Casting Indian Artifacts

[4txdrm]

First of all thanks for all the great post. I don't get to mess around on this site as much as I would like to, I mount 150 plus whitetail a year and it keeps me busy and also do reproductions, mainly Whitetail. My question is what is the best way to replicate Indian Artifacts mainly flint arrowheads. I have a pressure and degassing chamber but was wondering if you would bed then in play dough and use RTV or do you paint 3 or coats on and flange the big end so you can remove arrowhead. I am sure I can do the trial and error method but that is why I use this site. This site is more educational than the school I attended 19 years ago.  Thanks Again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ravenson]

well there are are a couple people here doing that I do not know how they do it.  I have thought about doing it but I have not found the quality flints I want to cast yet.  How I would do it is bed them half way ( just to the  edge) in clay. I use klean klay and then add something to the flange end for a pour spout.  push key marks into the clay and then give it   a quick spray of release.  now paint on a coat of RTV silicone and put the whole thing in my pressure pot ( I pressure cast most of my molds when ever I can) let the whole thing cure over night.  Next day add more silicone bringing the over all thickness up to 1/8 - 1/4 think and put it back in to the post.  When the second layer is cured make the mother mold for side one. Then carefully remove the clay and  spray the silicone and exposed flints with a light coat of release and repeat  the process.   

[4txdrm]

Thanks for the reply sounds like that would work good.  If you degas you rtv would there be a need for pressure pot other than when you pour your material of choice,  Thanks for the info!!!

[jermh1]

hello
a quick way is the good old fasion block mold, I have only done a few small ones, but the jist is to make a little box around the item, glue some straws, or dowels to your item to hold it up, and give you an area to fill with plastic.  I drill holes for straws in the base of the box, and polymer clay in the straws making a little cone, which is a funnel in the finished mold. also may help to go with a semi clear rubber like dragon skin (soft) or sorta clear which is a bit stiffer, from smooth-on, that way you can see your object in the mold, while your cutting it out.

[Ross Vogler]

For the time you put in it, you may just be better off buying some. You can buy lots
(qty more than 1) in fairly good condition for under 20. JMO, but still a good topic. I have a few that I would like to replicate one day.

[Ravenson]

ok technically if you degass your silicone you do not need to use a pressure pot.   I have all ways had good luck with the pressure pot so that is what I use.  jermhl is right you could do a cut mold and get good results.

Jeff

[4txdrm]

All sound great I am going to do some this weekend. Any other help is always good.  Never can have to many ways To do something or little tricks.  Thanks Again!!!