| Dave F | 22 May 2014 8:53 a.m. PST |
I barrage Mike at historifigs with questions by email; I think some of those would be helpful if answered publicly, so as to answer it for other aspiring sculptors. So, I'll ask WIP questions via the forum sometimes :-) Roughing out this 15mm sculpt, and just wanted you to comment on whether this will be mold-able or not before I pursue it further. I think the shield position might pose some problems, snagging in the mold. I thought maybe I would sculpt it in a way to be completely attached to the body, but it wasnt working out, might have to do that though :-/ i.imgur.com/vktv7VY.png |
 Dye4minis  | 22 May 2014 9:03 a.m. PST |
Mike. I'd recommend doing the shield separately. Maybe sprue it from the base laying flat on the mold. that way, it cuts down on the time it takes to package them up and still ensure each gets a shield. Just a suggestion. Tom Dye |
| Mugwump | 22 May 2014 9:08 a.m. PST |
Shield will have to be a seperate piece for molding. Weapon should be up or down to facilitate molding. The purchaser can bend the arm & weapon to a more dynamic position. |
| shaun from s and s models | 22 May 2014 9:13 a.m. PST |
I have moulded similar things in one go, but getting them out of the mould and doing more than a few would make it too time consuming, so yes separate shield. |
| Dave F | 22 May 2014 9:15 a.m. PST |
Bah! That's what I thought. BUMMER!
It always bugs the heck out of me, the thought that it won't come out one finished piece. Spruing from the base is a good idea, I can attach it there during sculpting. I hang my head in defeat….
Oh well, it's not that big of a deal I guess :-) As long as the boobs are safe. |
| Dye4minis | 22 May 2014 9:22 a.m. PST |
I remember that Ral Partha had a Japanese Spearman (25mm) with the spear tip sprued from the base. With a supplied length of pre-cut piano wire, the mini was easy and quick to package and complete. (Imagine just trying to pick up that small spearhead when there was only one fig/pack!)The pre-cut piano wire was enough extra labor as it was! Good Luck, Dave. |
| HistoriFigs | 22 May 2014 9:37 a.m. PST |
Tom and Shaun nailed it – would be castable as one piece, but a royal pain. Separate shields at 15mm aren't too bad and do make life easier when casting. |
| nnascati | 22 May 2014 11:13 a.m. PST |
Look at Cutting Edge 28mm Biblicals. All one piece castings, and some pretty intricate poses. Not sure how he is able to do it, but he does. |
| Dye4minis | 22 May 2014 1:18 p.m. PST |
Nick, I think such is possible with the building of shelves, but when you have to put something concave into the mold almost sideways, it will eventually tear out. Even with the shelf method, the amopunt of intricate work on the mold may not pay dividends. Sure fine for a few for personal use, but in a mass production environment, it will not be worth the effort. |
| Timothy L Mayer | 27 May 2014 8:29 p.m. PST |
What material are you using to sculpt? |
| ridgeback123 | 31 May 2014 6:51 a.m. PST |
A lot depends on the mould blanks being used. If you make even production moulds in low temp synthetic rubber usually reserved for master moulds. A lot more liberties can be taken. They are more expensive ( approx. 25% ) & will have a much shorter usable life.
Hope this helps
Ian ( Shell Hole & 20mmZone ) |
| Dave F | 08 Jun 2014 11:38 a.m. PST |
Thank you all for the great responses, i decided to go s different direction with her as a result. Should be able to get a better result now. Your aid has helped in birthing another miniature into the community! |
