Has anyone ever seperated the halves of a seapony shell?

[Purpleglasses]

So I recently acquired my first sea pony shell. I like it so much that I have decided to make a mold of it, so my other shell-less sea pony can be displayed in a shell and so that I can make reproduction shells for others. Of course I would modify the reproduction slightly so it would not be confused with an actual pony shell. It seems there are more sea ponies than shells floating  around, and it would be nice for people to be able to have them.

One thing I've noticed is that the original shell was cast in two parts, with seperate molds for the top and bottom parts of the shell. Later in production the two halves were attatched. My question is, has anyone ever separated the two halves of the shell without damaging either? Perhaps to clean it, and maybe using some kind of glue dissolving solvent?  I have ideas for casting the shell in one piece, but seperating the halves cleanly might make the process easier.

Thanks in advance!

[nhal039]

With a tug they will detach, i have had them shipped to me this way many times. I dont think the to bits r glued are glued together so no damage should occur.

[LightingElectricDream]

Do you have swirled shells? That would be cool!

[Purpleglasses]

Thanks for the advice, Nhal039! I'm glad to hear it's a reasonably common practice. Does anyone have more advice or photos on how to do it, though? Do you tug up or to the side? Do you boil the shell, like you would to remove a pony head? Use floss or thread around the seem?

LightningElectricDream, I don't have a swirled shell, just the usual clam shell. But if I did I would make a mold of that too!

[nhal039]

I separate them still when packing to move. Just hold near the 2 joins and pull and wiggle slightly one i have to pull really hard but it gets there and is fine still

[Gizmo]

I'd be interested in your repro shells, please keep us updated!

[LadyMoondancer]

Great idea!  I only have one sea pony shell for all my sea ponies.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

You would have a great market if you can reproduce them!    best of luck figuring all that 3D stuff out!

[hathorcat]

As nhal has said, they come apart relatively easily and there is no glue holding them together. The fact they come apart so easy is why so many of them end up loosing their suction cups

I am sure you will get lots of interest in repro shells.

[LightingElectricDream]

I'll buy one!

Buy! Buy! Buy! Buy! Buy!