Author Topic: Going to give making caps a shot. Interest check and preview. (Read 88098 times)

mkawa · « **Reply #150 on:** Mon, 12 May 2014, 16:38:11 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Mon, 12 May 2014, 11:41:06

Yes!
(Attachment Link)

that detail!

Dodgy · « **Reply #151 on:** Tue, 13 May 2014, 20:42:00 »

Some new stuff, going to cast some in solid colors tonight to give you guys a clearer look. Anyway, here's some of what I've been spending some time on lately. I feel like they look a lot better in person than they do in the pictures but- I think I finally found my sweet spot in the pressure chamber.

Vibex · « **Reply #152 on:** Tue, 13 May 2014, 20:44:13 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Tue, 13 May 2014, 20:42:00

Some new stuff, going to cast some in solid colors tonight to give you guys a clearer look. Anyway, here's some of what I've been spending some time on lately. Think I finally found my sweet spot in the pressure chamber.
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

WOW!

Loving those even more then your other stuff!

Dodgy · « **Reply #153 on:** Tue, 13 May 2014, 22:54:42 »

Quote from: Vibex on Tue, 13 May 2014, 20:44:13

Quote from: Dodgy on Tue, 13 May 2014, 20:42:00
Some new stuff, going to cast some in solid colors tonight to give you guys a clearer look. Anyway, here's some of what I've been spending some time on lately. Think I finally found my sweet spot in the pressure chamber.
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)
WOW! Loving those even more then your other stuff!

Thanks!

I've got a few more in the works that I should be able to cast in the next few days- going to cast another round of these right now

feizor · « **Reply #154 on:** Wed, 14 May 2014, 07:32:25 »

Lookin good!

Dodgy · « **Reply #155 on:** Wed, 14 May 2014, 11:49:05 »

Here's some more under some better light

Binge · « **Reply #156 on:** Wed, 14 May 2014, 13:05:04 »

The pressure casting is giving you much higher resolution. One thing I found when my caps started to come out with full mold resolution was that whatever you put into the masters will show in the castings you make.

Keep on rocking

anoxy · « **Reply #157 on:** Sat, 17 May 2014, 20:26:55 »

Just found your thread (awesome stuff btw), and now I'm really interested in trying this out for myself. I need a hobby anyway.

I wanted to ask you some questions about the process, but before I do, I want to make sure it's okay with you to ask in your thread.

Dodgy · « **Reply #158 on:** Sun, 18 May 2014, 00:35:11 »

Quote from: anoxy on Sat, 17 May 2014, 20:26:55

Just found your thread (awesome stuff btw), and now I'm really interested in trying this out for myself. I need a hobby anyway.

I wanted to ask you some questions about the process, but before I do, I want to make sure it's okay with you to ask in your thread.

For sure, ask away! I'm more than happy to give advice and details about what I've learned so far, but be warned- I'm far from an expert.

mkawa · « **Reply #159 on:** Sun, 18 May 2014, 01:39:07 »

Quote from: Binge on Wed, 14 May 2014, 13:05:04

The pressure casting is giving you much higher resolution. One thing I found when my caps started to come out with full mold resolution was that whatever you put into the masters will show in the castings you make.

Keep on rocking

actually, casting with polyurethanes tends to magnify small features because of shrinkage. the polyurethane (whether cured under pressure or not) conforms to the mold while it's still liquid and malleable, but as it cures, it will shrink (some of that shrinkage is due to offgassing or other rx byproducts, and some of it is due to the basic loss of entropy inherent to liquid to solid phase changes). that shrinkage will magnify certain types of features, like little surface crags, because the material shrinks inward, opening up the craggy-thing.

anyway, bottom-line is that higher resolution does mean more of the surface features of your master show, but at the limit, you may actually need to play around with your casting material to tune shrinkage features in order to really tune the surface features of the cast.

Binge · « **Reply #160 on:** Sun, 18 May 2014, 11:35:13 »

all good facts, and none I would contest with. Eliminating bubbles is the first step to the visual resolution of the key. Blemishes that can occur without pressure may not create the same detail that you are speaking of, but the keys are more visually appealing without blemishes.

mkawa · « **Reply #161 on:** Sun, 18 May 2014, 11:49:58 »

has anyone tried smoothing the inside surfaces of a silicone rubber mold with self-leveling RTV silicone? momentive 112 and 118 have a pretty low viscosity and cure in air. i've also played with toshiba TSE399 (marketed in the US by momentive), which is one of the lowest viscosity RTVs around; it's about as viscous as my krytox thin mix. these thin RTVs have high tack times (pot time, basically), but if you held your mold in a vise and tabbed a little bit on, their viscosities are low enough that gravity will distribute them into the crags, but not add any total mold thickness. also, since they're silicones, they will bond well to the mold, and since they're RTVs they're one-part, oxygen cure.

Dodgy · « **Reply #162 on:** Sun, 18 May 2014, 14:02:27 »

Quote from: mkawa on Sun, 18 May 2014, 11:49:58

has anyone tried smoothing the inside surfaces of a silicone rubber mold with self-leveling RTV silicone? momentive 112 and 118 have a pretty low viscosity and cure in air. i've also played with toshiba TSE399 (marketed in the US by momentive), which is one of the lowest viscosity RTVs around; it's about as viscous as my krytox thin mix. these thin RTVs have high tack times (pot time, basically), but if you held your mold in a vise and tabbed a little bit on, their viscosities are low enough that gravity will distribute them into the crags, but not add any total mold thickness. also, since they're silicones, they will bond well to the mold, and since they're RTVs they're one-part, oxygen cure.

I'll put an order in today, try this out and report back.
My biggest concern now is exactly what we're talking about, blemish and resolution- since beginning the pressure cast process, now I get every single detail off of my master on my casts, even things I can't see- not always a good thing, you can get a pretty solid partial fingerprint of mine off of the back of one of my caps. I'm not sure the best way to solve this just yet. I'm considering options like gloss coating my masters once they are finished, but I'm worried about getting an even coat on such an organic shape. Also wondering if a different modeling clay or epoxy is a better option, something that I could sand or polish after curing- super sculpy is great, but standing it produces a lot of dust and makes it hard to get back a nice, high luster finish.
Still hunting for my perfect mold material, right now I'm using a semi rigid transparent silicone, which I love but is very hard to work with and tends to beat the living hell out of my masters. I really like having a translucent mold so I can observe problem areas for trapped air and preview cast quality, but I need something lower viscosity. Any suggestions?

mkawa · « **Reply #163 on:** Sun, 18 May 2014, 19:13:36 »

wetsanding is usually the approach taken for smoothing dusty substrates. if sculpy can be layered, that may help too. but, if you're used to working with sculpy to make your positives, i wouldn't change that, as that's your artistic substrate and i wouldn't screw around with lots of different substrates before you your primary one tuned to your satisfaction.

for precision engraving, grinding, smoothing, etc. a dremel with the pistol grip and flex shaft is usually a pretty good tool. dremel also recently came out with a foot-pedal controllable tool, the fortiflex: http://www.dremel.com/en-us/tools/pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=9100#.U3lJAvldV8E

my understanding from watching sculptors though is that using smoothing hand tools on the clay as it hardens is the preferred approach, with water being used to soften surfaces that need rework. remember that what keeps sculpy malleable is water. your bake to set it is to vaporize the water in it. you don't have to fully set it in one go, basically.

Dodgy · « **Reply #164 on:** Mon, 21 July 2014, 01:48:39 »

Weird, my post isn't showing, every time I try to post this update, I get forwarded to submit new topic?

Long time no see! For the first time in 5 years I have 2 days off a week again, so, the last 2 weeks were spent getting sleep and catching up on some other things (playing dark souls 2 until my vision was blurred) but this weekend, I slapped on some gloves and had some fun. I've been holding off any updates until I felt I had something substantial, so here goes:

I've figured out a pretty interesting way of making molds that will allow me to create a boatload of the same cast in one go, without risking any deformation or shrinkage of the actual cast, and most importantly- the stem. I decided to use the goyle as my test dummy for these experiments and I'm deeming it MOSTLY a success. To me, I think this way of casting actually cheapens the satisfaction I get from this whole process, so I don't know if I'll continue to do this with my other designs- but it does have its benefits, like being able to choose the caps with the best marbling without risking the larger time investment of using individual molds.

Dodgy · « **Reply #165 on:** Mon, 21 July 2014, 01:55:07 »

Finally! I don't know why but I had to break up the post to get it to submit, sorry!

Also, a new design, here's a look at the master, and the first half of it's mold:

More designs in the works and on the brain, good to be back at it

heedpantsnow · « **Reply #166 on:** Mon, 21 July 2014, 10:02:01 »

Wow, looking great! I've been following with great interest for a while. Glad to see you are still evolving technique while at the same time growing artistically. I really love your work. Keep it up!

MythicalWagyu · « **Reply #167 on:** Fri, 25 July 2014, 01:01:40 »

So these are really long overdue - sorry Dodgy! - but I wanted to show off Dodgy's newer Mister mold and improved casting technique.

Funny story how I ended up with two of each:

More

I'd ordered my Mister caps back in May and UPS confirmed delivery but nothing ever came to my house. Fast forward two weeks later and someone walks up to me off the street with a package in hand, as I'm getting out of my car, and asks if I'm MythicalWagyu. He lived a couple of blocks from me and shared the same house address, on a totally different street name; UPS decided that was close enough and refused to pick them up and redeliver so this kind gentlemen walked them over to me. Dodgy had already been kind enough to cast me replacement Mister caps from his new molds, since the older ones had torn, and refused to let me pay him for the second pair once the originals showed up. Not only did he send replacements, he sent me some extra Goyle caps! Strangely enough this all happened on my birthday, so it was quite a nice birthday gift indeed

You can see the improvement between the two versions - thicker sidewalls, almost no bubbles, much cleaner bottom & stem, and that glossy finish that makes it look like a jolly rancher (though I really like the translucent cloudy ones as well.)

^{^{Ba'Man bag by Nubbinator - freaking love it!}}

Thank you again Dodgy, I love 'em! I'll be sure to post up some photos of my extras. I'm very interested in seeing more of this lego-sheet technique you've come up with for casting large batches as well

Dodgy · « **Reply #168 on:** Fri, 25 July 2014, 02:01:00 »

Hey man thanks! I really hope you're enjoying them!
I'm jealous of your camera, jeez!

Anyway, I seriously screwed up somewhere in my last casting round, I think I got my ratio backwards or something, nothing has set one bit in the molds, so I have a big cleaning day ahead of me tomorrow, guh... Shouldn't rush casts before bed.

But, in good news, the new design mold is finished and still nameless for the time being, but I should be able to show the first cast in the next day or two.

In other news, the fox is getting remade, I'm taking another crack at a mister mold, and I'm reading into metal plating and casting, and glass casting techniques because all of it just seems awesome.

Dodgy · « **Reply #169 on:** Sun, 27 July 2014, 17:41:08 »

They're pretty transparent, which makes it hard to see the detail, but I love the way the eyeballs catch the light. I'm going to do some solid colors next to get some more visual definition on them. They're casting really nicely so far though!

admiralvorian · « **Reply #170 on:** Sun, 27 July 2014, 18:55:21 »

Keep it up man you're making great stuff! I love my original mister cap, glad too see a new version as well. You gonna have another round of sales soon?

Dodgy · « **Reply #171 on:** Sun, 27 July 2014, 19:41:09 »

Quote from: admiralvorian on Sun, 27 July 2014, 18:55:21

Keep it up man you're making great stuff! I love my original mister cap, glad too see a new version as well. You gonna have another round of sales soon?

Hey, thanks!

Soon.....ish. I think. Probably not for a little while. I'm probably going to hold off until there's at least a few new designs ready to go, and not until I get the Misters casting properly again.

Damnit, I just ran out of rubber gloves.

Dodgy · « **Reply #172 on:** Sat, 02 August 2014, 00:57:36 »

mkawa · « **Reply #173 on:** Sat, 02 August 2014, 01:15:32 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Sun, 27 July 2014, 19:41:09

Quote from: admiralvorian on Sun, 27 July 2014, 18:55:21
Keep it up man you're making great stuff! I love my original mister cap, glad too see a new version as well. You gonna have another round of sales soon?
Hey, thanks!

Soon.....ish. I think. Probably not for a little while. I'm probably going to hold off until there's at least a few new designs ready to go, and not until I get the Misters casting properly again.

Damnit, I just ran out of rubber gloves.

costco packs of nitrile exam gloves. live it, love it

paulen · « **Reply #174 on:** Sat, 02 August 2014, 02:15:05 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Sat, 02 August 2014, 00:57:36

(Attachment Link)

I want one

Dodgy · « **Reply #175 on:** Fri, 15 August 2014, 00:37:18 »

Got some new pigment powders, some absolutely fascinating results. Graphite powder gives you a deep, slightly lustrous black- different than simple black tint and silver powder or something like that. Almost like charcoal. I've also been toying with a few different brands of metallic powder- my photos simply don't do these justice. I also tried to do a two color cast, but didn't wait long enough for the gold to cure, so it bled a bit- I'll be perfecting the process, I think the new design in particular could be a lot of fun for multicolored caps.

Sorry! I haven't cleaned the caps up yet, just wanted to share!

exitfire401 · « **Reply #176 on:** Fri, 15 August 2014, 00:44:59 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Fri, 15 August 2014, 00:37:18

Got some new pigment powders, some absolutely fascinating results. Graphite powder gives you a deep, slightly lustrous black- different than simple black tint and silver powder or something like that. Almost like charcoal. I've also been toying with a few different brands of metallic powder- my photos simply don't do these justice. I also tried to do a two color cast, but didn't wait long enough for the gold to cure, so it bled a bit- I'll be perfecting the process, I think the new design in particular could be a lot of fun for multicolored caps.

Sorry! I haven't cleaned the caps up yet, just wanted to share!
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Loving the new designs/colors!

Lingj · « **Reply #177 on:** Fri, 15 August 2014, 00:45:13 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Fri, 15 August 2014, 00:37:18

Got some new pigment powders, some absolutely fascinating results. Graphite powder gives you a deep, slightly lustrous black- different than simple black tint and silver powder or something like that. Almost like charcoal. I've also been toying with a few different brands of metallic powder- my photos simply don't do these justice. I also tried to do a two color cast, but didn't wait long enough for the gold to cure, so it bled a bit- I'll be perfecting the process, I think the new design in particular could be a lot of fun for multicolored caps.

Sorry! I haven't cleaned the caps up yet, just wanted to share!
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

Awesome designs!!

MythicalWagyu · « **Reply #178 on:** Fri, 15 August 2014, 10:39:03 »

Dude these are so cool! I really like that organic creature, brain-sticking out thing you've got going with the one cap, and the new colors

dibs on the far right

http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=54513.0;attach=74552;image

xprongs · « **Reply #179 on:** Tue, 19 August 2014, 01:25:41 »

These look absolutely awesome man!

I look forward to having the pleasure of owning one of these.

Dodgy · « **Reply #180 on:** Wed, 27 August 2014, 02:47:31 »

Thanks guys!
Have had some slowdowns because I'm in the middle of preparing to move to a new apartment, which by the way is driving me completely insane. If anyone owns a building in Manhattan, I'll make them free caps for life if you let me live there.

New experiments in the works right now, hopefully some results tomorrow morning!

dustinhxc · « **Reply #181 on:** Wed, 27 August 2014, 03:13:11 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Fri, 15 August 2014, 00:37:18

Got some new pigment powders, some absolutely fascinating results. Graphite powder gives you a deep, slightly lustrous black- different than simple black tint and silver powder or something like that. Almost like charcoal. I've also been toying with a few different brands of metallic powder- my photos simply don't do these justice. I also tried to do a two color cast, but didn't wait long enough for the gold to cure, so it bled a bit- I'll be perfecting the process, I think the new design in particular could be a lot of fun for multicolored caps.

Sorry! I haven't cleaned the caps up yet, just wanted to share!
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)

The black and good guy on the bottom right looks rad!

pr0ximity · « **Reply #182 on:** Sun, 31 August 2014, 20:49:14 »

Trans Misters still going strong on my board! Like three peas in a pod. Glad to see you're still keeping with it Dodgy, excited to see what you come up with next

Dodgy · « **Reply #183 on:** Sun, 26 October 2014, 15:53:16 »

The new setup is complete and ready, finally. Moving was a big ordeal, and it took a long time to figure out exactly how to start working again in the new space, since I no longer had a roof to work on. Fortunately, I think I've found a pretty decent solution out of an older butchers block type of furniture. The whole thing is on wheels, and the top platform actually can fold in and out in thirds to a more compact surface. Pretty much everything that I use regularly for casting is self contained into the piece of furniture now, and is totally mobile- I'm pretty happy with it. Only thing I need is a second drop cloth to protect the rug that it's on. Also pictured is the absolutely bad-ass pressure system that mkawa built for me - thanks again man!

Also, here's a quick look at a cast I did a little while ago- I'm trying out some new techniques in finishes and pigments, and I think they're coming out looking really cool.

Anyway, I'm spending the day on some two part casts, and molding some new designs- sorry for being so quiet for so long.

Dodgy · « **Reply #184 on:** Wed, 29 October 2014, 13:30:35 »

It shimmers green when it catches the light at certain angles.

Dodgy · « **Reply #185 on:** Mon, 03 November 2014, 09:41:15 »

Modified the cap so it took backlighting nicely

And some new color swatches

Vibex · « **Reply #186 on:** Mon, 03 November 2014, 11:47:53 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Mon, 03 November 2014, 09:41:15

Modified the cap so it took backlighting nicely
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)
And some new color swatches
(Attachment Link)

Ooooh that backlight is awesome!

Dodgy · « **Reply #187 on:** Mon, 10 November 2014, 18:55:09 »

I need a name for this guy

FrostyToast · « **Reply #188 on:** Mon, 10 November 2014, 19:00:52 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Mon, 10 November 2014, 18:55:09

I need a name for this guy
(Attachment Link)

Gnawrly
If I knew what the idea behind this guy was, I could make more suggestions.

GankIndustries · « **Reply #189 on:** Wed, 12 November 2014, 00:51:02 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Mon, 03 November 2014, 09:41:15

Modified the cap so it took backlighting nicely
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)
And some new color swatches
(Attachment Link)

That color scheme on the bottom left is smexy.

Dodgy · « **Reply #190 on:** Thu, 13 November 2014, 19:01:57 »

Quote from: GankIndustries on Wed, 12 November 2014, 00:51:02

Quote from: Dodgy on Mon, 03 November 2014, 09:41:15
Modified the cap so it took backlighting nicely
(Attachment Link) (Attachment Link)
And some new color swatches
(Attachment Link)

That color scheme on the bottom left is smexy.

Hey thanks man. I plan to do a few different designs in that style soon.

Also- I have two designs that I would like to make CAD files for, but I have no clue how- anyone potentially interested in helping me out with that?

dashing_girlboy · « **Reply #191 on:** Sun, 16 November 2014, 02:31:55 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Mon, 10 November 2014, 18:55:09

I need a name for this guy
(Attachment Link)

This reminds me if the acid spitting kaiju from Pacific Rim! D: Acidit?

Dodgy · « **Reply #192 on:** Sun, 23 November 2014, 18:27:05 »

Spending the weekend learning how to do this. Looking OK so far, I think?

Dodgy · « **Reply #193 on:** Wed, 26 November 2014, 20:15:11 »

Bad angle but, here we go

mkawa · « **Reply #194 on:** Wed, 26 November 2014, 20:25:12 »

might want to consider a kinect-based rough 3d scanner to start your parts.. also, rhino might be easier for you to work with since it's spline-based.

exitfire401 · « **Reply #195 on:** Wed, 26 November 2014, 20:32:03 »

Glad to see you're still at it!

cephelix · « **Reply #196 on:** Sat, 29 November 2014, 10:40:43 »

Agree with many of the guys here. That Mister is looking good. Wouldn't mind having a few of them to keep my company on my board.
Any up for sale? Still very new to the forum. Trying to read and learn as much as I can.

Dodgy · « **Reply #197 on:** Fri, 09 January 2015, 17:41:33 »

Quote from: cephelix on Sat, 29 November 2014, 10:40:43

Agree with many of the guys here. That Mister is looking good. Wouldn't mind having a few of them to keep my company on my board.
Any up for sale? Still very new to the forum. Trying to read and learn as much as I can.

Not for sale yet- but soon potentially

Sorry for phone quality,
Still casting the original mister, V2 is currently being machined along with a brand new design I'm super excited to cast. I'll have both in my hands sometime next week.

Really just been keeping busy trying to be creative with my casts. There's been a lot of duds but some cool results. Will post some more when I'm home from work!

cephelix · « **Reply #198 on:** Fri, 09 January 2015, 20:36:58 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Fri, 09 January 2015, 17:41:33

Quote from: cephelix on Sat, 29 November 2014, 10:40:43
Agree with many of the guys here. That Mister is looking good. Wouldn't mind having a few of them to keep my company on my board.
Any up for sale? Still very new to the forum. Trying to read and learn as much as I can.
Not for sale yet- but soon potentially

Sorry for phone quality,
Still casting the original mister, V2 is currently being machined along with a brand new design I'm super excited to cast. I'll have both in my hands sometime next week.

Really just been keeping busy trying to be creative with my casts. There's been a lot of duds but some cool results. Will post some more when I'm home from work!

Those look nice...keep up the great work!onward and upward! hope i can get my hands on one....i just need one.....but all these caps get bought up so fast

MessyCaps · « **Reply #199 on:** Sat, 10 January 2015, 04:40:35 »

Quote from: Dodgy on Fri, 09 January 2015, 17:41:33

Quote from: cephelix on Sat, 29 November 2014, 10:40:43
Agree with many of the guys here. That Mister is looking good. Wouldn't mind having a few of them to keep my company on my board.
Any up for sale? Still very new to the forum. Trying to read and learn as much as I can.
Not for sale yet- but soon potentially

Sorry for phone quality,
Still casting the original mister, V2 is currently being machined along with a brand new design I'm super excited to cast. I'll have both in my hands sometime next week.

Really just been keeping busy trying to be creative with my casts. There's been a lot of duds but some cool results. Will post some more when I'm home from work!

How have I not seen your work before? These caps are great I need to keep my eyes open for sales.

News:

Author Topic: Going to give making caps a shot. Interest check and preview. (Read 88098 times)