Resin Cast Terrain Tiles - All colors and translucent!

Talyn · #1 January 6th, 2008, 11:26 AM

Just wanted to show a little project I did yesterday. I made silicone 2 part molds of a 2 hex, 1 hex and water terrain tile. I can now make resin cast copies of these terrains in any chosen color or translucent color. The resin can be colored and dyed for solid or metallic colors with acrylic paint.

I did a few clear blue ones and added blue reflective glitter for a cool effect. I plan on doing a few water tiles in metallic silver like metal plates, and probably some lava tiles as well. They are exact duplicates of the original tiles and fit and work perfectly with real terrain.

Here are pictures of my first few test pieces.

Lotus · #2 January 6th, 2008, 11:33 AM

Amazing.

How fragile are they? I know that some resins can be brittle when thin, and that would be fairly thin.

Talyn · #3 January 6th, 2008, 11:35 AM

these are fairly strong. For these I used urethane Smooth-on Smooth-Cast 325, after curing overnight, they can be bend a little but they go back to their original form, so they arent going to chip or anything. Alternatively, I ususally cast in cheap polyurethane automotive fiberglass resin which is stronger, but a little more brittle. The stuff you see in the pictures is strong but also flexible, so it wouldnt ever crack.

CH4071C · #4 January 6th, 2008, 11:46 AM

How much does it cost to make the Molds and tiles.
Im looking for a cheaper way to get more tiles without buying more MS.

also, how hard is it to make the molds, and what do you use?

CH4071C

Talyn · #5 January 6th, 2008, 11:49 AM

molding silicone i use is $25 plus shipping for more than youd need, trials sizes. Check out smooth-on.com. I use smooth-sil 920. Youd also need mold release if you make a 2 part mold. I wouldnt suggest doing it if you dont have some experience, it can get costly if you mess up.

Talyn · #6 January 6th, 2008, 12:04 PM

idealy my mold would have been done differntly and cleaner, but i was running out of silicone at this point, it was actually for another project. The biggest problem youll run into with casting these is because of how thin they are, youll get bubbles. This isnt as much of a problem when making them solid colors as the bubbles are mostly on the bottom, but since these particular ones are clear, you can see them through.

zanter · #7 January 6th, 2008, 12:11 PM

Those are great! Perfect for summoned tiles!

Draconious · #8 January 6th, 2008, 12:14 PM

Those make better ice & sparkly water. Might as well make a multi colored Crystal World type of terrain to.

As for the bubbles.. you need a vacuum chamber.

Talyn · #9 January 6th, 2008, 12:26 PM

cant afford a chamber. and like i said, i can do solid colors too, this isnt just limited to clear terrain.

skyknight · #10 January 6th, 2008, 12:52 PM

Those are awesome, if you ever decide you want to trade any after you get going drop me a PM. Perhaps we could work something out.

Draconious · #11 January 6th, 2008, 12:52 PM

Well solid colors are a given since even if you could not add the pigments you could always paint them... I've just been pondering crystal-cavern type of terrain for a while

. Maybe the crystals that contaminate the wellsprings. And I like the large tiles used as ice more than the water level... the cracks shape on the taller hexes really pull it off.

I am pondering using this to reproduce my Gate if I ever finish the gate. I will just have to remember to keep the gate 2 part moldable because I do not want to mess with more than 2.

I also have some other ideas I could use this for

I've been pondering buying stuff to make molds for a while, just that there were so many types brands version numbers... I needed a specific number to start with, so I am going to start with what you listed. (Ive already had a class where we made molds).

robbdaman · #12 January 6th, 2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talyn

idealy my mold would have been done differntly and cleaner, but i was running out of silicone at this point, it was actually for another project. The biggest problem youll run into with casting these is because of how thin they are, youll get bubbles. This isnt as much of a problem when making them solid colors as the bubbles are mostly on the bottom, but since these particular ones are clear, you can see them through.

Supposedly if you put just a tiny bit of talc based baby powder on your mold before casting it helps eliminate bubbles. Or you can get a paint pressure tank for a good chunk of change.

R~