First Batch
I had to fit making these in between 9 hour shifts, I am exhausted, frustrated, stressed, annoyed but slightly relieved I made something that resembles a key cap. So please go easy on me guys constructive criticism and tips are greatly appreciated!
Some things I should have done different.
- Spend more time creating the silicone mold, as in make sure there are no gaps when making the second half where it can slip down the sides
- Make sure the silicone gets into the stem of the cap when pouring as for some reason my first attempt at a second half of the mold ended up with a terrible stem that was not going to work
- Start with a less detailed design as you can see the details did not come out so well also the bubbles ruined a lot of them
- Pour the resin into the stem side before pressing together to make sure the stem will properly form
- Buy sandpaper, lol (and I might have to invest in a vacuum)
More
(http://i.imgur.com/KlrPdXL.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/mJv2h2W.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/f1zEZEj.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/b20OkJ0.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/r1ElV2q.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/OCQbnjG.jpg)
Rough Process
More
Sculpting the caps (girlfriends job xD)
(http://i.imgur.com/7AAKrkA.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/SLqwxw7.jpg)
Creating a base for my first half of my mold
(http://i.imgur.com/zOGpnis.jpg)
Pouring the silicone mixture over the base into cardboard sides
(http://i.imgur.com/C6wQYhW.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CcOJUHw.jpg)
Pouring second half of mold onto first half
(http://i.imgur.com/oyJEINQ.jpg)
Ready for resin :)
(http://i.imgur.com/iliLoPF.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/mRalvwd.jpg)
Progression
Trying different pigments
(http://i.imgur.com/qAf9FZx.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/GjXbKoL.jpg)
First attempt at a double shot
(http://i.imgur.com/ByFod0f.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/vTfsfzP.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/Hwe4yxT.jpg)
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(http://i.imgur.com/SYOWd4L.png)
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(http://i.imgur.com/xp9qEIm.png)
This is why Reddit is looked down on. People with no experience who are saying my first tries are **** with no constructive criticism. It's no wonder you guys don't want them over here, they should stay over there with there inexperience and ignorance.
Yep, so many *******s.
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(http://i.imgur.com/SYOWd4L.png)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/xp9qEIm.png)
This is why Reddit is looked down on. People with no experience who are saying my first tries are **** with no constructive criticism. It's no wonder you guys don't want them over here, they should stay over there with there inexperience and ignorance.
I haven't looked, but am I the only one on that post with positive feedback?
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(http://i.imgur.com/GOyfgAI.jpg)
Can anyone help me out into stopping this? I assume its air getting trapped into the stem or something but I have tried pouring the silicone multiple times, even trying to poke out the air but I just cant get it to work...
You gotta poke all the air out....but this problem with casting mx caps is why I prefer BS and Topre more than MX.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/GOyfgAI.jpg)
Can anyone help me out into stopping this? I assume its air getting trapped into the stem or something but I have tried pouring the silicone multiple times, even trying to poke out the air but I just cant get it to work...
I have this problem too, and I think it is related to degassing procedures and might be fixed by pressurization or a silicone mix that wets the surface of the master cap better. If you find a solution, I would look forward to hearing it.
That said, does it matter? I have had caps come out with good stems from this time of mold. The part that connects to the switch is mostly what is inside the silicone.
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(http://i.imgur.com/GOyfgAI.jpg)
Can anyone help me out into stopping this? I assume its air getting trapped into the stem or something but I have tried pouring the silicone multiple times, even trying to poke out the air but I just cant get it to work...
(http://i.imgur.com/2ct2bI9.jpg)
Not good. Going to go out and buy a different silicone solution. The storm trooper mould didn't properly form so the eyes don't even come out proper.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/SYOWd4L.png)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/xp9qEIm.png)
This is why Reddit is looked down on. People with no experience who are saying my first tries are **** with no constructive criticism. It's no wonder you guys don't want them over here, they should stay over there with there inexperience and ignorance.
if anything, those comments were already downvoted and rightfully so. please keep us updated with your progress tho. i can't really contribute much since i have no experience in keycap making whatsoever but i love it when crafters post images of early imperfect works. it gives us an idea of how much time and effort were spent on developing your finished product.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/GOyfgAI.jpg)
Can anyone help me out into stopping this? I assume its air getting trapped into the stem or something but I have tried pouring the silicone multiple times, even trying to poke out the air but I just cant get it to work...
- Use a needle to move silicone around in complicated places and get rid of the bubbles. Insert it in the stem.
Expect bubbles to form in profound cavities and <90º corners.
- Then vibrate the mold, either with a vibrator table, or holding it with one hand and tapping it from the bottom.
- Don't pour it in one go. Brush the silicone first onto every surface, then pour.
- Lower the viscosity of the silicone adding up a 10% maximum per weight silicone emulsion (a polydimethylsiloxane emulsion works with both addition cure or tin cure silicones), so it has a lower surface tension, increased wetability and a lower surface contact angle. After cured, it will sweat off the excess.
- *Buy a Polyethylene glycol, PEG based surfactant in the pharmacy (ask for a powdered PEG laxative to your pharmacist), mix it with a silicone emulsion and incorporate it to the already mixed silicone. Try to use a <5% mix per weight and check if it's enough. Do a small test bofore making the mold pour to check for inhibition and compare how it spreads. It's the same thing used as a "plasticizer" for the dental silicone putties and some other silicone impression systems.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/GOyfgAI.jpg)
Can anyone help me out into stopping this? I assume its air getting trapped into the stem or something but I have tried pouring the silicone multiple times, even trying to poke out the air but I just cant get it to work...
what product is this?
edit: to make this faster.. I would suggest you try Smooth-on OOMOO 25 for the mold and Smooth-on 320/321/322. It is also very important to have a release agent.
Always save your Masters! you can always recreate a silicon mold. you can not recreate your masters. do not sell you masters because you have a mold. your mold will break...
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(http://i.imgur.com/SYOWd4L.png)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/xp9qEIm.png)
This is why Reddit is looked down on. People with no experience who are saying my first tries are **** with no constructive criticism. It's no wonder you guys don't want them over here, they should stay over there with there inexperience and ignorance.
Those posts have 0 points or less. Yes, it's the internet. There are ****posting haters. But at least those posts are made invisible when they reach 0 or less karma.
I, on the other hand, consistently ****post all over Geekhack with nary a consequence.