Mini Sculpting Super Show 022 - How to Make Molds

[@johnkelley9877]

This answered a lot of questions on how to place a full figure in a mold. Thanks for sharing this.

[@TomMasonSculptor]

No problem John.

[@TheRedjack77]

Now that's out of the way . Your videos are really great thx. They got me started sculpting 1/35 scale figures. Now I'm starting a new project of 6 15mm figures that I'm looking to mold them and reproduce 280 times as replacement game pieces for one of my board games. thx again for making the videos ,very helpful

[@TomMasonSculptor]

+TheRedjack77 that's so cool! What board game?

[@TheRedjack77]

Tom Mason An old game from the 19 90's called Supremacy. Used to be my favorite game back then. there is also a remake called Supremacy 2020, that I've been getting in to. I do got a question for ya. Got my 6 figures almost ready (1 for each team in the game. Russain, USA, China, Japan, Europe, The Common Wealth.) So I'm about to start the molde. is it better to orientat the mold so the fill holes are on the top of the molde, so the molde is on its narrow side and is sitting tall. Or on the flat side m so the mold is sitting short and fat?

[@mlarowe]

I literally just got that the blue/yellow stripe in the logo is Green Stuff

[@TomMasonSculptor]

+Michael LaRowe hahah. Well it probably doesn't help that I'm always sculpting with a gray material :D

[@brightonbegole5459]

Tom Mason hey, I have a question. Can you just cut the gates and vents in when the rubber is uncured? Seems a little easier. Or, hell, why not sculpt some gates to put in the rubber and remove after baking?

[@aanler]

You made the reaper cyber-bane villain?! I LOVE THAT MINIATURE! :D

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Yes! And thank you! I LOVE that mini. So proud to have it as a part of Chronoscope.

[@pauls5745]

18:00 easier would be to have a sprue and vents built in the mold. The vents from wire or coat hangar and a wooden cone shape or dowel rod for the sprue

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Very true. Wood should probably work, though if you had metal rods to use for the vents that would be better. You would still need to cut that last little bit of the vent to the model.

[@heartminer5487]

why isn't youtube promoting this guy?

[@TomMasonSculptor]

I haven’t posted in awhile :)

[@gardnerr]

Wow! That was very eye-opening.

[@Alluvian567]

Awesome, so many questions! You showed the metal reaper mini to demonstrate the figure, but if you sculpted it yourself, it would obviously not be metal at this stage. What materials that you sculpt with are good at surviving the pressure of closing the mold and the temperature? Would this process work with a clay or epoxy sculpt? I am slowly researching this stuff so I can make a few minis for a prototype boardgame (just for fun, no plans to ever publish). At this point I am just looking at using a blue stuff mold to make a mold for some epoxy room temperature casts, but always nice to know what the next steps would look like. Thanks for the amazing videos! My wife (the artist in this project) is amazed and just a little envious when watching your sculpting videos. Thank you so much for all you share!

[@TomMasonSculptor]

The easiest material for sculpts to mold is Green Stuff or ProCreate epoxy putties. If you are working with someone who uses low temp rubbers you can also vulcanize polyclay. I use both materials myself. Just whatever I feel in the mood for. If you are using the blue silicone RTV molds, you can sculpt with anything since there really isn't any heat or pressure in that process. Thank you so much for the questions. I'm glad you and your wife are enjoying the videos!

[@Ariyani_Store]

love this video. good job.

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Thanks!

[@pauls5745]

there's a lot not shown in the process. what about the material? is it like clay, it it fragile, what temp does it vulcanize at, using that type of flask, etc...

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Not sure what you're talking about. You can very clearly see how the material works. And as I mentioned in the video, this is more to show you how mold making works.

[@dancoles2235]

He talks about it around 3:20ish.

[@Makerdude23]

+Tom Mason - Your vids are really helpful and your skill is amazing! I'm just learning about sculpting and casting and wondering if you have a vid of casting one of your figures in metal? I saw this one with the shields and another with the explanation of how to try to set the seam but thought it would be great to see a figure being cast. I've looked at your vid list but didn't see one like that, sorry if I missed it. I'm wondering how you choose which methods and materials for the actual figures. Silicone/press mold with rubber/spin mold/etc, and of course which putty or clay you'd use depending on which mould type. Also if you wanted to make a bunch of metal casts of a figure and you need the mold to last a long time, which one is best? Keep up the outstanding work!

[@TomMasonSculptor]

+daveychaz thank you so much! I do not have a video showing the actual casting process. I might do one down there road. For now I'd recommend looking for videos on RTV molding and resin casting. There are some great ones out there. I never consider the molding process when I'm sculpting. I sculpt with what I want to and then use the appropriate mold making process. With that said, what I sculpt with has no problem being vulcanized (the mold making process for metal minis). If you do sculpt with a more fragile medium, you can always have it RTV'd and cast as a resin master first. That is safe for pretty much everything. For lasting metal, just use the normal vulcanized rubber method. They are very durable. Thanks!

[@Makerdude23]

+Tom Mason - Awesome input thanks for the reply, very helpful!

[@king4en]

do u know were someone get get one off the vulca molds or something just like it?

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Unfortunately I don't. The company that used to sell it stopped offering it and I think they ceased doing business after the owner died. I haven't been able to find anything like it since.

[@king4en]

@@TomMasonSculptor aaah damn thats shame :/

[@DarkMorningFilms]

You the best! Thanks for sharing~

[@TomMasonSculptor]

+DarkMorningFilms thanks!

[@tanimator87]

Hi Tom love your videos! Any idea where someone could find a kit like this these days? ive spent some time looking and so far no luck. Thanks

[@TomMasonSculptor]

+Timon Agar I'm really not sure. I've looked myself recently and can't find anything. Your best bet would be to look into getting an RTV silicon and resin casting kit from Smooth-On.

[@darkstorminc]

Still nothing like this that I have found. Shame as it looks super easy to handle. Anyone have any luck finding a mold like the one in the video?

[@TomMasonSculptor]

I look for it from time to time. Still can't find it for sale anymore either :(

[@girlybits]

@@blackwolf721000 I also found this website: www.ajstools.com/Mold_Frames_Plates_s/225.htm They seem to hand mold plates that also might be useful!

[@itsio7188]

I may have missed it, but is this substance reusable?

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Once you form a mold with the rubber, you have a permanent mold. If you need a new mold you'll need to get new rubber.

[@Rakzaa]

come back to make more videos

[@mantajay8512]

I think is that one is different??

[@yahlimendler2898]

Is it possible to do this with Super Sculpey?

[@TomMasonSculptor]

Yes, Super Sculpey and other polyclays can be vulcanized. Make sure your moldmaker can handle it (I use Fortress Figures).

[@TheRedjack77]

YAAAA1 first comment !