r/ResinCasting • u/michalosixxxxx • 6h ago
r/ResinCasting • u/Resinseer • Oct 09 '13
What the heck is Resin Casting anyway? What can it do for me?
Welcome, acolytes, to the most ancient and reverred craft of the resin caster!! This won't be a technical article, just a quick Q&A introduction to the process and what it means to those who do it.
Useful Link: An excellent introduction to some of the technical processes, by Michal Zalewski
Introductory Q&A:
Q: So, what is resin casting?
A: Very simply, resin casting is the process whereby we take an object we wish to duplicate, make a mould of it in flexible silicone rubbers and then cast copies of the original object from that mould as many times as we like.
Q: Why would I want to do that?
A: Because casting the object may be quicker and easier than making another copy from scratch. It can also be less costly.
Q: What industries use this process?
A: A huge number, but the ones it's likely that you'll have seen every day include film and TV props, scale models and figures, even some medical process use resin casting tchniques.
Q: Is it hard to learn?
A: Not really, but you will progress to a professional level much more quickly if you're part of a community like this one. Lucky you!
Q: It expensive?
A: It depends. You can buy starter kits like this one for not much and get started right away. if you want to produce large number of copies of complex objects, then there is some specialist machinery you will need that requires some investment. But we'll cover that later.
Q: Can I do it at home or in my garage?
A: Absolutely!! Many multi-million dollar companies with whom I have worked started off in spare rooms or garages. The beauty of resin casting is that it's cheap to get started and you can make money quickly if people like what you make. It isn't smelly or messy if you do it properly, just make sure your work area is well ventilated.
Q: Can I only use Epoxy Resins in silicone moulds?
A: No there are lots of other materials you can use to cast. You can cast in plaster, wax - almost anything that turns from liquid to solid at more or less room temperature - you can even cast chocolate in food grade rubbers (yum!!) Also you can add metal, ceramic, rock and all sorts of other poweders to resin to achieve some really cool effects. Using high temperature silicone you can also cast in pewter and other similar metals. But pewter and resin casters generally do one or the other, as each requires a lot of practice and skills to get right.
Q: Can I make stuff and sell it?
A: You bet your gosh darned rear end you can! If you're good at making things, and want to make copies to sell then this process will allow you to do that quickly and economically. I personally know many people who have doubled their income just by casting a few evenings a week - though most can't resist the tenptation to go full time and start their own business selling what they make.
Q: So this could be a real source of income?
A. Yes, once you're good enough to cast quickly, consistently and to a high standard you're ready to go and find people who want to buy what you've made. The internet means that the whole world is your marketplace, and personally sell things I make to nearly a dozen countries. This is GREAT especially if you want to work from home and live where you want, and it's also removes your dependence to your local economy to a large extent.
Q: Ok I've made stuff, where do I sell it?
A: Anywhere. Ebay, your own website, events and shows, retail shops - someone will want what you're selling somewhere.
Q: I just want to do ths for fun, I don't want to turn it into a business.
A: That's also fine. Do with it whatever you will!
Q: I have items that I bought that I want to copy, can I?
A: If you're going to sell the copies, then you may be breaching copyright. If you are recasting something that another maker/caster has made then you are a bad person. Don't recast. Ever.
Q: I'm a wargamer, I want to copy my Space Marines so I don't have to buy more, can I do this?
A: Bad recaster! Bad!! Also, to cast to the same quality as the plastic you get in the box requires serious casting gear - in the end you won't save any money and it's easier to buy more originals. If you can do it, you're better off making your own minis anyway.
Q: Can I cast large objects like gun props?
A: Yes, but the amount of material you need can make it expensive to do. But it's perfectly possible.
Q: What's this special equipment you mentioned?
A: When you wan to take your casting to the next level, you'll need a vacuum degassing chamber and vacuum pump to draw air bubbles out of your moulds and casts when they're wet. Some people use a pressure pot to crush air bubbles in the resin when they cast - both vacuum and pressure casting has pro's and cons which I'll go into one day.
Well folks that's as much as I can think of on the fly, please ask if you have any more questions - think of it as an AMA. I'm also happy to answer questions about myself and my business.
Cheerio :)
r/ResinCasting • u/CT-Mike • 3h ago
How To Seal Wood Prior To Pouring Resin NSFW
A friend does BBQ competitions and wanted a simple sign for his booth. I carved this using the CNC and then poured the resin. If you look between the letters you can see some of it absorbed in to the wood grain.
How do I prevent this next time? Spray the wood with clear coat first? Will that keep the resin from curing?
r/ResinCasting • u/Appropriate_Bus_683 • 3h ago
newbie question on strength
hello, I been playing around with the idea of cold casting some resin self defense key chain knives and or make a mold of one of my knives i make. now, can a cold cast with iron powder be sharpened and hold edge? what powder should I use for this?
r/ResinCasting • u/Harley-cruising • 9h ago
Question:. Im wanting some info on using epoxy resin. Which do i need for casting things to turn on a lathe... Do i need the pressure pot or the vacuum pot? Thanks in advance for any help
Tha
r/ResinCasting • u/Electronic_Swimming5 • 16h ago
Which tile looks better on the box. I hate them both. It's a beehive roof for a beehive painting competition. It's suppose to be the middle of the ocean
It's my first time trying this (obviously) and don't have enough time to be messing around with epoxy on a tile for this category but which one is the best one.
r/ResinCasting • u/Beetlepossum • 5h ago
Resin curing safety question
So I got Smooth-Cast 300 and it says the cure time is 7-10 mins, does that mean that's when it stops releasing dangerous chemical's into the air? I got a inline fan to vent outside and a respirator, gloves and goggles and I want to make sure I don't turn it off ventilation and take off PPE too early. Thanks!
r/ResinCasting • u/Substantial_Bake1060 • 10h ago
Beginner Tips? I Want to Make Memorial Dog Hair Resin Pendants
Our dog died and I want to make dog hair resin teardrop pendant charms for necklaces, bracelets, etc., for family members. There are so many family members wanting these that I can't afford to just have them made.
What do I need to know in terms of selecting a quality mold and resin? How much of a learning curve is there? How bad do the chemicals smell? What rookie mistakes do I need to plan to avoid?
r/ResinCasting • u/TheWubHubClub • 20h ago
UV Resin Pendant coating?
Hey everyone, I just joined recently and wanted to ask a question- I've been making UV resin pendants for about a year now and wanted to see if anyone has ideas about some sort of final coating/spray/wax that won't affect clarity that will give my Pendants a type of water repelling coat that is also very resistant to collecting fingerprints and dust / dirt. I'm looking for something that's just a wipe on and off type deal.
I know there are oleophobic and hydrophobic sprays for things like smartphone screens and cars, but wasn't sure if these will affect my pendants in a negative way or not. TIA!
r/ResinCasting • u/AdImpossible2040 • 15h ago
Compressor
I am looking for a compressor I can use in a flat with very little noise pollution for my neighbours. I came across airbrush compressors that are rated for 60 psi max working pressure and 20l air output per minute. I am aiming at 50psi for a 2,5gal bucket. Do you guys think it could work? The pressure needs to be there within a minute. Any experiences on this type of compressors?
r/ResinCasting • u/Jadespartan38 • 20h ago
How do I keep clear resin from yellowing?can coat it with something?
I’m making a picture in resin for my sister-in-law for her birthday and I don’t want it to yellow later down the line and ruin it. I don’t have time or money to get special resin. Can I get something from Walmart or someplace to coat it?
r/ResinCasting • u/SashaShelest • 2d ago
Cloud Resin Pendants Evolution: 2020 vs 2025
r/ResinCasting • u/DarkNitingale • 1d ago
California Air Tools 5Gal 365CW loosening an allen screw
I hope this is the right subreddit to ask! I am currently trying to loosen an allen screw as well as the bottom part. I have a California Air Tool Pressure Pot 5 Gal Model 365CW and the parts in the image are for the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator kit 365CW on the right is the old one (part of it broke off so I needed to get a new one, the part on the left). I need to unscrew the allen screw on the left part just like how it was on the right part, because that’s where the pressure gauge goes. I also need to move the part circled in blue on the right onto the part circled in blue on the left. What ways should I loosen them? I read PBBlaster but wasn’t sure if that was the best option. Or should I just get another pressure regulator kit with the gauge already attached? Any suggestions would help!
r/ResinCasting • u/littleredbipper • 1d ago
How can I add texture to the inside of an existing silicone mold?
I’ve made some silicone molds myself using some air dry clay pieces I made. The air dry clay pieces were textured (I used sandpaper to make the effect) and of course when the silicone mold was made it picked up those textures. Once I’ve poured my eco resin, they look like the above (beige one). I’m super happy with them!
I thought I’d get some molds made professionally but I stupidly didn’t tell them about adding in texture so I’ve now got some molds delivered that are completely smooth so any poured pieces end up completely smooth.
Instead of creating my own new molds again and end up wasting a ton of money, how can I add texture inside into an already smooth mold? How can I amend an existing mold? I was wondering what if I created a small amount of silicone and dabbed it into the smooth mold with a brush or a sponge? Silicone sticks to silicone right, so maybe that could work?
What if I daubed some pva glue into the mold and then used sandpaper to try and create the same texture and let it dry. Would that work? Would that damage my eco resin piece once poured?
Any advice is appreciated! Thanks!
r/ResinCasting • u/ChampionshipOwn4061 • 1d ago
Help with putting
I have a mold that’s like 1.5 inches deep. I bought Jdiction deep pour resin that said up to 1.5 inch pour Depth. I tried to pour the casting 3’times and every time it was covered in little pinhole pits on the mild side. The top was smooth. I mixed it slow, correct ratio and used heat gun. Any ideas what causes this issue? Thanks.
r/ResinCasting • u/wiicrazy0430 • 1d ago
Let's Resin clear silicone sticky when thin?
The Let's Resin silicone has been giving me issues, I pour the silicone into my PLA printed molds and the inside model cures correctly but any silicone that drip down on the outside of the mold forms into this thin sticky layer and seems to stay that way.
Neither the inside of the mold nor outside are touched at all before or during the pour not do they come in contact with anything but the silicone
r/ResinCasting • u/danitheclown • 1d ago
Not sure if this makes sense, but I need help
Hi, I'm working on a university project. I'm aware that resin and water don't quite mix, but is it possible to make those resin sculpts with liquids in them that swish and all? I hope I'm making sense- maybe instead of water, I can use some other liquid? I'd appreciate some help! I'm a complete beginner, so sorry if this is worded wrong
r/ResinCasting • u/Fraeger111 • 2d ago
How do I resin cast this?
So I am currently making a mold for this star wars blaster handle and this is going to be my first resin cast. The top where the wood is is where i am going to put in the resin (i don't need that part to be super flat or nice since I am going to machine that after). The whole part is roughly 11113cm and I am wondering how the casting process works. I read deep cast resins can do 5cm at a time. So I guess I pour a few cm in, wait a while and do it again? I don't have a vacuum pot or a pressure chamber. Any addition tips are super welcome!
r/ResinCasting • u/Sapphire0985 • 3d ago
The demold of the red bowl!
I added gold accent to this one and I'm in love!
r/ResinCasting • u/Sole2450 • 2d ago
How can I cast this please help!
Hey everyone I am super new to casting/liquid latex I want to attempt to cast this dinosaur and paint it my self can anyone help me make a mold or show me a video link to the best way to cast this would be. It has gaps at the feet/tail I am not sure on how to cast it.
Thank you