casts are coming out:
Top to bottom; Sinks with pedestals and spouts, More spouts and pedestals, the actual taps (I can't tell which ones are the ones that are half the escaped one, so looks like I got away with that).


And here; Hand-dryers (notice that, unlike some model companies that shall remain nameless, I placed the mould-line NOT over any detailed parts), Bath feet and tap parts (mixed results here with some bubble issues), toilets and then baths (the red arrows show where the moulds were damaged).


Thanks

All looking brilliant, I would certainly have no issue with cleanig these up a little. I think you are OK, no one expects perfection, even from the big companies.

Just let us know when we can order.

Well I want a set.
Soon as you have them ready links to selling site.
I've been wanting to get some more realism into my terrain for years.


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Also as a side note would love to see other items in a similar vein.

Metal stile desks, notice boards, lockers ect to go into admin buildings,

Industrial tools such as lathes, mills and the like for industrial buildings.

These kinds of details would realy bring ruins to life.

Camkierhi wrote:All looking brilliant, I would certainly have no issue with cleanig these up a little. I think you are OK, no one expects perfection, even from the big companies.

Just let us know when we can order.

Thanks Cam.
But I expect perfection, and that's what I aim for in my products...
It's just annoying that a little slip like that has meant all the hard work getting a smooth finish has been undone...
Still, perfection is only a piece of sandpaper away.

Firefash wrote:Well I want a set.
Soon as you have them ready links to selling site.
I've been wanting to get some more realism into my terrain for years.


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Also as a side note would love to see other items in a similar vein.

Metal stile desks, notice boards, lockers ect to go into admin buildings,

Industrial tools such as lathes, mills and the like for industrial buildings.

These kinds of details would realy bring ruins to life.

Thanks Firefash. Good to hear.
Shouldn't be too long and I'm sure to let you all know. Watch this space.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll add them to the list. More items will happen in time (and maybe quicker than last time, judging on the popularity).

Production is in full swing and the pile of successful casts is now bigger than the pile of mis-casts.
The modifications to the moulds appear to be working.

Also, my decision to use a slower curing resin appears to be good, as I have time to ensure that the mould is filled and can top-up any drop in the level before it cures. Just as messy though

Progress is slow though. So bare with me. Thanks.

Those casts look pretty good.

Metal desks may be quite hard the legs might have to be cast separately, lockers and notice boards are easy however. I would definitely go for industrial machinery.

 Dr H wrote:

It would be the most obvious reason. But I'm pretty sure it was mixed. I'm thinking it's because I was re-using the syringes I used last time and maybe a trace of the old resin components was interfering with the reaction. I've since been using new syringes and have had no problems.

Hydrolysis maybe.

That was what I expected of the cast after that to do, but not only did it remove the remaining traces of the un-cured resin, it removed parts of the silicone.
Luckily no more silicone has been pulled out, just on the first one. See below for the results of the casts after this.

ouch, using any mould releases? did it react with the silicone that you could tell?

I did wonder if this was possible. I have been saving up the scraps of silicone from mould making for this, but was concerned that they would make weak spots in the moulds. Have you done this? Not had any problems?

This is what I use http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polycraft-GP-3481-F-RTV-Silicone-Mould-Mold-Making-Rubber-Kit-Shore-A27-/221175561830 . I've not noticed any weakening if there is it's not , I chop the old moulds into bits around 0.25mL (not fun, friction and elasticity) and use it as an aggregate.
downsides are: increased chance of uneven upper surface and air bubbles trapped in the silicone. If you are not deairing under vacuum the lumps can obstruct trapped air bubbles percolating upwards

It may depend on what silicone you are using, its one of the 1:1 mixes correct? you can experiment with a few grams to test if you can do this, but you should be able to apply the uncured mix to pieces of the cured and it should set as though its one piece, I'm too tired to find this out but at a guess the uncured silicone breaks the inter molecular bonds between the polymer chains and the vulcanising compound made by the catalyst agent and it re-forms as it cures almost like a weld.
Like I said I haven't tested the material properties between joins but it seems good enough.

This is my solution to keeping the mould halves together...

I've chopped up some thin chopping boards and then use elastic bands to hold it together.
I add elastic bands to stop leakage and I use the pens to minimise flash inside the mould.
You can also see that I don't make very thick moulds, tight-wad that I am...

Looks fine by me We are both going through large numbers of elastic bands that is for sure. I was using plywood and G-clamps before.

 OneManNoodles wrote:
Those casts look pretty good.

Thanks OMN.

Hydrolysis maybe.

No doubt that it would have been the hydrolysis products left in the syringes. Although I thought that the syringes would have been clean enough (I gave them a clean out after finishing last time), but obviously not. Syringes are cheap anyway.

ouch, using any mould releases? did it react with the silicone that you could tell?

Only talc.
Not sure if it had actually reacted with the silicone, but obviously I couldn't get the talc under the stuck on parts. It could have just been that.

This is what I use http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polycraft-GP-3481-F-RTV-Silicone-Mould-Mold-Making-Rubber-Kit-Shore-A27-/221175561830 . I've not noticed any weakening if there is it's not , I chop the old moulds into bits around 0.25mL (not fun, friction and elasticity) and use it as an aggregate.
downsides are: increased chance of uneven upper surface and air bubbles trapped in the silicone. If you are not deairing under vacuum the lumps can obstruct trapped air bubbles percolating upwards

It may depend on what silicone you are using, its one of the 1:1 mixes correct? you can experiment with a few grams to test if you can do this, but you should be able to apply the uncured mix to pieces of the cured and it should set as though its one piece, I'm too tired to find this out but at a guess the uncured silicone breaks the inter molecular bonds between the polymer chains and the vulcanising compound made by the catalyst agent and it re-forms as it cures almost like a weld.
Like I said I haven't tested the material properties between joins but it seems good enough.

I see. No, no vacuum equipment.
I'm using Smooth-on Mold Star 30. Which is a Platinum-catalysed, addition cure silicone. As opposed to your condensation cure silicone. Whether that will make a difference, I don't know off the top of my head.

I'll give it a go next time I'm playing with the silicone.

Looks fine by me We are both going through large numbers of elastic bands that is for sure. I was using plywood and G-clamps before.

Yep.
Will this elastic band come off... yes.
Will this elastic band come off... *twang*... no.
I'll have to get some more soon at this rate...

Excellent releases Dr. Little sanding makes everyone like their models more. Though clamps might go better for the long haul. Environment an all. Maybe a pressure box! applies force on all sides of the mold uniformly. That be cool.

Thanks Comrade.

I have been busy building a stock and, while I'm still casting, I think I can start selling what I have and then I can modify my casting depending on demand.
I will have some cleaned up and assembled photos up when I get a chance to actually do this.

So, this is what I have for sale:
Toilets;

Tainted Toilet - £0.80 (each) / £2 (for 3) - 30 individual toilets available.
Tiny Toilet - £0.60 (each) / £1 (for 2) - 16 individual toilets available.

Sinks, Hand-dryers and Baths;

Soiled Sinks - £0.80 (each) / £2 (for 3) - 31 individual sinks available.
Hand-Dryers - £0.60 (each) / £1 (for 2) - 21 individual dryers available.
Blemished Baths - £1 (each) / £1.80 (for 2) - 17 individual baths available.

I've yet to think of a good name for the hand-dryers.

I'm also going to offer these in sets, so you can buy a complete bathroom in one go, either for a home or a public bathroom;
Small bathroom set (1x Tainted toilet, 1x Soiled Sink, and 1x Blemished Bath) - £2.30 (per set).
Large bathroom set (3x Tainted toilets, 3x Soiled Sinks, and 2x Hand-dryers) - £4.90 (per set).

I also still have my wooden boxes available;


Box 1 (medium) - £1.30 each - 18 available.
Box 2 (small) - £1.20 each - 15 available.
Box 3 (large) - £1.50 each - 15 available.

PM me here on DDakka if you are interested.
Payment (plus postage) by Paypal please.

Also also, Kranon the Relentless (that I painted earlier in this thread) is still available on ebay.

Looking brilliant, will be ordering as soon as spare cash. Can't believe chaos dude still live and kicking.

I've been watching him on ebay for a while now, but then again my traitor guard army has been sat on there for months now :(.

I need to work out how many bits I want, I'm definitely going to paint one of those tainted toilets bright gold and putting it on a plinth.

Camkierhi wrote:Looking brilliant, will be ordering as soon as spare cash. Can't believe chaos dude still live and kicking.

Thanks.
I'll send you the parts for the prize for your competition along with your order.

Yeah, Kranon is not feeling the love at the moment. Kranon is sad.

OneManNoodles wrote:I've been watching him on ebay for a while now, but then again my traitor guard army has been sat on there for months now :(.

Yeah, all my individual models seem to take ages to sell. Whereas the squads I've done have sold pretty quickly.
And Kranon is a very specific model for a very specific army build. Just waiting for the right person to find him.
Good luck with the army.

I need to work out how many bits I want, I'm definitely going to paint one of those tainted toilets bright gold and putting it on a plinth.

Sounds good to me.

Here's the assembled photo:

These were made from mis-casts and needed a little filling in places. but show what they look like together.

Those look great, nice kits indeed!

And, as usual, following the process from beginning to end was as enlightening as it was entertaining, thanks for that!

Best of luck with those sales!

Fantastic!

I'd like to order a couple of public restroom sets and a couple of home bathroom sets!


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You can PM me the details when you have a minute Doc

All that is needed now is a newspaper...

..C'mon I can't be the only one who 'Multi-tasks'

Looks really nice together. The tub is the best, IMHO.

Littletower wrote:Those look great, nice kits indeed!

And, as usual, following the process from beginning to end was as enlightening as it was entertaining, thanks for that!

Best of luck with those sales!

Thanks LT. Glad you enjoyed the show, it was a learning experience for us all.

dsteingass wrote:Fantastic!

I'd like to order a couple of public restroom sets and a couple of home bathroom sets!


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You can PM me the details when you have a minute Doc

Thanks Dave. Glad you approve.
PM on it's way shortly.

Red Harvest wrote:All that is needed now is a newspaper...

..C'mon I can't be the only one who 'Multi-tasks'

Well that's down to personal preference...

Looks really nice together. The tub is the best, IMHO.

Thanks. I'm pleased at how well the baths have turned out and relieved that they weren't as hard to make as I thought they would be after the toilets (which are still the most difficult item so far).

Thanks again people.

Had a break from casting today, but will be back on it again soon... work work work...

PM sent with small order.

Cheers

Ooh, shinies.

I um, may not have an immediate use for the bathroom items at the moment (or rather I do, but I have other crap to work on first), but expect an order from when I have monies coming my way. Heh, gimme a month till my uni loan turns up then I'll be silly again (...I promise no bath cars. Uh, unless I have one going spare).

Camkierhi wrote:PM sent with small order.

Cheers

Thanks again Cam.

Wyrmalla wrote:Ooh, shinies.

I um, may not have an immediate use for the bathroom items at the moment (or rather I do, but I have other crap to work on first), but expect an order from when I have monies coming my way. Heh, gimme a month till my uni loan turns up then I'll be silly again (...I promise no bath cars. Uh, unless I have one going spare).

Hooray for student loans (I drank the majority of mine away ).
Maybe I'll throw in an extra bath if you promise to make a bath-car out of it.

Got mine



Fantastic, very happy.

 Camkierhi wrote:
Got mine



Fantastic, very happy.

Good to hear, Cam.
Look forward to hearing how you find the kits.

And on that note, these are the instructions for the sinks and baths (for what use they may be) They are as self explanatory as possible:




Hopefully that is as clear as an un-muddied lake.

Well, I ran out of talc (more is in the post). So I decided to look at what I could do with the open silicone while I waited and discovered that I actually had more than I thought... more than enough to finish the mould for box 4. Always check your calculations twice, kids.

I now have a new mould ready for when the new talc arrives (should be tomorrow).


I have plenty of things to do when I've finished with this current casting bonanza, so expect some paint soon...ish.

OOOooo more boxes. I like boxes.

 Camkierhi wrote:
OOOooo more boxes. I like boxes.

So I've noticed, Cam.

The mould does work. I'm just trying to get it working well (where there isn't loads of flash and all the parts fill up without having the push loads of resin through the mould).

Here's one that did come out complete.


This box is slightly larger than the largest of the other boxes, but you would only notice if you placed them next to each other (or measured).
l / w / h = 26x26x33mm compared to 22x22x35mm

Thanks.

Mine arrived! I'm in-between 12-hour shifts atm, so I haven't had a chance to open and giggle yet.

 dsteingass wrote:
Mine arrived! I'm in-between 12-hour shifts atm, so I haven't had a chance to open and giggle yet.

Cool. Good to hear it arrived ok. I hope the wait will have been worthwhile to complete the bathroom set (all right, nearly complete. Urinals will happen, just leave a space for them). Really looking forward to seeing what you do with them.