Replica reptiles

[JE]

I am looking to making replica reptiles, but this post is about lizards mainly , I have used alginate with decent results for molding small snakes, then casting with thinned bondo resin mix, But I was wondering if the alginate was best suited for lizards, especially those with spikes/rough skin etc ? or would I be better off going for a silicone ?
Also, can small lizards be done in a one piece mold ? I was thinking along the lines of cutting the mold in certain areas to remove the specimen, then simply making sure the cuts were closed when casting.
Are there any DVD's that cover ONLY molding and casting reptiles ? all I have found so far are for skin mounting.
thanks
John

[Kerby Ross]

I've done a few reproduction reptiles.  Also an article for Breakthrough (Issue # 95) on a reproduction Desert Tortoise because of the difficulty.  It shows the whole process (molding, casting and painting).   I used GI 1100 silicone on all these reproductions and then poured IE 3030 for the cast.  Alginate would rip apart in these situations, whereas the silicone has more strength.

I totally encased the specimens with silicone and then made relief cuts to get them out.  Make sure you make a mother mold of some sort so that the silicone will stay in place before removing your specimen.


Kerby...

[JE]

Thanks for the tips Kerby, your reptiles look great. Not sure if I can get a copy of Breakthrough over her (UK) but will look into it.
John

[Kerby Ross]

You can order back issues of Brealthrough magazine, just click on their link and e-mail them.

Kerby...

[JE]

Thanks again Kerby, I have mailed breakthrough. I have a few questions about molding reptiles with silicone but will wait to read your tortoise article, it will probably answer then anyhow.
John

[bullwhipcracker]

This article from smooth-on may help as well.
http://www.smooth-on.com/Taxidermy/c15/p42/Molding-%26-Casting-an-Alligator-Snapping-Turtle/pages.html

[Redwolf]

This article from smooth-on may help as well.
http://www.smooth-on.com/Taxidermy/c15/p42/Molding-%26-Casting-an-Alligator-Snapping-Turtle/pages.html

That's one heck of a project right there.

[JE]

I have actually seen this article bullwhipcracker, but thanks. The materials alone on that thing would have cost a fortune ! One thing I did notice is that it simply says "De mold" the turtle, but that alone leaves many questions to some one like myself, they must surely have made relief cuts ?
I am glad I only have small stuff to do.
John

[psycho]

Kerby no one likes a show off you blue ribblon hog!   

[Kerby Ross]

Those are just reproductions...................I'm color blind, I didn't know they were all blue........... well the top one didn't blue   

So, have you started on your 2013 World Show project yet?

I hate to say it......... but I have......and not what you would expect.

Every time I get to work on it some more, customers start bringing me more work.  Hate that word "work".

Gotta get something done for the UTA show in January, the days are going by way too fast!

I see you are filling your freezer up with deer meat.

Have a good Thanksgiving!

Kerby...

[psycho]

I started on a 2013 piece about 6 or 7 months ago.  A few from here have seen it in person here at the house but their facial expression was what I was looking for when they saw it.   

Yep the whitetails are dropping like flies.  Just got done skinning another one.  Been busy a little to busy for my liking.   

Hope you have a great Thanksgiving.