"Casting my own resin minis?" Topic

I'd like to explore making my own molds and casting my own resin minis. I'm looking to make everything from your average sized mini on up to bigger things like terrain pieces or buildings in the future. So I'm looking for advice or tips or instructions if anyone here has some tips to share. I've read the Hirst Arts mold making page, which was informative, but it doesn't seem to have changed since the last time I read it many years ago.

Wondering if there's any new techniques out there that I should be looking for. I think I remember reading you need some kind of vacuum chamber to get the bubbles out… is that true? And if so, where does one acquire such a thing? And what other equipment would I need? What are the best rubbers to use for making the molds? And the best resins to use?

are you uk or non uk based?
a vacuum chamber will make figures better but you do not need it for larger building parts in single moulds
good luck

Google "Smooth On". They are a company that specializes in mold making materials. They have tons of how to stuff on their site. I've been dealing with them for years and can't say enough good things about them. Also as you are in PA if you order from them on Monday your stuff will be on your doorstep by Wednesday with normal shipping.

Here is a quick how-to I put together many years ago about using RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanizing rubber) to make a simple mold and casting a resin part.
link

The supplies I used were from Micro-Mark:
micromark.com
Here is a link to the casting stuff:
link

And the stuff shown is still available. Smooth On is a very good company and their casting kits are often sold a craft store (including many of the large chain store ones) as well a Hobby shops, like Model Train shops.

A more convenient molding material for very low production runs is "Composimold" and related products. This stuff you simply heat until it softens, press onto your master, let cool and use have a reusable mold. You can reheat it and reuse it after you have enough copies.

Thank you a lot of great videos here