Casting your own mini

I've often wondered how to do it and have tons (almost literally) of fantasy
minis for lead. I don't have the first clue on how to create a miniature
though, is there a book or kit, can I do this with out spending a lot of
money?

In article <199803070458.WAA02112@dfw-ix16.ix.netcom.com>
> tachyon1@ix.netcom.com writes:

> I've often wondered how to do it and have tons (almost literally) of

To do it yourself, you can make the master pattern out of some clay or epoxy
putty. To mold it you can use RTV silicone rubber. This stuff can be used with
white metal as well as resin if you have the high temperature stuff.

If you want to manufacture stuff, you use hard rubber molds and a spin casting
machine. Hard rubber molds need to be cured at high temperature, so in that
case the master pattern mast be remade in something like epoxy or bronze.

The page below goes into the general mechanics of sculpting and molding and
casting in resin, if that is what your after...

> I've often wondered how to do it and have tons (almost literally) of

In the UK, Alec Tiranti Ltd (supplier of casting rubber, sculpting tools
etc.) do some useful booklets on creating masters and making moulds - I
guess someone in the US must do something similar. However, reading a booklet
on it won't give you the skill needed to sculpt a miniature well
-
only talent and practice can do that (just like reading a book on painting
ceilings would not automatically make you the next Michaelangelo)....

> In article <199803070458.WAA02112@dfw-ix16.ix.netcom.com>

In fact, the sculptors we use mostly make the original master in either
Milliput or "Greenstuff" (Duro epoxy putty), which then goes straight into
the vulcanised rubber mould - these materials will take the heat and
pressure if the figure is properly designed and reinforced with a wire
armature.

> I've often wondered how to do it and have tons (almost literally) of

> Jim 'Jiji' Foster wrote:

> And while we're on the subject, does anyone know any good techniques

> I've often wondered how to do it and have tons (almost literally) of

And while we're on the subject, does anyone know any good techniques for
casting small items like gun barrels? My specific problem: I've got a Ral
Partha Ogre which is missing one main gun barrel and a couple of the six side
guns. A friend of mine has been trying but is having horrible luck with air
bubbles. Suggestions?

> Jim 'Jiji' Foster wrote:

Jim, Small diameter brass tube. Plastic (scale) tubing.
Sretched plastic sprue.   Spring steel.   Connector pins, male
or female (from electronics hobby types).

Bye for now,

> I've often wondered how to do it and have tons (almost literally) of

Little, fine stuff like this is where hand-casting (aka Drop-casting)
often falls down. With enough venting of the mould (ie: air escape channels)
it can work, but this is where you really need a centrifugal casting
machine......

Maybe others with more handcasting experience can help you.

> >>I've often wondered how to do it and have tons (almost literally) of

What are you casting - metal or resin ? When casting metal, make sure
you have a large cavity on top of the mould to pour the metal in, this will
also create pressure in the mould when you pour in the metal and force out the
air. Also make sure you dust the inside of the mould
with talc or similar before casting - it lets the air escape and also
gives a better finish to the casting.