How to cast Hirst Arts molds (Dungeon Tiles & Doors)

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In this tutorial (product overview?) we look at how to cast up Hirst Arts molds for our family Heroquest board. It covers the molds, casting powders, wet water technique to reduce air bubbles in your casting, scraping technique as well as covering common problems. .
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[@timhyatt9185]

I discovered these molds a few years ago....did a rustic cobblestone bridge for my father-in-law who loves the Warhammer fantasy game.....bought the egyptian set for myself as I was doing a lot of AD&D in a desert type campaign.... They're a LOT of work, but the results can be truly spectacular.... Kinda got away from doing it for a bit due to moving house and trying to get things settled....but I plan on making a stone tower dice roller once I get back to it again....

[@TheTerrainTutor]

It's terrain making lego bud

[@johnnycooper7019]

Dear Mel, Cracking tutorial. Bloody good drills. I'll check out Hirst Arts molds as I'm going to attempt a project for Star Wars Imperial Assault. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the tutorials especially the foam board techniques! Take Care Mate. Kind Regards Johnny

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Johnny Cooper Cheers bud, you'll love the hirst arts stuff ;-)

[@jameslavery2958]

Great vid man. I've been using the Hirst Arts molds for about 6 months now. I've found them to be a quick and easy method of producing excellent quality tiles. Again, great job on the tutorial. Thanks for giving.

[@JimKitchen]

I really appreciate your time and effort in making this. Very well done.

[@skepticpanda6245]

This was incredibly helpful. I'm just starting out making tiles for my gaming group, and this was great. Solid information, and a thorough explanation of all the steps. Thank you!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Brian Wetherby No worries mate, glad it helped ;-)

[@aislinnstewart-robinson8953]

Perfect time to come across this video, definitely something to put on my Christmas wish list!

[@wienskeet]

thx buddy! just got my first hirst molds and your book you've been such a help

[@fernandovanmaurik1053]

Thanks a lot for the "wet water" method. I was struggling with the small details while casting!

[@unkhter]

great tutorial, not only the how-to, but also the what not to do and what to avoids, thx :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

unkhter No worries matey ;-)

[@oliverkemp7747]

Thanks brother! Found your youtube on the old Inn! :) I just ordered my first hirstarts floortile mold! Your video is very helpful, cant wait to start casting, I wanna build a Heroquest board too! All the best, Olli (weltenlaeufer)

[@crashpilot5006]

Good video, I was strugling with the scraping. Not how to scrape but when to scrape, but this realy helped a lot. Perfect blocks every time!

[@marktaylor4674]

Nice video. I have a job were I have spent nearly 40 years mixing gallons of plaster dozens of times a day, so I'm lucky enough on occasion to sneak a mould or two in and cast them for free without anyone knowing lol. I pretty much follow the same steps as you with a slight difference on the wet water. We mix it up in small garden hand sprayers and squirt it into all the moulds. After spraying, I turn the mould over and give it a couple of taps on the glass to get rid of the excess. It seems to do the trick 99% of the time without wasting all that time with the brush.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

mark taylor oh, thanks for the tip mate, I can see how that would save the brush time, definitely going to give that a try. Cheers buddy!

[@marktaylor4674]

TheTerrainTutor Hope it works out for you mate, different plasters might make a difference. Also, try taping the moulds instead of banging the table to bring the air out. It is much more effective, I find. also it helps to wet the glass under the mould, You don't want so much it is swimming in it, but a little so as you tap the mould it moves about slightly. Seems to work for me. Good luck with your casting mate.

[@rikhorror]

Very, very interesting. I'm willing to buy some kind of board for super dungeon explore, thanks to your tutorial I may consider to cast one myself. Thanks, great !

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Rik Ice Awesome sauce matey :-)

[@barongrim6836]

Sir, thank you for these videos.

[@santiagovillarreal9367]

Ever thought of using a baking sifter for adding powder to water to avoid clumps? I was watching the video and that just popped into my head.

[@Draltair0]

Awesome work, If I ever get some molds of my own I'll have to give this video another watch.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Thanks mate :-)

[@knightwatchgames]

We love this hobby. Good video!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Knight Watch Games LLC Thanks

[@daveeol1987]

Great tutorial loads of little bits of valuable info

[@aaronbono4688]

Hirst talks about making a vibrating table with a piece of wood, a sponge, duct tape and a back massager/vibrator.

[@HiveMind3006]

Really enjoyed this video- I have already bit off more than I can chew what with a fantasy army, 40k army and my terrain builds but I will definitely be looking to get some molds in the not so distant future. Thanks for the upload :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

shirlzknight No need to explain, I'm the worst for multiple projects. Anyway, when you do, you'll love them!

[@antiquariancrafts2454]

Great video. I use a home-made version of this where I sculpt elements out of plasticine, then mould them in liquid latex and cast them in plaster or PVA glue.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Stay Dread I'd avoid the pva for casting mate, it shrinks way too much ;-)

[@codemanweaver]

Im dieing from laughter when you started beating the table HAHAHAHA made my night especially since I have been in a shitty mood/headspace!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Glad it brought a smile to your face bud

[@Adol666]

Awesome! Thanks for this

[@alexwilliams6022]

awesome tutorial mate, going to have to give them a go! cheers

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Alex Williams Do it!

[@barretmusselman9977]

The off casts are also great for making rubble piles or just damaged stuff in general.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Barret Musselman Never thought of that, I'll have to reconsider what I do with my off casts from this point forward.

[@Adaminski41]

nice stuff matey, that dungeon is going to look amazing. Looking forward to seeing how you make a Dice tower too. :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Adaminski41 Thanks matey, it's coming along nicely, hopefully an update soon.

[@pblackcrow]

A syringe works well for the smaller stuff, like the mugs, and stuff, because it lets you get into the corners . And I do mine in a glass baking dishes where I can bounce them around on knees and legs and shake them a bit to get the air bubbles out. WORKS REALLY WELL.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Shannon Stokely Like the idea of pirex bowls for casting in. I've used a syringe for resin injecting but never plaster, how do you find it works with quick curing plasters?

[@pblackcrow]

Works well for it. But you will want to do it rather quickly.

[@IDICBeer]

Interesting to see thanks Mel

[@TheTerrainTutor]

***** thanks matey

[@muricanblubber]

really looking forward to pt3 of your modular trench.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Out 7.30pm UK time today mate

[@SmittyM14]

I'll be jumping in the dungeon crawler gaming with the Dungeon Saga Kickstarter. This video was really helpful for the thought of making my own tiles. I also think the cobblestone tiles would work well for roads for my Bolt Action games with some modifications for the height of them or if I ever get around to doing terrain tiles.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

SmittyM14 I'm in on that kickstarter as well mate. I think they might me too regular for cobblestone roads, have you considered embossed wall paper?

[@SmittyM14]

No I haven't. I'll have to check it out and see. Thanks for the idea.

[@analeigholdeworlde4178]

TheTerrainTutor good idea!

[@granttrain3553]

This video has Helped me SO much! the link to the plaster shop stopped me getting ripped off on ebay. And the how to, is playing every time i cast to make sure I dont get distracted.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Grant Train Awesome mate

[@davidmartin1793]

Hi Mel, just ordered up a copy of hero quest for myself and the little man to play when he gets a bit older. Hope you do more of these videos. Any chance you can give me some ideas what moulds to start off with. As he's only 3 this is long term project, cheers :-)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

David Martin Fieldstone floors and walls mate, that's what I started with :-)

[@davidmartin1793]

Cheers Mel

[@HaggisLite]

I thought Advanced Heroquest was discontinued a few years ago. I used to love playing that game and it's a great entry level game for the sceptics : ). Great video as always.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

HaggisLite AHQ was discontinued a fair few years ago but I got mine from ebay. Thanks buddy!

[@HaggisLite]

Ah thats what I thought. I did see one on ebay for about £75...bit of a spicy meatball that! Might just have to stick to Risk or Axis & Allies.

[@johnbrogan1467]

with a spray bottle of wet water, spray the glass table makes it easier to clean up when the plaster cures

[@GrukhH]

"Personal massager" - Epic.

[@KOTEC525]

Excellent video!! Your video convinced me to buy some Hirst molds soon. I just have to decide on what type of material to use for the pour (I'm more partial to resin because of it's strength). One question though, can you use these molds to make pieces (like floor tiles) that aren't as thick as the molds, i.e. thinner floor tiles?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Amerodude Resin would be better than casting powered to be honest. Unfortunately, all the floor tile molds are standardised at 1/4 of an inch mate.

[@StormtrooperTK4849]

Looking forward to following this! What is the usual working time you spend between mixing and pouring? As someone from the UK I might go for the same plaster you use but I'd love to hear your work time for speed? Thanks for this, great to see some new Hirst Arts stuff going up.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

StormtrooperTK4849 With Crystical, the working time is around 2 minutes, after that you start to get pouring/filling problems. Generally it's enough time to pour four or five molds mate, just start with the fine detail ones and end with chunky blocks and tiles. Hope that helps.

[@StormtrooperTK4849]

It really does. Thanks man. How often should I expect these videos? Looking forward to this series!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Say once every couple of weeks mate, it's a sideline hobby project

[@RobertSzasz]

have you tried spraying the wetting agent in to avoid having to do the fiddly bubble removal?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Robert Szasz I've got some, just haven't done any casting in ages mate

[@royalfolkspark]

I heard ......about (sand-less) grout being used from the big box store. Have you tried that yet ?

[@420StonerShot]

hey Mel I noticed a fellow mentioning a few other plasters below, I was just curious as to if you still use Crystalcal R or if you've found another you prefer?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Nope, still rocking the crystacal R matey

[@420StonerShot]

TheTerrainTutor right on, thanks a bunch mang!

[@TheWitherKing]

This was very helpful as someone who is living in England and couldn't manage to find any other British people teaching how to cast hirst arts molds. I've purchased some molds already and was wondering where did you get the plaster that you are using? I was looking into getting Herculite No.2

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I started with Herculite but a builder friend put me onto Crystical R. I get it from my local builders merchants.

[@Stormx2233]

www.specialplasters.co.uk/ This is the best place I have found in the UK to get Crystalcal R from. I use it all the time for the buildings I make and you cant go wrong, if you need any help mate drop me an email always happy to help out.

[@shadowtiger6956]

you can always run them over a bit of sand paper to flatten them down abit

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yep, that works bud

[@printrun5]

Oh jeez...i finally decided to get some mold(s). But looking on your vid i think casting all the bricks i need is gonna take ages :-/ ph well..have to come up with some idea how to make it faster. Great vids for sure!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+printrun5 To be honest, I find i can knock out a fair amount of bricks in a casting session once you get the hang of it

[@SyrusCole]

+printrun5 I agree with this, i have made some large buildings using these molds and as you get the hang of it you get a good number of bricks quite fast. Its all about setting up properly and casting some when ever you have a spare 15mins (depending on how many molds you cast).

[@timhyatt9185]

it takes a bit to make enough pieces to do a building....particularly the larger ones. I suggest getting several fishing spincaster-lure cases so you can "sort" your pieces once their fully dry.....

[@icewolffinc]

Great video again, i also use some of hisart molds ( only have 4) they are top, best one out there, also make my own molds. almost all my stuff i make out of resin instead of plaster, because it will be rockhard, but downfall resin is not cheap. If your in for a trade, some of my resin cast for some of yours plaster cast, i am happy to ship some to you from holland, so cost are liky 5 pounds, i have a very nice fireplace with pig roasting, alestorage etc for your board

[@TheTerrainTutor]

icewolffinc I'm sure we could work something out, email me at theterraintutor @ gmail mate

[@thegeneraltank]

Awesome video mate very impressed :) one quick question is it easy to clean the molds? and one more lol how would you glue them together? thanks for video mate what would we do without you aye :)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

thegeneraltank Really easy mate, takes less than 1 minute under running cold water to clean them using your bare hands. Hope that helps ;-)

[@thegeneraltank]

Great thanks mate :)

[@captaintripps2158]

have you experimented with adding pigments to the plaster?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

a little but haven't done any serious casting in ages mate

[@Khether0001]

what would happen if you didn't apply wet water, but instead poured the plaster directly on the silicone mold, and carefully inserted the brush on it and brushed the inside while submerged on the plaster? (not sure of I made myself clear) but this is a technique I saw professional casters (including manufacturers) use on some types of mold castings

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Certainly doable but you'd need a longer curing plaster, crystal cures to quick for that technique

[@timhyatt9185]

you have to mix your plaster VERY thin, and the biggest problem is you can't "see" where the bubbles are...you're guessing and poking.....

[@simon9264]

do you get your moulds direct from hirst or is there a uk reseller?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

hirstarts.co.uk mate

[@toecutter169]

Great video! Definitely planning to get some Hirst stuff for gaming. Have you tried doing the resin mold trick of dusting the molds with talcum powder? That is supposed to work a treat for resin, and some resin bits I've bought definitely have smelled of talc.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Frank McKinney The only thing that I know that you use talc for is covering the molds before storage to stop the silcone sticking. how is it used in casting?

[@toecutter169]

TheTerrainTutor Basically just dust the silicone mold with the talc - not in clumps or piles, just shake it on and tip the mold out to get rid of excess. Then pour in as normal and the tiny particles help pull the resin into the furthest recesses and also absorb moisture. This should have the same effect with the plaster mix. I've got some crystacal r on the way (watched your video hangout with the other WGC guys and your bit was super informative!) and hope to get some of the Hirst molds soon but in the meantime will try molding and casting up my own stuff so I'll give various techniques a try. Since you can wash the plaster off brushes I may also try brushing the plaster into the mold for the first layer, then pour in...not sure how that will work though!

[@Bleentron]

I started up with casting a few weeks ago, and one of the most conflicting bits of information I've come across is whether or not to beat the water out of just rinsed moulds. For me, every time I've done that, it's simply reintroduced air bubbles to where they've been cleaned from (the usual places they sneak into on a mould). Yet for others it works great. Any ideas as to why?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Bleentron I've never bothered beating the water out mate, I actually find it I get better results by leaving it in. Not sure why though

[@BurningSky93]

I had no idea it was so cheap to do this (excepting the molds of course, but that's a one time cost for something that can produce lots of tiles)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

It's not prohibitively expensive, we started out with just a basic brick and tile mold and then just grew from there.

[@BurningSky93]

I use a whiteboard grid for my tabletop RPGs but if I had enough disposable income I'd definitely consider making a set of tiles for dungeon crawls. They're so much nicer.

[@pblackcrow]

I use Merlin's Magic plaster. It's great.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Shannon Stokely I've heard that mentioned quite a bit of the various forums, unfortunately, it's way too costly in the UK

[@pblackcrow]

Point...I can bring you a bag when I come back next year.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Shannon Stokely Excellent, I'd love to give it a go, drop me a line when the time gets closer :-)

[@elisabuonadonna2885]

to cast the pieces which is the best material between resin and plaster? because i am afraid of easily damaging the tiles if i use the plaster.. Great video btw!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Use crystacal, you'll need a hammer to damage them mate

[@elisabuonadonna2885]

that sounds nice

[@timhyatt9185]

just stay away from the "craft"-grade plasters. you can strengthen all plasters up a bit if you use a fiber filler intended for resin work, but that's a serious mess, and it's a chopped fiberglass product so there's a serious irritation factor there. Better to spend a bit more to get the high grade plasters like hydrocal or something similar....follow what he's done here, particularly the advice about when to scrape for flatness and not be heavy-handed about it, and you should do fine...

[@jayandrewryan]

Great tutorial. How are you gluing them to MDF? Everyone does it different.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Jay Ryan I use pva for gluing them down mate

[@jayandrewryan]

great, thanks!

[@windman68]

Is there some kind of agent to use that would prevent it from accidentally breaking? A top coat or maybe a different kind of "plaster"

[@TheTerrainTutor]

I usually varnish mine mate

[@davesharrock5212]

On the larger tiles I use coke can ring pulls as mini rebar. Line the mold with watered down plaster then put in rebar then the rest of the plaster on top.

[@timhyatt9185]

i've seen people use the "paint-on" resins used for boat repair....but you'll also lose some detail with that.....

[@meyogy2414]

Acrylic resin?

[@mr0shag]

Would you mind doing a tutorial about how to make a building with the brick molds and if its worth doing or should someone making sat making walls make use a different method.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Ethan Grindal It's on the list, just need to find time to get it done matey

[@mr0shag]

Wonderful, im looking forward to seeing it and all other tutorials to come :D

[@sbschuppel8552]

Nice video instruction....but how, or where would I find some molds like that ?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

search for hirst arts molds

[@a7_for_real881]

where do you get the moulds from mel

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Alfie Bacon search google for hirst arts bud

[@barryjames7020]

New to this , what is the reson for not using cement, white or grey?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Bit too coarse for our level of detail mate

[@titanterrainstudio]

Lots of good advice here. Is it bad my favorite part was the point where you poured too much into the mold & yelled a bit? lol

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Titan Terrain Studio Not at all mate, it's mine too. Glad it helped you with your casting problems.

[@joegans4022]

How do u clean ur molds after use? Thanks! :o]

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+Joe Gans soapy water mate

[@rachaelt3294]

Don't put down the drain...

[@hex4147]

Ah yes do love me some Crystal Cow Arm

[@Snoopy16mh]

Do you use 1 inch or 1.5 inch tiles with 28mm figures?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

1 inch mate

[@Snoopy16mh]

thank you!

[@nagwaalsoda5305]

if you please what is the powdered material?thanks

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Crystacal R mate

[@DungeonmasterMark]

it actually works better if you add a drop of jet dry( water sufficant) to you you water you use for casting...

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Flow aid into the actual mix, now that makes sense, I'll give it a go mate. thanks for the heads up.

[@titanterrainstudio]

TheTerrainTutor I'll be trying this tonight with my castings & will let you know how it turns out :)

[@garfieldwithissuez]

TheTerrainTutor Hey Mel thanks for making this video... Now I have to go spend more money on a new part of the hobby. =P I'll be picking these up and casting 3D boards for the new Mantic Dungeon crawl game. We'll be playing the Alpha rules for the next year till we get our kickstarter packages, and I think we're going to be using Bones miniatures as they are super cheap (at least here in Texas).

[@trackspike64]

what kind of plaster do you use

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+trackspike64 Crystical mate

[@raffaelepassarelli6444]

Have you ever tried dental plaster?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Raffaele Passarelli Actually no, never had the chance to use it mate

[@radeadcool]

First Hi! Second how does one make a vacuum chamber? I dont want to use them for hirst mod but my one parts i make but i can not find a good how to video.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Film Monk Productions Hi mate, sorry, can't help you as I've never used one, have you tried checking the Hirst Arts forums?

[@radeadcool]

TheTerrainTutor Was looking for Videos. so far i can't find one.

[@dykester83]

Could you provide the spelling of the industrial molding powder you used?

[@dykester83]

Thanks Mel!

[@MrTimothyClaypole]

Dwarven Forge only sell pre-made pieces, no molds I'm afraid. :-)

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Really, I'd seen the pieces and always assumed they did molds, bit gutted now :-/ Thanks for the heads up though mate

[@josephseth4156]

Where can i buy these moulds in the uk

[@TheTerrainTutor]

joseph seth ebay or www.hirst-arts.co.uk/ mate :-)

[@josephseth4156]

TheTerrainTutor thanks :)

[@01136428]

This method would be quicker and more detailed than the average 3D printer?

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Yes

[@PhuVet]

is this alginate? or is it something more durable? I made my Vac Chamber from a pressure cooker and at vac pump, both used, the cooker I found for $4, the pump was $10 it works great for casting. I'm trying to find brick and rock molds, I'm doing a 28mm diorama.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Nope RTV Silicone mate

[@AdrianKramarzyk]

Hi! Its good stuff but useful only for big build, Cant see it buying for one diorama or bases.

[@TheTerrainTutor]

Don't rule it out mate, the resale value of the molds is really high, so much so that I'm considering buying some of the special molds, castings a shedload and then reselling them. I reckon I'll lose about £5 per mold factoring in initial purchase. So essentially, I'll be renting them for £5 per piece ;-)

[@Stormx2233]

What ya do is find a friend who will make them for you ;)

[@blaidddrwg-ye9dy]

You forgot the link!

[@TheTerrainTutor]

In the description or the comments mate

[@blaidddrwg-ye9dy]

TheTerrainTutor i might be blind, but i haven't seen it, was commenting as a reminder, love these tiles myself. Not a "troll" just a concerned nerd feom across the pond! Love the vids!

[@chriswilliams9832]

Why builders merchants do 25kg bag for that price. I just got caught on ebay for £21 for a 25kg bag

[@codedecode878]

4 words: 3 mil plastic sheeting

[@TheTerrainTutor]

+codedecode Yep, that's work

[@icedgems6651]

what is the plaster called please?

[@alangee2200]

Dude, I love you videos BUT you gotta stop saying "What ja call it" !!! I think it's just a nervous thing because it's not in context to anything. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr :) LOL LOL