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Moldmaking plastified cardboard boxes for molding?

Jul 18, 2011

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    1. So, when I prepared my mold for the first time I used prepared wood and although this works really well, it's also time consuming, 'cause I don't have enough wood to build all the mold boxes in one go.

      I do, however, have enough laminated cardboard boxes. I just don't know if these will hold during the curing. Have any of you tried this? Is it safe to use?
       
      #1 Silk, Jul 18, 2011
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    2. Yes, you can use your plastified cardboard boxes for making mold boxes.

      This post might give you some ideas?
      http://atelierpoupee.blogspot.com/2011/07/knees-n-2.html

      I used cereal box cardboard, and poured hot-pour moulage into them.
      I have also used cardboard mold boxes to pour plaster into.
      With plaster, I usually seal the cardboard with shellac first,
      but if you are using plastified cardboard, you could skip the sealing.

      Most BJD molds are on the small side, so cardboard is strong enough to make a mold box.
      See the Silicone Rubber Mold Making Tutorial by Donn Kinney of Bishonen House link:
      http://www.denofangels.com/joints/showthread.php?t=3942
      That shows a three-part 1/3 size torso being molded in silicone rubber in a cardboard mold box.

      Tim Bruckner, in the book, Pop Sculpture also uses lightweight materials for making mold boxes for making silicone rubber molds.

      Some of the doll makers here, at The Joint have used lightweight materials for mold boxes as well.

      The most important thing, it seems, is to seal up the seams really well, so your mold material doesn't leak out all over the floor before it sets up.

      :)
       
      #2 kwmelvin, Jul 18, 2011
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    3. Thanks for the link to Donn's moldmaking 'tutorial'. I knew I've seen someone using cardboard before.
       
      #3 Silk, Jul 18, 2011
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    4. I used thick cardboard from Ikea boxes for my mold boxes, but I sealed each side with clear packing tape to make sure it would be sturdy enough and nothing would leak through. I had no problems with it! :D
       
      #4 Renzi, Jul 18, 2011
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    5. I really like the PVC pipe coddles that twigling and glimmer have used when making silicone rubber molds. The PVC pipes were cut with a gentle "S" shape so they fit back together perfectly. These PVC pipes can also be banded together tightly when pouring resin.
       
      #5 kwmelvin, Jul 18, 2011
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    6. I use PVC pipes for small molds, and corrugated plastic for larger molds. The plastic is folded at three of the corners and cut/taped at the fourth. Also use plenty of plasticine to seal the bottom edge. You could use cardboard or plastic coated cardboard too.
       
      #6 twigling, Jul 18, 2011
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    7. @Renzi: That was my thought as well (the clear packing tape).
      @Twigling: Plasticine is no problem. I had to use it to make sure silicone couldn't seep through the sides of the wooden boxes I made before.

      thanks!
       
      #7 Silk, Jul 19, 2011
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    8. For most molds I use Legos...on one of those large bases...they seal well, can conform closely to the shape needed and are reusable...
       
      #8 jco415, Aug 6, 2011
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