Lifecasting Tutorial: How to Make a Mold of Your Arm with Alginate

[@smoothon]

Pouring in a thin stream is generally enough to remove most of the bubbles in Ecoflex 00-30 as it is very low viscosity. You can also 'slush' a layer of Ecoflex into the mold first by rotating the mold to create a bubble free surface before pouring the rest.

[@smoothon]

There are a few options. For one, Body Double is a silicone that can be applied directly to the skin to make a mold. It is compatible with some clear resins like EpoxAcast 690. Another option would be to cast gypsum or Smooth-Cast 300Q into an Alja-Safe mold and then create a mold from that cast that would be compatible with Crystal Clear or other clear resins (Mold Star silicone, for example). Feel free to contact our technical support team to discuss this project in more depth.

[@Courtlat1986]

Love your videos, but seriously... What is with the 80's porn music? Haha

[@AidingIsKey]

Tim Courtland That’s one of the best parts

[@rosi607]

traducción español por favor?

[@smoothon]

Absolutely. Plaster is compatible with Alja-Safe.

[@smoothon]

@Akio Kato - We used about 1 gallon of material. A 2-gallon unit of Ecoflex 00-30 costs about $185.00 USD. www.smooth-on.com/Ecoflex%3D-Superso/c1130/index.html?catdepth=1

[@robbiemills6313]

"29 inches of mercury" refers to the vacuum pressure. There is no actual mercury involved in the process, its just a measurement. Temperature is also commonly measured with mercury thermometers. The vacuum is to eliminate possible air bubbles. Mixing your silicone with a thinner should be sufficient to accomplish the same effect.

[@smoothon]

Ecoflex 00-30 does not need to be vacuum degassed. You should still be able to get a good casting if you skip this step.

[@smoothon]

You might want to look around our website for some ideas about how to make a hollow casting or feel free to contact our technical support team to discuss the specifics of your project.

[@tolu1778]

How can I make a hollow arm to wear like a mask?

[@smoothon]

This is an optional step to help eliminate any trapped air bubbles. Ecoflex 00-30 has a very low viscosity and this is generally not an issue, but we wanted to demonstrate this step for the video.

[@edot913]

any suggestions on where to buy the sheeting? is that clay around the bottom?

[@smoothon]

Yes, you can use a platinum silicone such as Dragon Skin or Ecoflex 00-30

[@Materiaoscura999]

Hello, How can we know the amont of alja safe to prepare when we want to copy an arm for example? How we mesure?

[@fangdrag]

The part where you say to vacuum the silicone rubber.. i don't have such machine. What can i use instead?

[@smoothon]

You can add silicone thinner to the rubber, and pour in a thin stream. This will also help reduce bubbles.

[@smoothon]

Ecoflex 00-50 and Dragon Skin 10 FAST would both be a little firmer than Ecoflex 00-30 but still rubbery. You could also use plaster/gypsum or Smooth-Cast 300Q if you wanted to make a completely stiff casting.

[@StealthPumps]

Yeah I'm thinking sex toys! The music really gets you in the mood!

[@jendreaddy]

how many lbs of alginate did you use?

[@smoothon]

We used acrylic sheeting in this video, but any flexible material will work.

[@smoothon]

'Double Mixing' like this is the best way to make sure your silicone doesn't have any unmixed areas.

[@mylovedmanga]

how much does that hand weigh after completion? how many kg?

[@smoothon]

About 1 8x8x8 (3 lb) box was used

[@andrewcagatio9878]

great! a question. This silicone arm can be used for tattoo ? is similar texture ? Thank you

[@ReynoldsamPlus]

+AndrewCagaTio Many of our customers use our Dragon Skin silicones for tattoo practice.

[@smoothon]

The Alja Safe mold is much softer than an A10 - usually around a 00-20 or 00-30

[@lisarodriguez461]

where can i buy a cylinder like the one in the video 1:09

[@DevilsDiscretionAdvised]

Lowe’s or Home Depot

[@smoothon]

The silicone is called Ecoflex 00-30.

[@smoothon]

@Demonh8 It can be disposed of with standard garbage.

[@fantm187]

Smooth-On, Inc Your products do fantastic work. So much detail! Could I use this process to make a lifecast for a candle? I'm looking for a method to make candles that resemble realistic hand shapes. If not what materials do you supply that I would need to do this?

[@smoothon]

***** We would recommend Body Double silicone to make a hand mold which can then be used to make a candle.

[@aceofspades02]

this final silicon accepts another same silicon over it after it gets dryed/cured? In other words: Is it possible to weld or "glue-seamslessly" ready silicon cured pieces? Ace

[@TheBeardReviews]

Can a solid cast of the arm be achieved using plaster in the mould rather than the rubber?

[@sthwestb]

What can you do with the mold debris after you demold it, ie.. the pieces of mold?? Can it be reused if you soak it?? And can this step be used to do a leg and foot in one piece??

[@Kozidian]

Ah! Thank you for the clarification! Another question though, is the Ecoflex 00-50 stiffer after curing than the 00-30? is the 5A the stiffest?

[@biviro47]

You could use a 6 inch wide by 20 in long pvc pipe if you can't find a clear plexi glass pipe.

[@vessybeta]

Odd question: Does Ecoflex 00-30 affect styrofoam and vice versa? Not the stuff like packaging peanuts or the compressed stuff like in a fragile package but the kind like when you were a kid and made the solar system out of styrofoam balls kind of styrofoam. Like I said: odd question. Thank you for your time.

[@smoothon]

Alginate can not be reconstituted. It is difficult, but not impossible, to mold a foot and leg using this technique. Often the mold has to be cut along the back of the leg to remove it.

[@DevilsDiscretionAdvised]

So it’s just like clone a willie

[@mmejasminartsplastiques9101]

Hi ! What quantity if alginate did you used for the arm ?

[@smoothon]

Can you send us a tech ticket? Our team can help you - www.smooth-on.com/support/ticket/add/agree/

[@lisamorand9607]

How do you do the upper arm? Like just the shoulder? And it be wearable?

[@smoothon]

Hi there! This is a good question for our tech support team, can you send them a ticket here? www.smooth-on.com/support/ticket/add/agree/ Thanks for watching!

[@dr.ivinsunil1939]

Wether we can use this alginate again?

[@edot913]

what did you make the tube with?

[@krap101]

What is the purpose of changing containers at 2:23?

[@kingpen]

Could you use this stuff( the rubber used to make the arm) to make a bat-type wing for a costume?

[@smoothon]

I believe this could be done, with the right supports built into the wing.

[@kingpen]

Cool, thanks. I had planned for a hex pattern of stronger silicone to reinforce the wing so that movement wouldn't break it. Or something to that effect. Thanks again~!

[@smoothon]

Check out our distributor list on our website

[@isabellaw1070]

Could I fill this mold with cement instead of the rubber? Or something else that would harden into a solid form?

[@smoothon]

+Isabella W duoMatrix Neo gypsum would work, as would most other gypsum plasters. Concrete would not set correctly.

[@TheChannelJ1]

Can u wear it like a glove?

[@یوسفجابلو]

what kind of pigment color did u use?Acrlic?

[@smoothon]

Thank you for watching! The pigment used to tint the EcoFlex™ silicone rubber is called Silc Pig™. You can learn more about the pigment here - www.smooth-on.com/products/silc-pig/

[@smoothon]

Yes, the silicone will bond to itself.

[@williamgarcia4322]

Does this kit come with all of that? What is the purple stuff and what did you fill it with to make the arm?

[@smoothon]

This was filled with Ecoflex silicone, the material used for the mold is called Alja-Safe alginate.

[@williamgarcia4322]

@@smoothon ok got it. Thnx.

[@alatony7672]

how much alja safe was used to do this.

[@maladimaginaire]

Where did you get that cylinder?

[@smoothon]

For inquiries about specific products or purchases, please contact Smooth-On customer service at [phone].

[@BrianMedinaOfficial]

Hi everyone! Where can I buy a cylinder like the one in the video? I tried Amazon but I couldn't find anything like this. Thanks!

[@youtubeaholic2154]

try www.ebay.com/itm/4-Inch-Diameter-Clear-PVC-Plastic-Pipe-Schedule-40-/132413256732 or flexpvc.com/cart/agora.cgi?p_id=CLUVTh040&name=CLEAR%20Thinwall%20UV%20Rated%204%20inch%20PVC%20pipe&xm=on&ppinc=detail&gclid=Cj0KCQiArenfBRCoARIsAFc1FqcgXJxnW0w7WGwVs6i88dxtlynnKmSJnB4qA6V3T_QLKG6ktpCdKzIaAkhLEALw_wcB

[@ignisking759]

You can buy a big pvc pipe at a hard ware store like this www.homedepot.com/p/JM-eagle-4-in-x-10-ft-PVC-D2729-Sewer-and-Drain-Pipe-1610/202280933 Or cheap out like I did with equal to greater effort by cutting up a box into a 5x5xwhatever and layering it with ductape followed by a trash bag for good measure (It can leak if its not fully sealed hence the bag for good measure). The alginate itself you'll be doing light cuts on and virtually tearing it off your cast.

[@georosario7992]

How can I make a version of this that's hollow inside and wear it as a full arm glove?

[@smoothon]

Geo Rosario Thank you for your interest in our materials. Please contact our technical support with more information on your application. www.smooth-on.com/support/index.php?a=add

[@FrankLopezx]

+Smooth-On i have contacted you guys and your support team aren't being helpful at all, might have to look for another company to do business with, im pretty much asking the same question as Mr. Rosario

[@BrandonDime]

It's a little tricky, basically after you mold your arm and let it harden. You take the rubber silicone and place little by little inside, and move it around til its all evenly distributed within the arm mold, repeat the step several times to allow it to double its thickness and extract it from the mood itself.

[@treetea6187]

Can I use eco-flex 00-20 4h cure time with Algisafe without vacuuming?

[@smoothon]

Yes you can, but you may see distortions in your casting as the water from the Alja-Safe evaporates.

[@smoothon]

I added a link to Ecoflex 00-30 in the video description. You can purchase directly from our website (in the US only) or locate one of our distributors worldwide.

[@smoothon]

Ecoflex 00-30 will not effect styrofoam :)

[@jershaus]

Could you then cover in plaster so you can make copies of that arm for haloween

[@smoothon]

You could mold a silicone arm, but it would be easier to pour melted oil based clay in the alginate mold, then re-mold that in plaster.

[@4ba61924]

what silicone to use the arm ?

[@tallisholowka3946]

Good to know in case I want to make a flaccid, floppy body part

[@mrskeleton1562]

What if you do not have a vacuum cylinder?

[@santaninha06]

I want to do it with my leg and ankle 90º position, please What i have to do to remove my foot off ?

[@Annushka238]

Hi! Alginate appears to condense small drops of water at the bottom of the void where fingers are, so when I pour wax into the alginate, the "fingers" of the cast hand get deformed. How do I avoid it?

[@smoothon]

Anna, We would recommend using a hair dryer to dry the inside of your alginate mold.

[@rhutchinson101]

How hard is this mold A10 being the softest ?

[@costearce]

Me podrian vender un ejemplar como el del video?

[@Bluesidian]

way too soft. Is there a silicone that's harder? So that it kinds looks like a real arm if you hold it straight out with one hand?

[@smoothon]

Our Dragon Skin 20 would look similar but be much firmer.

[@genovevagalarza7135]

If I send you my baby doll will you make for me a mold of it? I know its expensive but I don't care. Im trying to make a silicone baby doll but I cant find a mold anywhere.

[@smoothon]

This is not a service we provide, but we can recommend a few mold makers who might be able to assist you: www.smooth-on.com/moldmaker/

[@PersephoneDarling]

What ecoflex can you use to make a stiffer arm than the 00-30?

[@HeatherBelling]

Lmao 8 yrs later, i still wanna know the answer to ur question!

[@devinFl3M1NG0]

What do I do if I don't vacuum it?

[@Kozidian]

why does it need to be vacuumed?

[@cscott192]

How strong to you think this is as a fine sheet?

[@smoothon]

***** Thank you for your interest in our materials. Please contact our technical support with more information on your application. www.smooth-on.com/support/index.php?a=add

[@antonking132]

What is the working time for ecoflex 00-50?

[@smoothon]

Ecoflex 00-50 has an 18 minute working time with a 3 hour cure time.

[@therealcasey007]

Where can i buy the material's?

[@smoothon]

Thanks for watching Casey Yadiel Rodriguez Rodriguez. You can find a full list of Smooth-On distributors here - www.smooth-on.com/distributors/

[@SdtPerrin]

while watching the tutorial my mom came in my room she taught i was watching porn.. Dam track

[@earthelder2065]

Nice !!! Make sure you save it in case he gets in an accident or something...... lol

[@creativeguy1138]

How much aljasafe was used?

[@smoothon]

This was about a 3 lb box in total.

[@creativeguy1138]

@@smoothon Thank you! :)

[@kirpnat9076]

2:34 for what is that?

[@banki2234]

thanks thats exactly what i needed

[@Rosemarie-co5fh]

Can u make me one

[@blondebabyface1982cc]

How much would you charge me to make me a set of hands???

[@smoothon]

+blondebabyface1982cc we do not make the molds, we make the materials to create the molds yourself. You can find a list of recommended moldmakers here - www.smooth-on.com/moldmaker/

[@blondebabyface1982cc]

Smooth-On thank you!!!!

[@krap101]

Thanks!

[@DragonFighter1133]

wow that is creapy a bit

[@smoothon]

Approximately 1.5 pounds of material

[@thekujerry]

So cool

[@Krystinaluvart]

wow

[@brontezunis6195]

whoa

[@lindadaley7469]

Well that's no good! Who has a vacuum?

[@Purly]

Is this stuff available in the netherlands? I need hands/wrists to show off the bracelets I make :D

[@anlocati]

could you pour plaster in the mold instead of silicone? if so how long will you haveto wait for it to set??

[@tallisholowka3946]

Yes you can. Usually sets in 1--3 hours