Mold Making and Casting

Resources

Local Services

• Reynolds, Silicone and More, Retail:
  • Reynolds is national, with a retail store in Tempe, just North of the 202, off McClintock
  • https://www.reynoldsam.com/location/phoenix/

Tutorials

• British Man makes Silicone Molds for Pewter Models
  • 1) Mold Making: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_QD1ff3wJk
  • 2) Casting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7atJo0iA5W4
• Ex Disney Guy Casting Urethane Resin in Silicone
  • Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIy8UDigJ_ynP97e0sMtbKmRuBrCff1Ql
  • Same Guy, Doing Low-Temp Metal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRU-IlIBPKY
• Casting a mechanical part in low-temperature bismuth-tin:
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqqVS_YyWzo
• Lost Styrofoam
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvh0twfgzLM
• Electroplating
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-PtnwtOR24
  • I haven't tried this on bismuth tin yet.
• Desktop Injection Molder
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoSVPHVESiE
• Resin Printing for Beginners
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UU6tWhV010M

Materials

• High Temperature 3D Printer Resin (for directly printing molds)
  • 250C, $2.15/oz: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V8T9NZL
  • 180C, $1.15/oz: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GJTGPYQ
• Eutectic Bismuth Tin
  • 58% Bi 42% Sn by weight
  • 138C melting point (280F)
  • 150C / 300F casting
  • Tin (Sn) 232C / 450F
  • Bismuth (Bi) 272C / 521F
• Heat Stable Silicone Mold Release
  • https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018NBE8A
• Cheaper Tin and Bismuth (free shipping over $150):
  • https://www.rotometals.com/tin-cut-wire-pieces-99-9-pure-1-pound-made-in-usa/