"How many casts do you get from a centrifuge mould?" Topic

I mean before the mould starts to break down too much to be useful, say half miscasts.

I have seen 100 mentioned at Reaper.

I'm talking both 28mm and 15ishmm.

Any help appreciated.

I've seen 50 mentioned too, depending upon the models.

Assuming you mean commercial moulds used for commercial use?
That said.

Mould life is reduced
1. Large hot castings
2. Undercuts needing mould flex

Mould life extended
1.Flat bits
2. lower temperature

A 9" diameter mould containing 21 x 15mm foot figures should last 500 uses or more easily. Silicone will have a much longer life than "normal" black riubber moulds.

Hope that is useful

martin (40 years of mould making and still learning!)

When I worked for 54mm model soldier maker we reckoned 500 spins was the maximum expected life span of a typical black vulcanised rubber mould. The figures were designed to be mould friendly and tended to be quite simple poses. Some had separate arms to avoid undercuts.

Lots of factors involved with mold life as Martin has said.

I have molds that are 40 years old (many hundreds of spins) and still cast nice figures. I have molds that are less than a year old (fewer than 100 spins) and need replacement already.

When I'm making cost calculations for new figures, I've settled on 100 spins (assuming 100% success rate) for costing purposes (unless I know the figures are bulky, or will be problem children when it comes to casting).

Mileage varies. You learn from the process. Quicker and easier to learn if casting yourself.

I have on occasion found bits of rubber in tight spots on newly released castings!

Thanks all.

Just what I was looking for.

Keep them coming.

I wonder how many spins people get from resin? I have read a lot less than metal. Also most people use talc as a release agent I assume, used to preserve rubber, do other release agents affect mould life?

Storage life/conditions???

Storage – ours were kept in a cool dry space – nothing special. I imagine they wouldn't like continual exposure to strong UV light though.

Just wondering, what's the cost of a 9" diameter mould containing 21 x 15mm foot figures. Not including the cost of having the figures sculpted.

Cheers
Dean

Here are some UK numbers if that is of interest.

The actual 9" mould blank =£14
Assuming it is a production mould. i.e 21 little figures that are not masters but have about 3 different poses and the mould output will be put in bags and sold.

3-4 hours of labour. That would include build ups, pressing, cutting, first few spins and a mould then ready to be cast from by any man that uses it.

Thus 21 figures arrive by post at the mould makers. The poster gets back a working mould at a cost of £64.00 GBP all in (post included). Quite cheap I think. About the price of a boiler service,

Do remember that some figures are a joy to mould and cast and some are very naughty indeed!

martin

Thanks Martin for the reply, I can just imagine it difficulty in making some moulds considering the detail and pose's of the different figures that I've painted over the years.

Cheers
Dean