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TangerineDreams
05-11-2012, 11:06 AM
Hi I am trying to make moulds for resin bangles. I have one bought mould that works fine but I want to try different sizes and shapes. I have tried making moulds with acetate but find it takes a really long time and by the time Ive finished sticking it down with the glue gun the shapes all distorted and the acetates gone all wrinkled from the heat so the bangles dont come out brilliantly.

I want to try using gelflex but wasnt sure if it would melt the cheap plastic bangles I am trying to make a mould of as it gets very hot!

There must be a way to make moulds for resin where the finished resin product that comes out looks good and is a nice even shape that someone would actually wear (mine are far from this at the moment!)

Thanks
Antonia

caroleallen
05-11-2012, 02:18 PM
When I did a course with Kathy Murphy, we made moulds from silicon rubber. I'd suggest buying her book. You can get the silicon from here http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/CFS_Catalogue__RTV_Silicone_559.html

TangerineDreams
10-11-2012, 10:28 PM
When I did a course with Kathy Murphy, we made moulds from silicon rubber. I'd suggest buying her book. You can get the silicon from here http://www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/CFS_Catalogue__RTV_Silicone_559.html

Thank you, I will look into that! I think I might have her book already so will have to have another look at that!

While I'm asking do you know what the best thing to polish resin by hand with is? I have been trying Brasso but I can't get a high shine with it!

Thanks for your help.

caroleallen
11-11-2012, 07:39 AM
I've never tried it but I would think micromesh would work well. You can get it here http://www.axminster.co.uk/micro-mesh-soft-touch-pad-abrasives-prod804806/

trialuser
11-11-2012, 10:42 AM
or here (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MICRO-MESH-MICROMESH-POLISHING-KIT-9-SHEETS-6-X-4-/320956999050?pt=UK_Crafts_Other_Crafts_EH&hash=item4aba87258a&_uhb=1) :)

Dennis
11-11-2012, 02:54 PM
If you are going to do this long term, then you will need much less elbow grease if you have a polishing lathe or a bench grinder, which is much cheaper. Try our search box above for these terms.

Once you have this you can go directly to a green or brown Scotchbrite mop for removing bumps and getting a satin finish. After that you will need two separate mops: A calico one for emery compound and a cotton one for Vonax, which gives a mirror finish. You will soon learn not to press hard and to keep your piece moving in different directions so as to avoid tramlines an burn marks.This is also a problem if you don't have a choice of speeds on you motor.

Another way to make resin cuffs is to cut strips from sheet and heat them in your kitchen oven prior to bending around a wooden mandrel or rolling pin. This will need much less finishing. Dennis.