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I know the question has been asked an enormous number of times, but precisely for this reason I find an enormous number of answers...

So here is my question: I'm doing my own bases for my army, and since there are quite a lot of guys (around 130), I plan on focusing on around 10, maybe 12 bases, and then casting them.

Problem is, I've never casted before. I won't ask how to do it, I just would like some info about where to find casting materials? (basically, I need everything, I just moved in the country, so I don't have anything at home ^^) And what do I need exactly?

Bonus question, is it possible to flock before casting, or is it better to flock after? (They are trenches like bases, basically I'm making balsa planks, some half crates and/or sandbags, maybe hands or something, and then add mud everywhere (I love bases with a lot of stuff on it ))]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2485237.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2485237.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2485593.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2485593.page GMT
http://chicagoterrainfactory.wordpress.com/resin-casting/
http://chicagoterrainfactory.wordpress.com/2007/03/21/bases-making-an-rtv-mold/

I use Smooth-On for my Resin/RTV needs - if you buy the sample size it will run you about $70 total for the product you'll need. You may as well come up with a few extra projects - the sample size contains enough RTV for 4-5 molds and there is enough resin for hundreds of bases.

And no - its not possible to flock before casting. Any material in the mold cavity will be swallowed up by the resin.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2486148.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2486148.page GMT

Do you know if it's possible to keep the bases bottom hollow? I would like to magnetize them if possible]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2488619.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2488619.page GMT
You could try just putting the magnet into the mold when you pour the resin. Would be a little tricky because the magnet might move around during the pour. If you move quick, a tooth pick could push it back in place before the resin starts setting.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2488688.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2488688.page GMT
Two part pouring is your best bet for magnetizing. (pour a little bit, let it cure, place the magnet, then pour the rest).

The resin I use (smooth cast 300) is also soft for the first half hour after it sets, makes it easy to cut up whatever you have, could carve a hole for a magnet.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2488705.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2488705.page GMT http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2488744.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2488744.page GMT
I put a bit of texture on the base -- hopefully you can see I moulded the base with a tail and abdomen on it. The top half of the Termagants were easily chopped up and cemented on to the resin piece. I put a bit of sand on the finished bases.



The moulds were easy to make. Superglue the master sculpt to the bottom of a high density polythene plastic tub. Mix and pour the mould rubber on top. When the rubber is cured, you just pop the master sculpt out and use it for another mould. When you come to our the resin, the shape of the mould is already very well adapted to let the fluid flow in easily.

The resin I used was a very low viscosity type which you mix by weight. You need an electronic kitchen scales. If you weigh out 20g of each component, it is close enough to cure properly. This is 40g of mixed resin which did five moulds with a bit left over. Obviously the amount per mould will differ depending on your design.

The low viscosity resin pretty much eliminates air bubbles. It cures within 30 minutes, so you cast a lot of pieces quickly. You need to be organised about filling your moulds starts to cure after five minutes.

One piece moulds are much easier than two piece so they are worth doing if you can manage it.]]> http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2488817.page http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/preList/349167/2488817.page GMT