The Prop Builder's Molding & Casting Handbook

PREFACE The Materials of Molding and Casting How to Get Started A Word About Failure SAFETY Protecting Yourself from the Effects of Hazardous Chemicals Personal Protection Equipment In Conclusion THE MODEL Preparing the Model THE MOLD Undercuts—The Need for Multiple Part Molds Mold-Making Considerations Casting Plaster -- A Two-Part Plaster Mold -- A One-Part Plaster Mold -- A Two-Part Mold—Shim Method Alginate -- Dental Alginate -- Moulage Rubber Molds -- Latex Rubber -- Silicone RTV Rubber Molds -- Fabric Reinforcements -- Making an Injected Silicone Rubber Mold -- Extending Silicone with Fillers MOLD RELEASES Self-Releasing Molds Absorption Molds Water as a Release Agent Aluminum Foil Petroleum Jelly, Green Soap, and Wax PVA Glass as a Mold Release Other Release Factors Mold Release Recommendations MAKING THE CASTINGS Choosing the Right Casting Material Absorption Casting -- Slipcasting -- Latex Casting -- Neoprene Casting Rubber Laminated Castings -- Papier-Mâché -- Celastic -- Fiberglass Hot Melts and Thermoplastics -- Wax (Paraffin) -- Machinable Wax -- Hot Plasticine -- Hot Melt Glue -- Hot Melt Rubber Breakaway Glass -- Sugar Glass -- Picco Resin Breakaway Glass -- Breakaway Bottles Thermosets -- Polyester Resin Water-Extendable Polyester (WEP) Urethane Casting Materials -- Two-Part Urethane Foam -- Supplemental Techniques Useful When Working with Latex and Urethane -- Hair Implanting -- Urethane RTV Casting Rubber Casting with Hardware Store Products -- Silicone Caulking as a Mold-Making Material -- Casting with Plastic Body Filler -- Plastic Wood -- Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty -- Dowman's Fixall VACUUM FORMING WITH THERMOPLASTICS Vacuum Forming Machines Vacuum Formable Plastics The Vacuum Forming Process Making a Vacuum Forming Machine -- The Clamping Frame -- The Oven -- Building the Chassis -- The Vacuum System -- Making Modifications Making Vacuum-Formed Castings -- The Pattern -- Producing Multiple Patterns -- Cutting and Trimming -- Making Splices -- Oversized Castings -- Framing Oversized Castings -- Cornice Moulding -- Prepainting the Plastic Sheet A Few Projects That Demonstrate Vacuum Forming Techniques -- Making a Marble Clock -- Vacuum Formed Books -- Vacuum Formed Leaves -- A Vacuum Formed Marketplace Display -- Making a Lightweight Statue -- Making a Lightweight Headdress -- Vacuum Forming Transparent Plastics -- Making a Sphere APPENDIX Glossary Where to Get Your Supplies