Plaster Mold WIP *NEW PICS AND MOCKUP DESIGNS!! 5/27*

[minkster]

I finally got to get off my butt and make a plaster mold. I first took my clay molding and smeared vaseline all over it, so it would be easy to pop off when I took off the cast. Then I added Plaster of Paris with 2 coats of it. The cast was somewhat thick and I waited for it to dry. After that I had trouble taking off the cast from the clay mold. I used an X-acto knife for like a half an hour and then all of a sudden a side broke off I still managed to get the cast off. It didn't look like too much damage was done so I used bondo to place the broken plaster back together. Right now I filled the cast with this plaster from a tub, and I plan on sanding it whenever I have free time from school/track.

It looks pretty good, but I am pissed with the cast breaking on the side (as in the width, not the front of the case) I actually did the cast twice and 2nd time it broke more than the first one. I'm guessing that plaster of paris is too brittle, or maybe its the kind I bought. Eh, next time I'll try wood like marshall did

I'll take pics of it when I get a chance...man I rant a lot

[Turbo Tax 1.0]

just stick your hand in and rip the clay out of the cast. and how much plaster are you using you should just dump a lot on there so its nice and thick

[minkster]

just stick your hand in and rip the clay out of the cast. and how much plaster are you using you should just dump a lot on there so its nice and thick

I dumped a whole tub my friend I may need more...but it looks pretty even for the time being. And I wish I could have ripped the clay out of the cast, but there was plaster that plastered a little big onto the the clay on the other side causing it to be locked in. So I xacto-ed my finger because of that.

[minkster]

I have an update: I am sanding my case down and I have to say its coming along very nicely.

Although, I do have some bad news. While sanding the case, the plaster I added ended up popping out So to make a long story short, I need to fill the inside of the cast again.

I think I know what caused the problem. I forgot to wipe the excess vaseline from the inside of the cast, causing it to partially stick and not let the plaster dry all the way. I plan on getting some more this weekend and I was wondering if I was able to bake plaster in the oven so it dries more quickly (this means adding the cast in there filled with plaster). The last time it took about a good 10 days to seem like it was dry enough to work with, but aparently it wasnt since it popped right out.

[minkster]

Here are some pics





I decided to scratch the plaster cast idea after failing 5 times. I used my clay mold and some spackle to get a nice mold out of it. So far its turning out nicely. I still have to pick at the imperfections such as the couple of minor dents. I should probably fill them with bondo or more plaster. What do you guys think so far?

[Fanboy]

Could you PM me an outline that I could stick on an actual piece of wood? Maybe I could make a bass out of that...

[blackbox_dev]

@Fanboy: I think it looks to "straight" to be a guitar or bass body. As well as having no neck pocket, etc.

[Turbo Tax 1.0]

that looks good but maybe to thin to form over, you usually want your mold to be an inch or two thicker than the desired thickness of the case because you can always take off but its hard to add more thickness. maybe throw on another layer of clay, it will make it much easier to form your case. i like the design though

[dankicksass]

Could you PM me an outline that I could stick on an actual piece of wood? Maybe I could make a bass out of that...

That's more violin sized than guitar sized, by the look of it vs the snes pad. You're best off purchasing rather than building a musical instrument of any kind, unless you're building a reed flute.

[minkster]

Could you PM me an outline that I could stick on an actual piece of wood? Maybe I could make a bass out of that...

The closest thing I have to that is my concept outline http://www.benheck.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=11268

that looks good but maybe to thin to form over, you usually want your mold to be an inch or two thicker than the desired thickness of the case because you can always take off but its hard to add more thickness. maybe throw on another layer of clay, it will make it much easier to form your case. i like the design though

Hmm...I will keep that in mind..I hope more clay would stick to the rest of the mold with plaster in between I'll see what I can do.

[minkster]

UPDATE: The mold is now a little more than double in size. In fact, its looking pretty good. I still have to sand it down more, and add more plaster in the remaining imperfections. Here are some new shots:
The first one is the new thickness of the mold.


And this second shot is a mockup of my design with it being bondo'd in after a nice vacuum forming.


It's really turning out great It takes time and patience...but in the end it will be worth it with a really nice case. Post some feedback please

Also, finals are coming up soon...so I won't have much time to work on it until schools out...I may squeeze some time on the weekends if I'm not studying.

[Turbo Tax 1.0]

looks good, when are you gonna form it?

[minkster]

looks good, when are you gonna form it?

Thanks, I'm gonna form it once I order plastic, and fill in a couple small dents so it it looks real smooth. So then, when I vacuum form it, the plastic will look just as good as the mold.

Turbo, I remember you saying that you found a cheap online store that sells plastic, where do you buy yours from? Thanks

[Turbo Tax 1.0]

i posted it in the sticky

[minkster]

D'oh! Wow, that is really cheap, very nice find. For only $9.76 I could get 8 pieces 12x12, 4- 12x24, 2- 12x48, 2- 24x24, or 1- 24x48. I'm guessing the 8 12x12 pieces would be fine,what would you recommend turbo?