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Creativity => Customs => Topic started by: Crowning_Glory13 on December 21, 2016, 05:47:17 PM

Title: Working with resin
Post by: Crowning_Glory13 on December 21, 2016, 05:47:17 PM

I have seen resin stuff all over the place. It looks fun. If anyone out there can give me some advice.

What do I need to get started? Any simple projects out there to start on? Any frustrations as you work projects?

How does resin work?

I just keep seeing neat projects from pony to small flat stickers and they say they make them with resin. Peeked my interest.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Uninu on December 22, 2016, 04:00:07 AM

I've played a bit with resin casting and, well, it is not as glorious as it may seem. Resin is toxic and it can be messy and it costs a lot. Plus you need silicone for molds in most cases and silicone is even more expensive than resin itself. It is fun in the end, but I didn't find it fun enough to keep practicing it for that cost.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Raindrop on December 22, 2016, 07:29:39 PM

Molding with resin is not easy, and there is a learning curve involved.  I would recommend watching some YouTube videos to get an idea of what you are getting into and beginning with small, simple 1-piece, flat-backed molds.  Complex 3-D shapes often require a multi-piece mold and undercuts can cause complications.  Bubbles in the resin are a common problem, and a vacuum setup to remove the bubbles is pretty costly.  You have to measure and mix the parts very carefully to get the right proportions or the material won't cure correctly.  Be sure that the type of resin you use is suited to the size of the item you are molding--some of them generate heat as they cure and may not be suited to larger items, and others may shrink as they cure.  I recommend using gloves and protecting your workspace well--the chemicals are not good for you and are hard to clean up.  As Uninu says, the resin itself and the material for molds is expensive.  Dyes cost on top of that. 

Not to discourage anyone--it's just not a cheap or an easy hobby :).  Start simple, and realize that there will be a cost for experimenting and learning to work with the material.  You will not be able to mold something like a pony without a lot of experience and sophisticated molding techniques.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Crowning_Glory13 on December 22, 2016, 07:59:05 PM

And this is why I get opinion from the arena. I love the honesty and facts. Thanks for the insight. I had no idea it's toxic to work with.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Aflame on December 23, 2016, 09:05:34 AM

i made the celestial ponies in resin  plus a see through one
visitors can't see pics , please register or login
 (http://s561.photobucket.com/user/Aflame26/media/IMG_7464.jpg.html)
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 (http://s561.photobucket.com/user/Aflame26/media/IMG_7467.jpg.html)
these are my first ones and yes i watched a lot of you tube vids on how to do it and i mean watched and rewatched and rewatched !!!! xaflame

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: brightberry on December 23, 2016, 09:32:06 AM

Those are lovely!  Nicely done.


My niece and I play with Easy Cast resin and use silicone molds meant for candy.  It's not so bad when you're only doing small projects.  But it's messy if you aren't careful and very, very permanent.

Soap is a much safer project.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Crowning_Glory13 on December 23, 2016, 05:11:44 PM

I love those resin ponies...that peeked my interest so much. I am taking notes so keep it all coming.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: glitterball on December 23, 2016, 07:48:01 PM

Quote from: Aflame on December 23, 2016, 09:05:34 AM

i made the celestial ponies in resin  plus a see through one

Oh, they are amazing!  :heart:

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Uninu on December 23, 2016, 08:39:26 PM

Resin ponies are so gorgeous. :drool: I'm a bit sad I didn't like working with casting.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Aflame on December 24, 2016, 02:04:06 AM

i did want to do more poses but the silicon is so expensive i could only do one at the time !

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: pinkkittywinks on December 24, 2016, 03:42:55 AM

Quote from: Crowning_Glory13 on December 22, 2016, 07:59:05 PM

And this is why I get opinion from the arena. I love the honesty and facts. Thanks for the insight. I had no idea it's toxic to work with.

It is toxic and you can be allergic to the chemicals too. It's pretty smelly as well, so it's best to do it in a well ventilated space.

My friend casts a lot and she comes up in a rash to most resins (she's tied a lot of different types and brands) :( she wears a fully body, hooded overall and mask when she is pouring, casting and sanding!

Resin fascinates me, I'd love to try it, but I feel intimidated by it.

Love pkw xxx

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Aflame on December 27, 2016, 02:14:06 PM

you just have to take the plunge and try it ! it can go wrong but its fun when it goes right and yes do it with the window open or better in an out building if you have one i don't have a shed so i do it by the window and i sand out side with swimming goggles  and a mask on i get some very funny looks some times :)

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Crowning_Glory13 on January 02, 2017, 11:22:56 AM

Is there other things to use? I want to make replicas if things like wands and such. Simple fun things that I can melt and put into a mold.

Are there other things beside resin?

I live with my in law that has horrible azma. I could not use resin due to that.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Taxel on January 04, 2017, 03:57:40 PM

You could use polymer clay! Its safe, nontoxic, and can be cured at home in your regular oven. The Blue Bottle Tree is a wonderful source of tested, accurate information for all things polymer clay. Here (https://thebluebottletree.com/polymer-clay-information-articles/) is an overview of some of the most helpful posts. These ones will probably be most helpful to you as a newbie for these kinds of projects: Tips for Beginners (https://thebluebottletree.com/polymer-clay-tips-beginners/), What’s the Best Polymer Clay Brand? (https://thebluebottletree.com/best-polymer-clay-brand/), How to Buy (https://thebluebottletree.com/how-to-buy-polymer-clay/) (Sunny Day Crafts (http://sunnydaycrafts.com/claytools.html) is my recommendation for clay), and Using Silicone Molds (https://thebluebottletree.com/using-silicone-molds-polymer-clay/)

The big thing to watch out for with polymer clay is that there's a TON of downright wrong information out there. Because its so readily available so many people buy cheap poor quality clay, make something, and consider themselves an expert. So many tutorials are wrong in ways that will cost you time and money.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Crowning_Glory13 on January 04, 2017, 04:20:55 PM

Thank you:)

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Snapdragon on January 04, 2017, 11:25:19 PM

WOW those resin ponies are stunning, Aflame!!! ^_^ I hope to try casting a pony, someday soon, but I'm gonna try practicing on a smaller mold first, like a petite!! I've worked a little with 'doming' resin, but I'm sure molding will cause its own set of issues!

I also highly recommend working with resin outside, if you are able - it's powerful stuff, and you can't be too safe with your health!

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Wardah on January 07, 2017, 08:32:53 AM

Has anyone tried Composimold?

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Crowning_Glory13 on January 07, 2017, 10:16:25 AM

What is Composimold?

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Wardah on January 07, 2017, 12:33:41 PM

Quote from: Crowning_Glory13 on January 07, 2017, 10:16:25 AM

What is Composimold?

It's a mold making substance that melts in the microwave.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Crowning_Glory13 on January 07, 2017, 01:36:51 PM

Ooooh that sounds fun

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Shaiyeh on January 17, 2017, 03:10:02 AM

Aflame - those resin ponies are awesome! How did you manage to make the mane and tail holes? Are they hollow?

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Diamond on January 17, 2017, 12:20:36 PM

I have an issue with casting existing copyrighted items, but that is a discussion for anther thread.  If you want to get an idea of casting Brick in the Yard has beyond excellent videos and supplies as does Smooth-On.  Resin is used a great deal in my hobby, mostly for folks who make original sculptures which they cast and sell.  I plan on trying it with some medallions this summer.

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: sd_dreamcrystal on January 23, 2017, 05:48:27 AM

I asked a company about stuff like Composimold.. it's great but the downside is that you DO need to watch out if the resin gets too hot in the curing process. You can't use a quick cure resin with it

Title: Re: Working with resin
Post by: Aflame on January 29, 2017, 05:00:17 AM

no they arnt hollow they are solid ( and quite heavy) i drilled holes for the mane & tails ,they are very slightly bigger all over than the actual pony used to make the mould as the silicone shrinks  away from the moulded item, or the one i used did  aflame