-It’s The Mold SHAPE That Matters!

The shape of a mold has a big affect on how well the parting lines close. Nice, tight parting lines make nice clean castings. It’s worth the effort to design the shape carefully.
Thanks to Al Evans for sculpting the Tiki necklace and allowing me to do it as a channel project.
Check him out at Tikimania.com, CrazyAlEvans on KZbin or follow crazyaltikis on Instagram.
Here is a list of my materials and suppliers.
These are not affiliate links; I make no money from any of these companies. They are the materials I use in my projects.
www.dropbox.co...
Do you have a project to suggest for the channel?
Here’s a .pdf with everything you need to know:
www.dropbox.co...
SKIP AHEAD TO THE GOOD PARTS!
00.00 Making a production mold.
00.46 Designing a mold strategy.
01:25 Sanding the model bases flat.
01:50 Orienting the models in the mold case.
04:33 Designing the mold shape to close the parting lines properly.
04:55 Building the mold case.
07:20 Paint potential problem areas of the models with rubber prior to pouring.
09:02 Mounting the models in the case.
10:05 Assembling the mold case.
11:46 Pouring the rubber.
13.06 Adding rubber chunkies to help fill the mold.
15:57 Removing the cured mold from the case.
17:49 Trimming the flashing from the rubber mold.
18:02 Cutting open the mold.
20:45 Fitting the rubber bands.
23:00 Thanks for watching.

[@jr-a-cat]

Ever little cent saved adds up to dollars .Thanks for sharing your knowledge in a fun and entertaining way

[@somemean-side2202]

I love they way you work, thank you so much for doing these videos they are the best part of my week

[@lfts2010]

Agreed, very methodical and informative, never seen anything like it, thank you Robert!

[@RobertTolone]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@RobertTolone]

I appreciate hearing from you!

[@mattisland]

I personally love the whole process Rob, I dont mind longer videos. It's just amazing watching you work, and hearing you talk about your craft with such passion !

[@RobertTolone]

Thanks Matt!

[@annekabrimhall1059]

I like the whole process but I appreciate when some of the tedious steps are sped up.

[@RobertTolone]

@@annekabrimhall1059 I find myself fast forwarding through lots of KZbin videos so I tend to want to speed up parts of mine as well.

[@dzzywibble7318]

I love the fact that the whole process is a work of art. A real pleasure to watch. Looking forward to more.

[@RobertTolone]

Thanks for watching Dzzy!

[@shaunavconnelly9022]

Love the Easter Egg on the peg board❤️

[@diaqon92]

Your videos are great! I would actually be very interested in seeing more of your process of making the mold cases and the “little things” here and there that you throw together. Keep up the great content!

[@RobertTolone]

I will show more of the construction in future videos. Thanks.

[@emmabaylis578]

The tune played when he sands them is something that has made me smile today

[@RobertTolone]

I’m so happy you noticed the little scale I played!

[@nathanielrobles3284]

Really love how you share your knowledge for others to learn and lessen their mistakes and not just keeping your experience to yourself. Your a good man. Thank you

[@RobertTolone]

Thanks Nathaniel!

[@Nanitro57]

Thank you Mr. Robert !!

[@robblatt9120]

Don’t fear the longer videos! Love to see the process.

[@RobertTolone]

Will do! Thanks.

[@Defeshh]

Its lovely to see a master doing his craft. You're very articulate and clear, thank you very much for these videos, they're invaluable.

[@RobertTolone]

Thanks for watching and for the very nice comment!

[@modelmakerz0690]

I am glad you have tackled this area of fabricating. Moldmaking is to me the fun part of making things. I would like to have heard you articulate what you are actually thinking and why you are making the decisions you are making when you were cutting the patterns out of the rubber. Also, it would be nice to see you pull a test shot, so you can comment on how well or bad it went and what you might do differently or how you react to the models you got from the mold. I know you didn't get your resin, but just one test shot with any leftover resin from previous jobs, would really complete the process. Thanks

[@RobertTolone]

I do all of the things you mentioned in many of my videos. Start with this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnfWg6CLg9Wipac and watch the following 3 videos. Thanks!

[@darrelsomoza2927]

Bob, you could paint a temporary white line to follow on the pieces.

[@RobertTolone]

Yes, you could. I have experimented with markers and other pens; some of them will leave a line on the mold rubber. Nowadays I just don’t bother. If a particular model requires a very complex cut I take pictures of it from all different angles before I put it in the mold. That’s usually enough to remind me where to cut.

[@roger.agburn]

I don't know why, but I somehow enjoy the tiki unmolding the most. ^_^ Nice video!

[@jerthemaker]

"Small mass cures last" Words of wisdom!

[@brandonverge547]

can't wait for the next episode :)

[@RobertTolone]

Unless I’ve been institutionalized it should be out next Friday 🤞🤞🤞🤪 !

[@katevandeweghel2691]

it's probably because you're on on fridays and i now put you on on the tv, but my hubby from the kitchen wondered what 'party lines' were .... 😁. thank you for another video !

[@RobertTolone]

Siri always thinks it’s party lines. Drives me crazy. I thought she was supposed to learn over time. 😳😭

[@rotten_comics]

Great video as always thanks for sharing the knowledge!

[@jordanhindes769]

Can you do a video how to make sticky wax and what it is. I’m from the Uk and have no idea what it is ?? Thanks keep the videos coming loving them :)

[@RobertTolone]

i’m not sure if they ship worldwide, but I get it from www.freemanwax.com. It’s branded Ferris Sticky wax.

[@Als3dpbodega]

The Toblerone, I mean Tolone bar in the background has me thinking. Can you cast chocolate with the same methods you use?

[@garywheeler7039]

The difficulty with chocolate is that different parts of chocolate melt at different temperatures. Maybe others can elaborate on this. There are some complications in getting it right.

[@RobertTolone]

Chocolate is an art all by itself. My daughter is a pastry chef and she spent years mastering chocolate. So you can cast it, but the methods are specific to chocolate.

[@annekabrimhall1059]

@@garywheeler7039 you would need to make sure rubber silicone is food grade when cured and does not heat up during casting. I make original molds for soapmaking but for chocolate and royal icing I purchase the molds.

[@jerthemaker]

Sir, Thank you for this... I have made a couple of molds and finding your "waxing" techniques have made me want to get into this so much more... making the molds was always the most tedious part of the process, but I think this technique will make it so much more doable. It would be amazing to know the story behind exactly what got you into mold making. I know you have given bits and pieces of the story, but I think the whole story would be fascinating. Thank you for the amazing content.

[@RobertTolone]

The friend of mine who first hired me to make toy prototypes has a youtube channel and he did an interview with me about my career. It's short and therefore not too painful to watch! 😀 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3XLmn6ij9l3iM0

[@adamrichardson2227]

I did a 3d print of a mold I made for using with silicone. I ended up using vice grips on it to keep it nice and tight. It turned out amazing first try. IDK about you, since you already have a lot of knowledge about doing it this way, but for me using a 3d printer and making a mold in Blender worked amazingly. Barely any parting line in silicone...perfect silicone plumbus (yeah I am a nerd).

[@RobertTolone]

I am very excited to incorporate 3d printing into my process for mold making. Glad it worked for you on the first try.

[@treblam1]

Wow! Great Video!

[@djpalpro]

This is awesome Chanel ✌🏻🤩 greetings from finland 🥳

[@Jerry-67]

another great video teaching lesson- Thank you sir!

[@levinebette15]

🤞can’t wait til Clear resin comes in! But I always love a tiki cast!

[@RobertTolone]

I know! Where’s my resin 😳 😳 ? It’s taking forever to get here.

[@BrianFowlie]

Again! You are a champ for sharing these methods. Why did you stay from making it a 2 part mold? I enjoy every episode! I look forward to seeing the use of your tools and the setups. (Inverted Jigsaw and and sander) im not much a carpenter myself so thinking efficiency and a comfortable working area helps me greatly! Any possible future vids on utilizing and creating a funtional space would be awesome. Do you have a bio or merch?

[@RobertTolone]

I pretty much always avoid two-part molds. They are too tedious, too labor-intensive, and don’t give as good a result as a cut mold. I don’t have merch but here’s a link to a short biography: www.dropbox.com/s/6trybx1sn52l37o/Robert%20Tolone%20Biography.pdf?dl=0

[@Gwynevation]

Personally I would love to see how you figure out how to construct a mold box, since so much of the finished product depends on the front half on the labor. (If that makes sense). Thank you for posting these great videos!

[@RobertTolone]

That seems to be the consensus. No problem I will do more mold box-building carpentry in future videos.

[@Sonic_Ox]

Thank you Bob. I've been watching your videos and using your tips and tricks. My first attempt at pistol grips came out great! Thanks for the knowledge and for top shelf content and videography.

[@RobertTolone]

Glad to hear the videos helped you on a project!

[@supergiantbubbles]

This is some really great insight. I appreciate the time and care you took to make and share this. Thank you very much.

[@RobertTolone]

I appreciate it Dustin!

[@jasonrobinson252]

More great content. I’m fascinated by gang molds!

[@RobertTolone]

Thanks Jason!

[@longstrandna1]

Genius! never thought of brushing on a thin skin of rubber to avoid bubbles. Thankyou. :-)

[@RobertTolone]

It is really useful in difficult areas of a mold, like an open mouth or ear canals. Any place that will be very difficult to get the rubber to flow into. Pre-painting the molds with rubber really solves so many problems.

[@SoloRenegade]

You're very creative with your molds. I do think people would appreciate seeing some of your thought process, and types of materials you utilize. I get that it requires a degree of creativity and trial and error to figure out each particular mold for a given project, and people need to learn how to solve these problems on their own. But I would very much like to hear what sort of materials you find handy for different molds shapes and challenges. You seem to use all sorts of materials. Is it just what you have lying around, or do you keep certain materials on-hand? How do you decide if you should use cardboard, or wood, or some other material? Or is it just sort of random, using what feels right at the moment. Or are certain materials and methods best for certain setups? It seems you might salvage some of you mold materials, if so what tips might you have for finding and identifying materials that are useful to collect for making molds?

[@RobertTolone]

I almost always just use wood and plywood waxed with beeswax for my mold cases. But on my channel I’m trying to be more experimental than I am in my studio. Trying to show lots of different ways of doing the same thing. I do scrounge and hoard materials. Almost everything you see me build is from free materials that I have scrounged from the neighborhood dumpsters and alleys. Construction dumpsters rule!

[@KristonAbbott]

I like the way you use the “waste” rubber. I’ve started cutting all my old unused moulds into croutons and use it to fill the voids in my new moulds. I’d never seen it done, but as I’ve now seen the master do it, I’ll continue. Nice work sir.

[@RobertTolone]

It works great if you’re careful not to trap air when you push them in. I try not to put them too close to the model. It’s pretty easy to do successfully.

[@marcsenteney3160]

I a, new to your channel here. But I am glad to have found it! Very educational thank you sir.

[@RobertTolone]

Welcome, Marc, glad you found the channel!

[@vivresansregrets1352]

Your tutorials are awesome... Would love to see a video on how to make a mold for a box... 14×14 box with a lid

[@RobertTolone]

That would be a very complex project. Presumably the only reason you’re casting the box is that it is ornately carved. And if you had ornate carving on most of the surfaces you would have many places that could catch bubbles. It would be an interesting challenge indeed.

[@vivresansregrets1352]

It would be interesting... I have a chessboard game and no box to store it in... I found a domino box mold on Amazon but could not find something for a chessboard.. Would love to be able to make one.

[@ayezel6344]

thnx for the video, always learn a lot

[@Bunyip_Studios]

Hi Robert, another helpful video, thanks. I was wondering, would a translucent/clear silicone not help with the cutting?

[@RobertTolone]

Some people insist on clear silicone for cut molds. I should probably do a video on that. But I also want to encourage people to use even the cheap economical grades of silicone rubber to make cut molds. Getting over the fear of ruining a mold is the hard part.

[@alexanderray8183]

Been making molds for 10 years and I’m still getting some great tips. What silicone do you use? Mold max 30 has always been my default for most things. Thank you for the vids!

[@RobertTolone]

Here is a list of my materials and suppliers. These are not affiliate links; I don’t make money from any of these companies. They are the materials I use in my projects. www.dropbox.com/s/kz6mhmf7v5vpy7l/Material%20and%20Suppliers.pdf?dl=0

[@koroshghanbarzadeh1360]

Hi Robert. Can you explore possible ways to use resin injection instead of pouring? and if that helps a bubble-free cast or not or helps the cast in any way, thanks!

[@RobertTolone]

I never use injection techniques and always rely on gravity-based mold designs. So I have no experience with injecting resin. Over the years I have cast thousands of objects of all sizes and shapes without the need for injection.

[@flytrapjohn]

Liked the smash button.

[@RobertTolone]

Gotta love the smash button!

[@Yo-Da-Action]

I personally would like to see a video on how the forms are made.

[@RobertTolone]

Most comments agree, so I will do it in future videos. If somebody gets bored they can always fast forward!

[@crain43]

Hi Robert! I love you videos. Im geeting into silicon molding for my first time. I see that you use a lot of wax. Where do you get them ? any idea in amazon ? I would really appreciate it. Great videos!

[@RobertTolone]

Here is a list of my materials and suppliers. Includes my wax suppliers. These are not affiliate links; I don’t make money from any of these companies. They are the materials I use in my projects. www.dropbox.com/s/kz6mhmf7v5vpy7l/Material%20and%20Suppliers.pdf?dl=0

[@crain43]

@@RobertTolone thanks Robert!! I really appreciate it! I can't wait for the next video

[@coffeecupblue]

I learned about sticky wax through your vids. I've looked around and found it online, in different forms at different prices, so am wondering where you get yours, if you don't mid sharing? And thanks for all this, it's great.

[@RobertTolone]

It’s Ferris sticky wax from www.freemanwax.com.

[@coffeecupblue]

@@RobertTolone Thanks a lot!

[@jonnymiskatonic]

Hey Robert, I know you're taking a break for now, but I have a car part I'm looking to cast, or have cast. A lens to be more specific. I was wondering how one would reach out to you to pick your brain on this type of stuff.

[@RobertTolone]

Reach me at [e-mail]

[@wollibar5263]

Show Time once again;- great video with lots of first rate information. Forgive me for asking but I just don´t get it. Why didn´t you sand down the pouring funnel until you got the masters in a vertical upright position. If the angle gets too steep for the available space of the pour funnel you could still straighten it up - prolonging it - with perhaps, oil based clay or kneadable beeswax ?

[@RobertTolone]

Yes, I could have modified the funnels. But then this production molding job would have been very similar to the ones I have done previously on the channel. I am constantly looking opportunities to do things in different ways to demonstrate different methods to the viewers.

[@wollibar5263]

@@RobertTolone ok I see, thank you for your answer. Looking forward to the episode. Regards

[@owenridgway8049]

What would you say the best mold and resin are as far as getting the most amount for your dollar?

[@RobertTolone]

I have not comparison-shopped resins and rubber so I’m not really qualified to answer you. As a general rule the bigger the amount you buy the cheaper it is. For me the sweet spot is 5 gallon buckets. Yes, they are expensive but ounce-for-ounce it’s much cheaper than buying the same amount in small packages.

[@MarkATrombley]

I am confused. You paint the backs and the top of the head of all 5 of the tikis, but then when you use sticky wax to put them into the mold box one of the heads doesn't seem to have any blue on it. Is this a continuity thing or did the rubber turn clear for some reason?

[@RobertTolone]

Yeah, Mark, I should have mentioned it. Just a screwup. On that particular model the brushed-on silicone ran down and stuck to the paper. When I picked it up the silicone ripped off the top of the head. Then I realized at the angle it was installed in the mold case the lettering there would fill OK so I didn’t bother to re-coat it before filling the mold.

[@ikoniqmusic]

Hey Robert! Love your videos! Have a question maybe you can help me with If I make a component in wax (for example a bead cap), if I decided I wanted to make a single mould that branches off multiple copies of the same wax component, how would I make such a mould? How do I reproduce the main wax compliment multiple times. Sorry if that sounds confusing. Basically 1 component with multiple sprues of the same component, for mass production

[@RobertTolone]

This would make a really good channel project. You could send me five key caps and I will make a gang mold to see how many we can cast at once. If you are interested send pics to me at [e-mail].

[@ikoniqmusic]

@@RobertTolone I currently don't have anything on hand, I was just wondering if there was anything I should consider before starting a project

[@emmabaylis578]

Bob Ross and Mr Rodgers of casting

[@RobertTolone]

Both of them are better men that me! Love them both.

[@skulptor]

what is it you call sticky wax ? just beeswax? Very nice video..as ever !

[@RobertTolone]

No, it’s called sticky wax because it is primarily used as an adhesive. In the description of this video I have a link to my suppliers and there’s a list in there where you can get sticky wax online. They are not affiliate links - just people that I buy from.

[@skulptor]

@@RobertTolone thanks!Very helpfull:)

[@RichardThompsonCA]

I've been looking into this online and while you can buy "sticky wax" apparently you can make it yourself by mixing beeswax (or paraffin wax) and tree sap (also known as rosin). Both of which available online.

[@skulptor]

@@RichardThompsonCA also plan to try this:) i'll write here if i get a good mix.otherwise just using model wax (red) fo rnow.

[@RobertTolone]

@@RichardThompsonCA I’ve never made it; I’ll give it a try. Although, I have to say that lump you see me using in the video has lasted me for years!

[@ValeriaCVallejo]

Robert thanks for your knowledge, do you know what kind of material molding do i need if i want to casting brass? thanks

[@RobertTolone]

Brass casting is foundry work. That’s very different from what I do. There are lots of channels on KZbin devoted to DYI brass casting that can give you much better information than I can. Good luck with your projects!

[@kainoctis7724]

I'm curious, what's the reasoning behind not doing a glove mould with a flexible silicone?

[@RobertTolone]

I don’t have much experience with glove molds. So I don’t know if that method would be easier and faster. That would make an interesting test.

[@maverickstclare3756]

Client tries to make it easier, makes it harder!

[@RobertTolone]

They mostly do.

[@theshermano3000]

Can you tell us why you're using a wax carving setup (Foredom) that cost over $200 when you could just use a $20 soldering iron heating wand? Sure would like to know what the advantages are of the Foredom that warrant the spectacularly higher cost. Thanks!

[@RobertTolone]

Because a soldering iron is way too hot for wax. There are digital irons but usually even the lowest temperature is too hot and will immediately burn the wax. I have used a variety of waxer over the years and they all wore out or burned out. My Foredom wax pen has been in regular use for 10 years and has paid for itself many, many times over. It is the best and most reliable waxer I have found.

[@theshermano3000]

@@RobertTolone Thank you for that. Unless you've mentioned this before, you might want to make a video on it (or at least mention it).

[@Jkauppa]

who would you have a second support box, when you can use the original rubber mold as the cast hold

[@RobertTolone]

I use molds cases to hold the rubber mold in the proper position for casting.

[@Jkauppa]

@@RobertTolone just wondering why you made a second one to hold it, not using the original

[@RobertTolone]

@@Jkauppa Because the position it was held in to pour the rubber will be different than the position it will be held in to pour the resin.

[@annekabrimhall1059]

You say its easy to assemble. Most people do not have those tools and it seems really complicated even if you do have all the wood cutting tools. I’m limited to cardboard in foamboard.

[@RobertTolone]

You could build this with cardboard and foam board. My viewers range from people with no tools or experience to people who write to tell me everything I'm doing wrong! I just put stuff out there and hope somebody finds it useful. ♥

[@annekabrimhall1059]

@@RobertTolone What you produce is very good quality, high detail and no air bubbles or flashing. so I wouldn’t listen to those who say you’re doing it wrong.

[@RobertTolone]

@@annekabrimhall1059 Sometimes someone tells me how to do something and I KNOW they’re wrong! Those people I definitely don’t listen to. But then there are the people who know what they’re talking about and have really good ideas. It is always a joy to learn something new.

[@chartle1]

I really wanted to see the snow globe. 😪 In front of me is a mold that's part of something like a snow globe

[@RobertTolone]

Me too. I still don’t have the resin. 😭 As soon as It arrives I’ll spin up a casting. I’m really looking forward to it!

[@chartle1]

@@RobertTolone what did you get, researching roto casting resins and clear seems to be special. Also reading stuff about anti foaming agents. 🤷‍♂️ For my application bubbles could add to the effect. Trying to recreate sort of blown glass ornaments. So a bubble would make it "Home made".

[@RobertTolone]

@@chartle1 I bought a clear urethane from my regular supplier www.silpak.com. They advised me to heat both the mold and the resin to 100°F to get it to rotocast properly. We shall see...

[@wishcloudstudios]

What was that paper thin white sheet that you used? Did I miss what it was called?

[@RobertTolone]

It was thin white cardboard from a scrounged gift box. You made me realize I forgot to mention it.

[@wishcloudstudios]

@@RobertTolone Okay. Well shoot, It doesn't sound like something readily available.

[@RobertTolone]

@@wishcloudstudios You could probably make it out of almost any heavy paper or thin cardboard. Recycling bins are a goldmine for that kind of stuff.

[@shaunavconnelly9022]

It was a gift from the Xmas Dept at a big box store. Abt like “poster board” at most “craft-o-matic” stores

[@SuperNickusor]

Hi Robert can you make a top 5 profitable items you cast during the years or you hear about

[@RobertTolone]

I am primarily a sculptor. Mold making and casting is just part of what I do to deliver finished product to customers. My most lucrative work has been doing toy prototypes for toy companies working with the entertainment industry. Also working directly with companies like Disney, Warner Bros. etc. In terms of casting work I always look for short run, high-value casting jobs. For me it’s better to make $1000 by casting five items that it is to make $1000 by casting 500 items. Long run, low dollar casting brings you into competition with foreign suppliers. And they will always beat you because of their much lower labor costs.

[@SuperNickusor]

Thank you Robert for answer me

[@levinebette15]

1 word: speculum

[@shaunavconnelly9022]

😳

[@levinebette15]

@@shaunavconnelly9022 separating the mold as he cuts!

[@RobertTolone]

Bette, can I borrow your collection?