"Some Good News Coming Re Organic Rubber Casting Sets" Topic

We'll all have to keep our scouts out about this, but I just learned recently that in about four + weeks Contenti Co. in Pawtucket, RI, will be offering black organic rubber mold sets in 9" and I believe 12". (Not sure yet about the 12" yet). The sets will come from a Canadian supplier and be far less – shipping wise than anything from UK/Europe.
Contenti will list the sets and prices on their website – Contenti.com – when available and the base price per 9" set of two half inch will be in the $12 USD/13 price range.
Each half will consist of 4 x 1/8" layers instead of the 1/16th inch layers. Thus each 1" thick mold set will have 8 layers and not the 16 we have been historically used to working with when vulcanizing.
Contenti may put this info out in their periodic email announcements, and they will be available off the main website catalog listings when ready for ordering. So, keep an eye out later this coming fall for some great news.
Toby Barrett
Thoroughbred Figures

Brother Barrett!

Thank you so much for sharing this info!

I hope this comes to pass as reported--and soon indeed!

By all means, please continue to let the rest of we natural organic rubber hungry addicts in the loop!

TVAG

Excellent news!! I was not looking forward to using silicone rubber molds. The old tried and true is easier to work with and lasts a lot longer. I do hope it comes about.

Rufus

I wonder if the shortage of organic rubber caused the prices of RTV to spike (which seems to be running $80 USD-100 per POUND lately (I'm including shipping.) I'm gonna have to do some serious shopping around…)

If you are in the US,
silicones-inc.com
I've used them for years.

Short update on this subject:
Hallmark Metals in Cranston RI (https://hallmarkmetals.net/) is now carrying 9" black organic mold sets for vulcanizing. Price around $24 USD a set plus shipping. I've ordered some and will be testing them out. Larger sizes such as 12" will also be available soon. (Lehigh Metals also in RI has gone out of business and a lot of their assets were acquired by Hallmark. As I understand it this was a family decision to quit and not necessarily an economic one.)
Contenti – also in RI – does not have their supply of organic rubber sets yet which my first report on this subject initiated this thread. Contenti's supply however is still due in in a few weeks. However, it appears it will be more expensive than originally indicated – much more – and will be carried on their main web site page and may not be announced on their weekly email offerings. So, best advice is to periodically check thir web site.
I do not yet know the main supplier/country for these new rubber sets, but I don't believe it is a U.S. company.
Toby Barrett
Thoroughbred Figures

Thanks Toby!