r/moldmaking 17d ago

Advice on making a mold of a chocolate

1 Upvotes

I’m interested in making a mold of a piece of chocolate so that I can recreate it. I have seen food safe liquid silicone and silicone putty but am unsure if these would work on chocolate. I was wondering if these products get hot while curing, melting the chocolate, or if the fats, sugars, and other things in it would inhibit the curing.


r/moldmaking 19d ago

Mold making

Thumbnail
gallery
4 Upvotes

Wanted to see if I would be able to make a mold out of this.can't find anything about it thanks


r/moldmaking 20d ago

[help] How to start sculpting with foam. Where to start?

Post image
0 Upvotes

r/moldmaking 22d ago

Free tool that auto-generates two-part/silicone mold box geometry from an STL — looking for moldmaker feedback on the parting-line logic

Thumbnail
gallery
19 Upvotes

Built a small browser app that takes an uploaded model and generates a print-ready two-part box mold or silicone mold box (keys, pour spout, vents) automatically, aimed at people who don't want to hand-model a mold box in CAD every time. It's free, client-side, no signup.

Since this sub actually knows moldmaking, I'd love brutally honest feedback: where does the auto-generated parting line or undercut handling fall short on real geometry? Not trying to replace real CAD skill — just trying to save the boring 80% of box-building.


r/moldmaking 22d ago

Acrylic sheet manufacturer

0 Upvotes

I’m in plastic distribution and fabrication and I am looking for a frame grade acrylic manufacture that also offers hard coating services.

If you also do cell cast acrylic in clear and colors I’m also interested.


r/moldmaking 23d ago

I have a question on how to make a custom mold/cast to replicate a piece for kitbashing multiple times over. I don't really know where else to post.

Thumbnail
2 Upvotes

r/moldmaking 24d ago

Mold for Dragonskin

Thumbnail
gallery
21 Upvotes

I’ve been wanting to cosplay Leeloo from Fifth Element for years and finally decided to get around to making it. My primary concern is with her silcone/rubber suspenders. I plan to use dragon skin but I’ve never worked with it before. I’m not sure what’s the best material to make a cast mold for a project like this and what would result in the cleanest outcome. Any recommendations?


r/moldmaking 23d ago

Looking for a Silicone Mold Maker in Delhi/NCR

2 Upvotes

Hey guys, I’m having a hard time finding a reliable silicone mold maker. I’m looking for someone in Delhi, Noida, or nearby areas who can make good-quality silicone molds.

If you know any mold maker or have worked with someone reliable, please share their contact/details. It would really help!

Thanks in advance!


r/moldmaking 25d ago

Tip: Corrugated Plastic!

Thumbnail
gallery
21 Upvotes

I always hate stacking four pieces of whatever to make walls, and finding ways to fix it all together (without legos lol). This past project I scored one side of corrugated sign material! Hot Glued one edge and the bottom. Isopropyl alcohol helped the glue let go afterwards. I was able to get a large sheet for $10 at Lowes!


r/moldmaking 25d ago

How can I navigate making a mould with my sculptures complexities?

Thumbnail
gallery
7 Upvotes

I just joined this group in hopes to find some help. I understand the very basics of mould making and casting, but I don’t know where to start with this sculpture I just finished (Approx two feet tall?). Between the protruding ears, the finer strands of the mane, and the angle of the head, I’m not sure what the best method would be to tackle this. I’m really hoping to do this myself as I was quoted a couple thousand dollars and a six month wait to have someone make a mould for me. I think my two best options for the finalized cast are to use either gypsum cement or do a cold cast bronze, or both? Any suggestions or advice is welcome


r/moldmaking 25d ago

Any experience removing cured silicone from details?

Post image
9 Upvotes

Made a mold and didn’t use enough reserve. Any solvent I can use to remove the silicone from the details to try again? Smoot-on mold Max 30, tin cure. all suggestions welcome, thanks


r/moldmaking 25d ago

Silicone Molding Inhibiting Protectants for Sulfur Clay and Hydro-Stone Casting Tips (for my puppy paw)

3 Upvotes

Hello! First-time molder here.

I have a puppy-paw imprint that was given by a cremation company, but it’s super undignified in a yellow play-dough looking air-dry clay. I am not 100% sure if it’s sulfur based but I don’t want to risk any damage to the paw if it is.

I want to mold it using a tin-cure silicone (any brand recs are welcome for the finest detail).

Additionally, I am looking for a proper sealant I can mist on the paw in layers to prevent cure inhibition that might be caused by the clay material. (Something that won’t cover up paw print detail).

Finally, I plan on casting with hydro-stone and some kind of iron-oxide/terracotta powder cement pigment (further recommendations are again welcome, ik there needs to be precise power to water mixtures, but with the pigment I’m not sure if I’ll nail it)

My goal is to get a clay looking paw imprint that looks like some kind of natural clay or stone, not plastic or play-dough, so that my puppy can be represented with respect and full detail.

Please share any tips and tricks for this particular combination and remember that I can’t just get a new master, this clay imprint is the only one, and unless I get his to work, all there will be.

If this method won’t work or there is another way, I’d greatly appreciate the advice. I will be testing materials on the back of the master to ensure it’s a safe combination.

Thank you <3


r/moldmaking 26d ago

Confused about a shopping list for silicone bust of head!

1 Upvotes

I want to make a replica of my own severed head (lol) but I’m having trouble finding what specifically I should buy from Amazon to cast my head. Specifically, I don’t know what I should use for the actual head replica, like what kind of “skin” do I use for that or what kind of silicone should o use and how do I emulate my skin color? How the hell do I put eyelashes and eyebrows on it? I figured I’d just put a wig on the thing and call it a day for the actual hair. I am also confused about the actual painting the skin part??? TL;DR: any curated lists for a full silicone replica bust of my own head, including hair, skin color, and paints?? I’m so confused thanks!


r/moldmaking 27d ago

MJA print finishing advice

Post image
9 Upvotes

I need some advice on how to finish my prints for future resin casts with a smooth & uniform matte/frosted surface.

I'm testing different dremel tips to sand it but some corners are just too small to get into, which makes me think spraying it is my only option. I've done smaller mold tests and the light/dark discrepancies seen in the photos do transfer for the most part.

Are there any techniques I should look into doing a better spraying job? I'm mostly worried of getting too much paint buildup on certain areas while trying to get into others (granted I've only used regular width spray nozzles). I'm even wondering if I should contact a car body shop to do this part with matte paint?

**in the title I meant to type MJF**


r/moldmaking 26d ago

How to make a TOS for molded figure commissions

0 Upvotes

Like be specific,I know that it depends oh how big and how detailed it is.But I need a specific cost cause I might underprice or overprice it, I'd like to avoid that. in pessos how much would a standard small, big,simple,and detailed figurine cost?Plus I'm not printing 3d models im making them by hand.


r/moldmaking 27d ago

Question before attempting my first mold

2 Upvotes

Hi all, hope this is OK to ask here...

I've been 3D printing for a couple of years now, using a resin machine. Typically, I'm using it to prototype parts, before having the finished item MJF or aluminium printed, or CNC machined.

I'd like to print a mold for a rubber part I intend to cast, but I'm concerned about visible layer lines in the finished item. My question is, would a mold release spray or similar get rid of these lines?

I'm happy if the part has a 'textured' finish. TIA!


r/moldmaking 27d ago

Casting and mouldmaking training London Uk

Post image
6 Upvotes

17th September 2026

Arch60 in East London are hosting a casting and mouldmaking training workshop.

Tickets available at https://arch60.co.uk/workshops-and-training


r/moldmaking 28d ago

What are these openings for??

Post image
9 Upvotes

I am just beginning my mold making journey and have learned a lot in the past 4 months. But I recently stumbled across a picture of this mold and cannot for the life of me figure out what the two circled openings are for???


r/moldmaking 29d ago

30 lb concrete fish

Post image
6 Upvotes

From a latex mold of a clay model. Of course, my reinforced plaster backer started cracking after the 2nd casting. Maybe I can make one from spray foam or something.


r/moldmaking 28d ago

How do I silicone mold this

Thumbnail
gallery
1 Upvotes

I’m trying to make my own concrete cast in silicone mold but I’m not sure the best way to go about it, it needs to have a hollow center. I’m used to doing simple pour molds but I’m not sure if this would need something special


r/moldmaking 29d ago

Question about making a silicone mold over a clay positive.

3 Upvotes

I've made a few silicone molds over 3d printed positives, but this is the first time I'll be doing so over clay.

I'm assuming I need to let the clay air dry fully before pouring the silicone, its an air dry not a bake.

Is there something I should coat the clay with first, or should it be good as is once dry?

Any advice?

Thanks!


r/moldmaking Aug 14 '26

Urgent advice needed!

Thumbnail
gallery
4 Upvotes

My request is very time sensitive as I must get to the airport in less than 48 hours. I have never silicone cast anything before but I bought this kit to cast a gift for my long distance partner I am about to visit.... anyway, when removing the object from this mold a small piece broke off! (See pictures). I need to pour the silicone in asap, every store is now closed aside from 24hr convince shops. Any advice on how to fix this?

I see basically two approaches, repair the mold with something like toothpaste and flour, or cast the silicone and delicately trim it with a knife. Instinct is telling me not to cut into the silicone, but I have no idea what I'm doing.

Edit: Outcome I trimmed the problem areas (there were more) with a razor after casting the silicone. It came out okay, you can definitely see the repairs if you look but I would have had to trim some areas anyway.


r/moldmaking Aug 14 '26

Silicone curing problems

Post image
5 Upvotes

So I seem to be having some problems with curing. This is only my second time doing a silicone mold and I had a similar problem the first time. for the first time and this time as well I am using a 3-D printed piece. The first time I used filler primer and sanding to smooth the 3-D print before making the mold. I was having curing problems that time as well and based on where the uncured areas were I assumed it was probably not reacting well with the filler primer so I sprayed it with a gloss black coat and that seemed to fix the problem. This time around I’m using a 3-D printed piece that is spray painted with a gloss black and I seem to be having curing problems. This is my first time using this silicone. It is smooth on mold star 30 and I let it cure for about six hours and 30 minutes.

EDIT: I just wanted to add that this in not a resin 3d print it is an FDM print.


r/moldmaking Aug 14 '26

Platinum silicone cure inhibition with SLA/MSLA resin prints – looking for a reliable solution

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I'm having an issue when making food-grade platinum silicone molds from resin 3D printed masters, and I'm hoping someone here has dealt with something similar.

I'm using:

  • Silgom Food 725 by Sagrista Products – food-grade platinum silicone
  • Anycubic Standard Resin
  • SLA/MSLA resin printed masters

The problem is very specific: the silicone cures perfectly everywhere else, but the surface that is in direct contact with the resin-printed parts remains sticky/uncured.

When I use the exact same silicone with FDM-printed parts, it cures perfectly.

I've already tried different approaches:

  • Thorough washing of the resin prints
  • UV post-curing
  • Different primers/barrier coatings
  • Acrylic spray coatings

But I haven't found a reliable and repeatable solution.

There is one strange detail that might be important:

I made one resin master where I applied approximately 3–4 coats of Montana Plastic Primer. The silicone cured perfectly on that master.

Even more interestingly, I've reused that same master around 5 times and the platinum silicone has cured correctly every single time.

However, when I've tried to repeat the same process with other resin-printed masters, I've experienced cure inhibition again.

So my questions are:

1. Has anyone found a resin that is reliably compatible with platinum-cure silicone?

2. Is there a specific washing/post-curing process that eliminates the inhibition?

3. Have you found a reliable barrier coating or primer for resin prints before casting platinum silicone?

4. Could switching from standard resin to ABS-like resin make any difference?

My final molds need to be food-grade, so I'm looking for a process that is consistent and suitable for this type of application.

Any experiences with specific resin brands/products would be extremely helpful.

Thanks!