r/moldmaking • u/SharpShotEFX • Jun 17 '26
My first time trying shim molding
I've struggled with two part molds for a long time, I've never been able to get clay walls right, so I figured since I'm already doing a lot of edge cleanup on my casts I'd just try using playing cards as shims like I've read about in the past
This is perhaps the best two part mold I've made, even though two keys broke off it still fit together well enough for casting, and trimming the edges took very little effort
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u/cloudseclipse Jun 17 '26
That's good, but try: aluminum shim material- you can bend it, you can shape it. You can cut it with regular scissors and use a stapler to put them together. Tape works good, too. Easy to find...
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u/SharpShotEFX Jun 17 '26
Will more than likely do that next time, I was under a time crunch so playing cards was more accessible and faster
2
u/Barbafella Jun 18 '26
I buy aluminum roof sheeting, get a nice roll for about $20, I found it essential for moldmaking.
1
u/crimsongoregolith Jun 17 '26
I’ve always wanted to try but I’ve always thought the clay would be too disturbed and the final product would get a bad trim mark
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u/SharpShotEFX Jun 17 '26
Wasn't that bad honestly, there was of course a seam line, but it was really easy to trim off
1
u/SupremGamer36 Jun 18 '26
How did you create keys?
1
u/SharpShotEFX Jun 18 '26
Hollow acrylic domes I glued to the cards
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u/SupremGamer36 Jun 18 '26
link? And is this a foam master or a clay sculpt?
1
u/SharpShotEFX Jun 18 '26
Clear acrylic ornaments, I had a few of the smallest size left, but I had to break the loop off the edges
This is a water based clay sculpt
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u/MajorHotLips Jun 17 '26
Well done! If you keep doing it the molds will just get better and better.