Rats.

[spacebug]

I think the mold-making/casting project I had going basically failed. The shape I was trying to cast was a little too weird I think, and the casting got stuck, like, REALLY stuck on the inside so I can't get the one practice casting out without totally fucking up the mold. Well, it might be sort of salvagable but not really. And casting stuff sets super quickly, and the vent holes were too small and they plugged up before I could even get the whole mold filled up. Oh well. So, I'm out ~$60, had a great time making a big mess, and learned a bit. I think I'll try it again and make a plaster mold like my big clay head. I won't be able to make duplicates that way, but it'd definitely be cheaper and will probably be easier to demold though a lot messier. (Take a chisel to it! Yeah!) And then if they work they'd all be one-of-a-kind. By necessity, but yeah.

I thought my hands were covered in clay dust, but I think upon closer inspection this might be a very very thin layer of plastic. No wonder it didn't come off in the shower.

Dang, it's after 2 already. No wonder I'm hungry.

Comments

[alisgray.livejournal.com]

what were you making? what technique?

[spacebug.livejournal.com]

I made a model in clay of a little pod-like thing with the intent of casting it in resin or plastic and making it into a lantern. The deep undercut is the problem child, and the fact that the negative space inside it was too large for the opening it had to come out of. I was kind of hoping it would be elastic enough to deal with it (it probably would have been if it hadn't stuck so badly. I *thought* I put enough release agent on, but maybe not.) I ordered a sample pack from smooth-on.com that came with a mold rubber compound and a white plastic for casting, along with a small bottle of sealant (for porus models, like clay) and a release agent. They're actually an amazing deal. Their products are really good quality, though everything but the trial sizes and the sample packs are pretty expensive. I probably needed a different technique for the thing I'm doing, maybe a three piece mold or something. I'd get more stuff from them if I could afford it, but I'll try plaster 'cause I've worked with it before and it's cheap.

[alisgray.livejournal.com]

I'd love to do some sculpture-making of that sort with you. I even have a little experience with wax injection and stuff like rubber mold cutting.

How big was your project?

[spacebug.livejournal.com]

Neato. it was pretty small- the trial size stuff only comes in pints, if that gives you an idea. The lantern you could hold in your hand and I used the cheap plastic ziplock tubs to pour the mold.
And hey, if you have any desire for a huge quantity of beeswax for stuff like that, star5 and noise have this huge pile in their kitchen someone gave them 'cause it was going to be thrown away. They're going to get rid of it soon, so if you want it, lemme know.

[alisgray.livejournal.com]

yeah, actually that would be very cool.

If at first you don't succeed...

[theatre-nerd.livejournal.com]

Kudos to you for trying though! I rarely enter into a new project for fear of failure. Now, you are a few steps ahead of me. I've often thought it would be fun to try and make a mold of something, but I have never tried.

Re: If at first you don't succeed...

[spacebug.livejournal.com]

I took a sculpture class this spring that was really fun, and then the art department hosted a demonstration of that company's products that was really interesting. This technique and the materials were different from my class but the idea was the same. I'd recommend their sample packs if you wanted to try it, they're about $35. (The reason I spent more is 'cause I ran out and had to order more.) Since you're a theatre nerd, maybe you could get a props person to show you some stuff.

Re: If at first you don't succeed...

[theatre-nerd.livejournal.com]

Good idea! I guess I do know some people who could help me. Hm...$35 dollars. I can afford that. *gears turning*

[magicmarmot.livejournal.com]

Oooh, hey, when I get back up in civilazation, we should talk. I'm planning an order from smooth-on for doing some animatronics, and depending on what you are doing we might get a group together to get some bulk latex, silicone, and some other cool mold-y stuff.

Also, check out Sterling Supply in north Minneapolis. They have a bunch of industrial molding stuff including several molding plasters for which you don't have to pay shipping.

[spacebug.livejournal.com]

Cool! I didn't know you did that stuff and sound stuff. I'll have to see what finances are like- I don't think I'll be ordering more stuff from them until I'm not living off of unemployment and Burning Man is paid up, though. Thanks for the other reference, though, I was going to just use plain ol' plaster, but maybe they'd have something better.

[magicmarmot.livejournal.com]

Depending on what you are doing, for moldmaking I like to use Ultracal-30. It sets up like plaster, but it's a buttload stronger and holds detail much better.

I think Sterling carries a competitor's product, and I can't remember the name, but they would be able to match the properties.

Also, have you ever checked out IASCO/TESCO on 36th street just off of 100?

[vingus.livejournal.com]

Hello...you don't know me but your name was given to me as a reliable source of info on the U of MN metals program by eqe. If this is untrue, please forgive the intrusion. But if you you can share a little about it, I'd be much obliged. I'm considering it as I want to get back into metals (scultping steel, oxy-actylene and blacksmithing) and am having a hard time finding a one-on-one situation or even a shop I can weasel into. I'm not really interested in a degree, just the info but the cost of a space is close to tuition, even without considering equipment. Any info would be appreciated. Hope this finds you well. Thanks-- Rebecca

[spacebug.livejournal.com]

Well, I just took one beginning class, so I'm no expert, but the shop they have in the new building is fantastic. There are, I think, fourteen stations with oxy-acetylene torches, a room in back with arcwelders, a pipe bender, a gas forge, a sandblaster, a sheet metal folder, and several drills and grinders and shears. And I know I'm forgetting things... Access to the metal shop pretty much presupposes access to the wood shop, too, which is also pretty impressive.
I don't know if you can get access to the shops without taking classes, though. I took one mostly for free when I was a UofM staff member, I think with fees and tuition and everything, had I paid for the whole thing it would have been around $1,000. The teacher I had is Guy Baldwin. He's a really nice guy, and could answer more of your questions than I can. His email is baldw003@umn.edu.

[vingus.livejournal.com]

thanks so much, I really appreciate it. No, I would imagine I'd have to be enrolled somehow. I just meant I didn't care if it was as a grad or undergrad as the end resulting degree was not important. I wrote to another professor there but I will try Mr. Baldwin as well. Thanks again. Cheers- Rebecca

[spacebug.livejournal.com]

Ah, I see. You'd definitely be allowed to register for classes without being in a degree program, most beginning classes have spots held open for non-degree seeking students- that's what I was as a staff member. (If you're cynical like me you can read that as: "Sure, we'll take anyone's money!")
If you wanted to take more advanced classes you may need permission to register from the instructor. For information on becoming a non-degree seeking student, you'd probably have more luck with the college of continuing education than with the Art dept. Their web page is here: http://www.cce.umn.edu/ The U is kind of an unruly, many-headed beast of bureaucracy. I graduated from there and I used to work in student services so I know how confusing it gets. Good Luck!

[vingus.livejournal.com]

Miss Bug: Again, much obliged. I've been writing back and forth with Wayne, a professor there (you know him?) and he's got me fairly sold on the program. The facilities do seem more impressive than any other place I'm looking. And a paper shop, too? yum. If I make it out there, I owe you a drink. --Rebecca