molding material

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I'm just wondering what the most used mold material is. Be it  mold max, smooth-on, pour-a-mold, etc. What is the best to use without a vaccum system, and what will allow me to make the most casts? Again thanks for all the help

[Kerby Ross]

Depends on what you are molding and making casts of.  I would use GI 1100 silicone on items that have undercuts as the mold is flexible.  Latex 74 is also good for this (molding rocks, tree bark, etc.).

Kerby...

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I'm trying to make my own duck head molds.

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Also i tried the latex. but it shrinks

[Kerby Ross]

On bird heads I would use the GI 1100 silicone for molding and IE 3030 to make your cast.  The latex 74 is good on non-biodegradable products as you have to apply it in thin coats and wait for them to dry, although that can be sped up with heat.  So latex 74 would not be my first choice with bird heads.  No shrinkage problem with latex 74, just takes too long with carcasses, birds heads (which do shrink).

Although a lot of people have used the store bought silicone in a tube from the hardware store to make the molds, I prefer the GI 1100 silicone.

Kerby...

[Doug Bridges]

I like to use some Smooth-On products,   of course.

Some new silicone that has a fast cure rate is the MoldStar line. Platinum material, so you need to look out for sulfur contamination that may cause the silicone not to cure. Or, I use Rebound 25 A LOT for bird heads. It is also a platinum material and is way strong. Makes great bird head molds. You can also look at the MoldMax line. These are tin based. MoldMax 25 would be a good material to use. It's a thinner viscosity and will degas better (without a vacuum chamber) than the MoldMax 30 or XLS. All good choices. By the way the MoldStar line is also a thinner viscosity and does not require degassing. You can pour the material and the bubbles will rise to the top. You can PM me and leave your phone number and I will call to discuss your application. You can also go to www.tfbplastics.com to see spec sheets, pricing and to purchase or call them at 586-566-7900.

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Thanks to everyone. Seems to be a lot of choices i just need to do a little more research and choose the one i want to use. Thanks again Grady