
I’ll admit to having wargame minis on the brain this morning. As a commenter on my earlier post pointed out, a cheaper alternative to Shapeways printing of your entire computer-modeled miniature army is to print just one of each unit type, then use the print as a master to make your own mold and cast a bunch of duplicates. Heck, while you’re at it, you might even just print the mold itself. This page provides a set of pretty good tutorials about duplicating miniatures by casting. [Thanks, RichB!]










Two sided molding and casting is a difficult process without some specialist equipment (vacuum pumps, spin casters). I’ve had a lot of success with one sided molding and wrote a similar tutorial several years ago: http://www.tabletop-terrain.com/archives/2006/08/26/656/
The other option for molding 3d shapes is to mold your piece as a solid block and perform a ‘jeweller’s cut’ into the mold to release the master and casts. This technique actually works quite well since most RTV is so flexible, although careful you don’t damage the master cutting it out of the mold.
Garage casting is a lot of fun, and you can create some very nice pieces for modeling and wargaming. Here’s a 15mm scale building I built from scratch and cast in Ultracal 30 plaster:
http://www.tabletop-terrain.com/archives/2007/02/15/743/15mm-building-facade-released/
Oops, that second link isn’t an ad. The pieces are no longer on sale!
// What's Trending
Raspberry Pi Design Contest
Teardrop Camper Trailer
Dad Builds Son an Iron Man Arc Reactor
Seventeen Sneaky Secret Hides
What to do with an 800 Lb Eucalyptus Slab
10 Things to Connect to Your Raspberry Pi
What does this 2×6 have to do with Father’s Day?
Farm Drones Take Flight
// What's Shared
A better way to slice a pumpkin
DIY Nerf Darts
100 Dollar Store Organization Ideas for Craft Rooms and Beyond
In the Maker Shed: Minty Boost USB Charger
Mad’s Mouse House
Lace Princess Crowns
I Have a (Puzzling) Dream
Play the Rings of a Tree Trunk Like a Record
// Most Commented
Plastic Bags into Plastic Blocks: Revisited
10 Hot New Boards to Watch
Why the Maker Movement is Here to Stay
MAKE Asks: Roadside Hacks
Ten Tips for Hand Saws and Blades
DIY Hacks & How To’s: Convert From Battery Power to AC
How To Make Your Own Laundry Detergent
Greetings From The Fourth Maker Faire North Carolina