Mould material

[martin goddard]

Juts a bit of interesting background to moulds.

Peter Pig moulds are made from black rubber.  Just like car tyres.
We have made about 2000 so far. 95%   9" diameter. The other 5%  6", 12" et al.
We use a few silicone moulds now and then.
Many companies use silicone "rubber".  This is usually a much paler colour such as cream.
The silicone should be more heat resistant and have a longer life.

Selling silicone moulds  makes a higher profit for the sellers.

In the US , sellers such as Conti have stopped making black rubber moulds. This makes it difficult for US metal casters to get mould rubbers.

In the UK the situation is different.
We hope to have access to black rubber moulds for many years to come.
This is good  news.

Our black rubber moulds very rarely get to an end of life situation. If this happens we re-sculpt the figures. It gives me a nudge to update  a pack.

Moulds can "die" instantly if a lump gets torn out. This is usually the result of a savage undercut being torn. Horses are the main culprits/victims of this.

A very old black rubber mould will go solid if the metal temperature is too high and the volume of metal too big. This sends the rubber a golden baked colour and it crumbles.

Many hundreds of our moulds have only produced 20 packs in their lifetime, so they are safe for ever(?)

martin

[Sean Clark]

Some questions from a curious bystander!

Is there a reason why you'd use silicone over rubber?

Why are there different size moulds?

How long does it take to make a mould?

From the moment a master figure leaves your sculpting desk, how long before you're casting figures for us to buy?

I, for one, really enjoy these peaks behind the curtain!

[martin goddard]

Thanks Sean

Silicone can "cure" at a much lower temperature. This allows plastic or resin masters.
The Peter Pig masters are destroyed by the high temperature of the rubber mould.

Most 15mm makers use 9"
Bigger moulds are sometimes used by 25mm makers.  ie 10 or 12"
Almosta ll moulds of all types are 25-30mm thickness range.
We use bigger moulds for ships or large vehicles.
There needs to be plenty of space around a model for various feeds and outlets.

From switching on the vulcanising mould press to leaving the workshop with a tub of castings takes me about 4 hours. This is why Sunday morning is my favourite.  It also allow me the workshop on my own. That helps me concentrate.

Then it needs another 4 days for me to brush up the masters, Mike to make the mould, Julie to do the web markers  and Nigel to package/sort them.


martin

[Smiley Miley 66]

It's slightly off topic but not so far to not to enquire about it ?
Has anyone seen or know about this stuff ? How different it is to the normal "Green Stuff"?
Many thanks for your little snippets in what goes into doing what we use as the final products on the games tables ?
Miles

[Sean Clark]

Very interesting, Martin, thank you.

[Moggy]

I know I am very interested in the whole process from start to finish.

How about a pictural work from yourself Martin. Maybe for an ongoing series in the Mill,  Start with how you sculpt. Then how you make the moulds and then finally the actual casting process.

Can always keep the trade secrets hidden.

Derek

[Colonel Kilgore]

Fascinating stuff, thanks Martin!

Simon

[martin goddard]

I can certainly give more detail.

martin

[Nick]

It is interesting to learn all that goes into producing the finished figures.

regards,
Nick

[John Watson]

I think you have to watch Sean. He asks too many questions. Is he working under cover for a foreign agent? Will we see PP figures mass produced by Zvezda one day? Has anyone ever seen him eating fish and chips with salt and vinegar?
Seriously though a nice insight Martin.
John

[martin goddard]

Thanks all

martin

[Panzer21]

It's slightly off topic but not so far to not to enquire about it ?
Has anyone seen or know about this stuff ? How different it is to the normal "Green Stuff"?
Many thanks for your little snippets in what goes into doing what we use as the final products on the games tables ?
Miles

I think it's just a Procreate substitute.

I have some Procreate but have never worked with it. All the various two-part sculpting products have pros and cons.

Neil