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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: kentuckyshark on Fri, 20 March 2015, 16:32:15

Title: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: kentuckyshark on Fri, 20 March 2015, 16:32:15: Thought I would give it a try. I know there is so much room for improvement, in probably every aspect imaginable (I'm sure the Hobby Lobby supplies aren't exactly the best for this)

Any and all comments/criticisms/insults welcome!
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: heedpantsnow on Fri, 20 March 2015, 16:34:46: Not bad for a first attempt!
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: Huxley2500 on Fri, 20 March 2015, 17:37:07: What is it?
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: eth0s on Fri, 20 March 2015, 17:37:58: What was it?
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: FoC_Tow on Fri, 20 March 2015, 17:47:53: +1 Definitely not bad for a first attempt! :thumb:

It looks like you pretty much only have bubbles on the surface and especially in the small corners of the mold,
so maybe just a bit of rattling/tapping of the mold could help loosen bubbles from corners and already improve the final result big time!
Definitely keep it up :)
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: suicidal_orange on Fri, 20 March 2015, 18:12:03: I think it's a face with bushy eyebrows and a mustache, maybe a goatee too?

It would be much easier to comment/criticise if you'd made it in not transparent, but if it fits pretty tightly on a switch you've got one hard part down already :)
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: kentuckyshark on Fri, 20 March 2015, 18:38:04: suicidal_orange on point! Sort of a colonel sanders with a monocle instead of glasses.

I didn't want to go all out with different resins/dyes before I got my feet wet. I opted for transparent since I thought it would help me learn to manage bubbles a little easier, but I didn't realise how hard it would be to photograph. I am casting another one with a lot more dye in it to hopefully make one that is more photogenic.

My first attempt I forgot to put mold release on the top of the mold... so the stem got ripped out of the mold, learned a little failed a lot as I expected. This time around I wasn't expecting much, just hoping not to destroy the mold basically. I was really surprised with how it came out, and while it could fit a bit tighter it holds on good enough for me to keep it on my board for now!
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: Binge on Fri, 20 March 2015, 23:48:25: Nigel wants to know what you've done to his brother!

(http://i.imgur.com/fRS5npq.jpg)
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: kentuckyshark on Sat, 21 March 2015, 10:52:18: Ha, I hadn't seen that one... the similarities are striking lol.

Just pulled out another one w/ more dye:
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: Liar on Sat, 21 March 2015, 14:31:06: I like it, reminiscent of the Monopoly Man or a bearded Mr Peanut
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: noisyturtle on Sat, 21 March 2015, 18:22:45: Reminds me of Sir Hammerlock
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: Binge on Sat, 21 March 2015, 19:02:55: Quote from: kentuckyshark on Sat, 21 March 2015, 10:52:18
Ha, I hadn't seen that one... the similarities are striking lol.

Just pulled out another one w/ more dye:

That's looking better and better. :)
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: cmadrid on Sun, 22 March 2015, 15:20:34: Cool! :D
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: hwood34 on Mon, 23 March 2015, 15:00:27: Quote from: noisyturtle on Sat, 21 March 2015, 18:22:45
Reminds me of Sir Hammerlock
that's a spot on comparison
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: ander on Thu, 26 March 2015, 17:56:28: Dude, it's quite admirable what you're doing.

Since this one's transparent, you do have a bit of leeway that would be more noticeable on a solid colour. And I think these guys are just giving you a hard time about the shape... However you make it, it's your creation and the most important opinion about it is your own. Carry on!
Title: Re: My first attempt at casting a cap
Post by: Tasker on Sat, 28 March 2015, 07:28:48: Looks pretty cool. What kind of materials did you use to sculpt and then cast it? Definitely seems good for a first attempt.