Epoxy Scales?

[Awesom-o-4000]

So while brain storming up ideas to make some scales, (to make them easier with less finishing) I thought about using clay to make a mold then pouring in epoxy. If it would work then I wouldn't have to cut those pesky hex holes. I was wondering if anyone has ever attempted this before? Also i would be open to any imput that anyone could offer regarding this idea. Thanks

 

[CamH_16]

Yeah... Something like this:

[video=youtube;7aTla4KAK_U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aTla4KAK_U[/video]

(your welcome )

 

[thrillbilly]

I have seen youtube videos of a guy making resin or epoxy scales...mixing GlowDust into it so they glowed in the dark...I dont know how it would work for large scales..sounds like a doable plan though. test that crap out for us man

ETA...Cam just ninjaed me

 

[CamH_16]

I have seen youtube videos of a guy making resin or epoxy scales...mixing GlowDust into it so they glowed in the dark...I dont know how it would work for large scales..sounds like a doable plan though. test that crap out for us man

ETA...Cam just ninjaed me

No, for large scales it will be a pain in the ass... Possible but annoying. If you wanted large glowing scales you gotta find a material called "half life X"...Its basically glowing G-10 or something and its found over at knifekits.com.

 

[sqoon]

So while brain storming up ideas to make some scales, (to make them easier with less finishing) I thought about using clay to make a mold then pouring in epoxy. If it would work then I wouldn't have to cut those pesky hex holes. I was wondering if anyone has ever attempted this before? Also i would be open to any imput that anyone could offer regarding this idea. Thanks

I've thought a lot about this very idea, with a few tweaks. I just haven't picked up any resin to try it. Breaking the clay out of those hex holes will be a tough part. You would need to use some kind or mold release, or be sure to coat the clay with something that will limit bonding with the epoxy, as well as not affect the curing. The clay should be very, very dry. Moisture and resin are not very good friends.

If you beat me to trying it out, be sure to post some pics! Good luck.

 

[Sagewood]

I've thought a lot about this very idea, with a few tweaks. I just haven't picked up any resin to try it. Breaking the clay out of those hex holes will be a tough part. You would need to use some kind or mold release, or be sure to coat the clay with something that will limit bonding with the epoxy, as well as not affect the curing. The clay should be very, very dry. Moisture and resin are not very good friends.

I am wondering if you could use some oven bake Sculpty clay. It cures at 275 degrees farenheight. Wonder what the melting point of grivory is? What I was thinking is to press the grivory into the clay, and cure them together in the oven. Maybe you could keep the temp down to 200. Its possible that the scales could pop right out of the mold, hopefully leaving the hex portions untouched.

Who wants to be the guinea pig?

 

[DerekH]

You would probably want to use molding silicone (cause let's be honest, you are going to want more than one pair) and like Sqoon said, use a mold release with it. Smooth-On has several different types available, so you could get pretty much any finish or density you wanted. I had wanted to do some out of a hard silicone so as to be kinda squishy, but still dense enough to work as a handle material. Never got around to it though. Make sure whatever you use to check the data sheet for the hardness on it. Some of them are what they use to make those fake fishing worms, and I don't think that would work too great as a handle material. If you do it show us pics too.

EDIT: Goose, they make sculpting clays that set up without heat, just need exposure to air. That might work, but then you would have a heck of a time trying to get your molded handle scales out of it.

 

[emperorvince]

I had to call my niece in on this one as she sculpts as a hobby. She suggested a two part clay or a product called Klean Klay if it can be found (they went out of business I guess) as it is silicone friendly and can hold a resin mold. She also said to use a casting talc powder to minimize the resin from sticking in the mold. Im looking for some Klean Klay now, as I was also contemplating this method after watching the vid Cam posted. If I find some..I will try my luck.

 

[thrillbilly]

Play-Do! I recall making all kinds of Christmas ornaments out of Play-Do when I was a kid...bakes in the oven LOL

 

[Awesom-o-4000]

those are some good ideas, i didn't think about modeling clay(or play dough) that would probablly be my best bet as long as it didn't shrink. I will give it a go here in a few days and see what happens.