Casting Pot Metal In A Silicone Mold

In this video I’m casting a small jewelry-sized tiki pendant in pot metal using basic tools and a silicone mold.

[JamesPassmore]

Tuna Crucible would be a great band name.

[eagleironic]

So cool Robert! Can I please request more metal pouring content. Thank you!

[annekabrimhall]

I never get tired of seeing the rubber degassed!

[GRACEAK]

This was ridiculously helpful in my casting project, thank you.

[ralphmourik]

This just popped up in my recommended, probably because I am a hobbyist metal caster. I have cast Pewter(Tin), Lead and Zinc in silicone molds many times, but never made my own silicone molds... yet, so this seems like the right place to learn something new! Subscribed and hit the bell. I'll be watching more of your stuff. 👍

[opieshomeshop]

I haven't cast metal in RTV since my 20s. I was doing gaming miniatures because all my friends at the time gamed with them. There is RTV for high temp applications that will last a long time and then I also got into spin casting where the miniatures are placed around a mold that is circular and the metal is poured in the center of the mold and the spinning action forces the metal into the cavities of the mold and it helps to maintain finer details over just plain casting because shrinkage is reduced. Aside from the fine detail you get you also can produce 10 pieces at once in one casting.

[hopolo]

this video of yours is perfectly timed in regards to an obstacle i'd come across in my own hobby. so cool that you can melt metal in a can and cast it in silicone! i now have to research more about this "pot metal."

[jezfish]

Great video Bob. I make my own pewter using tin and antimony. We dust the cavity with talc powder, extends life of mold and pewter flows easier into cavity.

We would get about 250 to 300 pulls per mould, but would make the pouring gate much thinner and a bit longer. Also allow the mould to cool slightly between casts will extend it's life.

Careful when using metal with lead in it, highly toxic.
Contenti in USA supply pewter ingots and tools.

[chuckbailey]

When you pre-heat your silicone mold in the toaster oven, what temperature do you set it for and for how long? Love your channel!

[nicolafiorelli]

Whew, my Friday night is saved. For a minute there, I thought we were not gonna get a video today !!
Thank you Robert!!!!

[Miscast]

Hey Robert, I've seen some photos of silicone molds designed to fill the object to be cast from the bottom using a spout that travels from the top of the mold, to the feet of the model. Do you have any information on this? I assumed it might be for a better release of air, another mold maker suggested it was for pressure using the weight of the resin itself. I primarily make miniature things- around palm sized, so I'm wondering if this might be of benefit for me to explore. Thanks, Trent

[johnqpublic]

Love watching you. Totally reminded me of watching Andy Rooney on 60min.

[securityrobot]

That was very insightful - I didn’t realise the process would be more involved. Some handy tips and advice. Thanks.

[georgetteassenetcardieldue]

Thank you for this video! I love how considerate you are for those of us who don't have power tools.
I've been wanting to cast for a while, and now I wee I don't have to have fancy equipment!

[glowpon]

I was thinking about trying this with some bismuth. I wonder how many cycles a mold can handle at bismuth temperatures. Thanks for another informative video. It's Always nice to see new clips from you, always more to learn.

[natew]

I have a few questions. im not sure if you are still making mold making vids or not, but it would be interesting if you could show how to do some mold making techniques involving rigid parts into the silicone. for instance if you was making a hinged ball joint for an action figure. or just a plain ball joint if you are sculpting and making an action figure from scratch. i was reading the POP sculpture book and it really only covers hinge joints. the only way i can figure it out is if you include a positive rigid shape (not resin, probably a metal alloy like in this vid) to dock it in the mold before you pour the resin/plastic to create the negative space for parts to fit together. and take the metal piece out of the plastic after it cures. i have seen other vids you have made and seen that it doesnt make sense to make thin silicone parts cause it would just tear and theres no guarantee that it would keep the shape. thanks.

[annekabrimhall]

I recently used one of these molds to pour melted bismuth in it. It was pretty successful!

[supergiantbubbles]

A stainless second hand measuring cup would make a really handy melting vessel. You won't need to burn it out or sand it.

[camojake]

Such a great video! And honestly I love your humor. Not sure if you write the stuff before or just explain as you're working. Just the little bits of wholesome Sarcasm is so nice nowadays

[johncollins]

I'm planning to try casting with cerrosafe. Now I know a silicone mold will work. Thanks.