Author Topic: Making Shoe Molds YAY! update it worked! (Read 1239 times)

mermaid_splash · « **on:** February 10, 2013, 02:33:28 PM »

Okay so I am photographing this as I go not only for myself but for anyone else so inclined to make a shoe mold. If you saw my previous custom resin shoes you would know I purchased my mold online, I didn't fabricate it on my own.

So since I think I am just as skilled and patient as most crafters out there I thought I would give it a try. So here is my documentation of first attempt and failure.

Even though I need to wait 24 hours to be sure, I know I failed.

Step one mold set up
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I think this is where I failed honestly. I need to get the shoes to stay down. The silicone is heavier than they are. The shoes moved around several times during the pour. I have no idea if they are sitting on the bottom now or suspended in the silicone. Next attempt I will try to putty them securely to the base.
Step two weigh the rice!
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It was suggested by the manufacturer to use rice for weight not water since then you will have to wait for your mold to dry.
Step 3 prepare your materials!
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Step four mix extremely well.

Step five position cup with materials on a table more than 30 inches above your mold. This is if you do not have a vacuum compressor which I do not. The silicone flows through a 1/2 inch hole and stretches as it travels down to your mold. This is supposed to eliminate all (lol unlikely) bubbles.
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Step six be patient, very patient it takes forever for that mold to fill.
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Step seven don't cry when it wasn't enough mix, make more even though you know its messed up.
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Enjoy and I will let you know what happens and add pictures tomorrow when I bust my shoes out.

I figure with how much mix I used I may be able to try twice more. Then I think I may give up.

Shoes came out, mold might be useable. Just poured the resin in 10 minutes ago

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Final edit, they aren't perfect but some sanding will help. There was a fault in the mold (my fault) so at least I know I did it right and I can do it again.
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lierne · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2013, 03:55:02 PM »

Neat. I tried making torso molds for a while last year and gave up after being only 80% successful. It was a slightly different method though. What is the rice for?

ivybunny84 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2013, 04:10:03 PM »

good luck i hope it works!!

kamakazee82 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:10:54 PM »

my dad's friends used to use wax to stick his items in place, use a cnadle to build up a smallish column of wax, with the last drop of wax, you plunk the item on carefully and voila, it was stuck, suspended in the mold solution ... granted you needed to plug the hole in the mold or trim the excess resin off when you cast the mold ... but it worked lol

i really wish he still did that stuff lol he could make a FORTUNE right now lol

and i ave faith in you!

YOU CAN DO EET!

bewilderness · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:29:25 PM »

The next time I try making a shoe mold, I'm thinking of trying low-temp hot glue to hold the shoes in place. I've had them float up into the silicone and had to carefully cut them out.

mermaid_splash · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2013, 05:48:04 PM »

Quote from: lierne on February 10, 2013, 03:55:02 PM

Neat. I tried making torso molds for a while last year and gave up after being only 80% successful. It was a slightly different method though. What is the rice for?

I used the rice to pour into the mold and then weigh to figure out how much of the mix I needed to use.

And thanks for the tips/encouragement everyone. I'm bummed but like I said I can try at least twice more before I run out.

Diamond · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2013, 11:50:49 AM »

I would suggest trying a smaller container. Alot of model horse peeps actually use lego bricks (or mega if your child would kill you for using her legos) you make a square and stick the item in the middle of it and pout the molding material around and over it. Might help with shoes.

Best of luck and I am sure you shall figure it out.

mermaid_splash · « **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2013, 12:23:22 PM »

Good thought, what I have is the right height, but definitely a little on the wide side. We have a ton of duplos, but I'm not sure if they are leak proof.

CrazyCatPony · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2013, 03:58:01 PM »

I soooo want to learn how to do this!!

FairyDust · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2013, 10:12:21 AM »

I've never tried to mold MH shoes but I've made molds for Jem shoes. I use a glue stick (I use a glue stick to stick them onto a sheet of wax paper where I can build my mold walls out of legos, also waxed party cups are great for making small molds too) to make a sort of seal for the bottom of the shoe which helps keep it in place. If you are molding closed toed shoes make sure you get any bubbles out of the toes. I hate when I forget that lol. Can't get the feet in if there isn't a space.

mermaid_splash · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2013, 02:31:00 PM »

Updating to say it *might* work! I'll know in the morning one way or another, resin has been poured

jupiternwndrlnd · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2013, 03:53:15 PM »

yay! i hope it works

PonySeeker128 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2013, 05:36:29 PM »

Can't wait to see how they turn out!

mermaid_splash · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2013, 03:09:25 PM »

I have shoes! Woohoo!

Foxy_Ninja · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2013, 03:12:14 PM »

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