Bit of an odd one..

[robwizard]

So basically I run a skatepark with a couple of other guys.. it's called The Boneyard. We like bones..

Got a few bones here and there but we want more! I bought a latex plaster mold for making a bunch of human skulls but it takes ages and the plaster isn't that cheap

I tried looking for job lots of cheap, plastic skulls.. Halloweenesque.. no luck!

So I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions about how to maximize my skull crop. I thought I could maybe make a mold out of one of the skulls we already have and somehow coat the edges of it in plaster or plastic or something to make thinner, cheaper and quicker skulls.. If that makes sense?

Would love to know if anyone had any ideas about this?

Cheers

 

[BrokenBiker]

check out Jimmy DiResta on youtube, he has done a few vids using latex to make molds and then make resin or latex casts

 

[MattF]

Papier mache is an old but good method, and it's as close to free as you can get with materials, using old newspapers etc.

 

[mike 109444]

Spray type expanding foam? (use gloves cos it sticks!)

 

[AndyStobbs]

Would you settle for animal skulls? You could get an entire sheep skeleton from Snowdonia, always dead sheep that have fallen.

 

[outofthefire]

fine casting plaster is only £9ish for 25kg, buy some liquid latex off ebay and make some more moulds you'll have a load done in no time. With fine cast you could paint an intial coat then just keep swilling the plaster round the mold so you make a shell rather than filling the whole mould. Fine cast can be used to cast architrave in-situ it goes off that quick (don't mix more than you need) I've done this to make some moulds to cast some ally skulls. You could also just take some casts of the face part of the skulls so you can build up some background friezes. Papier mache is ok but it takes a lot longer to make than plaster.

 

[BrokenBiker]

Would you settle for animal skulls? You could get an entire sheep skeleton from Snowdonia, always dead sheep that have fallen.

that's a good call, I can get you plenty of fox skulls, will be out tonight providing the rain eases off so I can fix the car

 

[normspanners]

So basically I run a skatepark with a couple of other guys.. it's called The Boneyard. We like bones..

Well blow me (thats not an offer btw)
I've been there several times with my lads had a birthday party there once, By the canal ? and the boat yd.
Maybe weld up a large shovel and like BB go out at night, but not with a gun---------???

 

[fixerupper]

Yes , papier mache is okay but very time consuming , heavy and takes ages to dry... I'd have a go with squirty foam or carve some out of polystyrene...jeff..

 

[normspanners]

you could paint an intial coat then just keep swilling the plaster round the mold so you make a shell rather than filling the whole mould.

how about the above idea and combine it with the foam to support it internally, the foam alone IMO wouldnt look right.

 

[normspanners]

http://www.nationaltoolhireshops.co.uk/product/hydraulic-pipe-bender-1_2in-to-2in-for-hire/

WTF?? that got to do with skulls ??

 

[DanielW]

You could try dry wall plaster,think that is £6 a 25kg at the local builders,thing is it will dry rock hard which will last longer than plaster of paris.

 

[DanielW]

oops wrong link....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Latex-Rub..._Ceramic_PotteryMaking_SM&hash=item2c8a6b63ec

 

[outofthefire]

You could try dry wall plaster,think that is £6 a 25kg at the local builders,thing is it will dry rock hard which will last longer than plaster of paris.

Seriously shouldn't you be recommending he get advice from a qualified plasterer dry wall is just that dry plasterboards. Fine casting plaster is gypsum based plaster used for CASTING the other types of plaster Browning used as a base coat on masonry, multi finish is a top coat neither of them suitable for casting, oh and plaster of paris although generally referring to fine casting plaster is a general term for gypsum plaster.

 

[DanielW]

Er no,dry wall will do the job for the mould.

 

[bigbadbugga]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Life-size...pment_Instruments_ET&var=&hash=item2ed0695491

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Human-Ske..._Equipment_Instruments_ET&hash=item233e8a83ec

Find somewhere that makes those type of things^^^^

I'll bet they have a scrap bin full of imperfect mouldings and broken bits you could buy by weight or cheaply.

 

[BrokenBiker]

may be of interest

 

[Jan]

If you make a 2 or more part mold from plaster it can be used to 'slip cast' your items. Once the mold has been made from ordinary plaster and allowed to completely dry you simply fill it with a very liquid form of clay (called slip) and leave it for a few minutes. Once some of the water has been absorbed by the mold you pour off the excess for reuse and leave the rest to dry overnight. Once 'set' the mold can be carefully separated to free the item which can then be fired to give it more strength. Having several molds of each item means you can even set up a production line of sorts.

 

[normspanners]

Hi robwisard
plenty of small skulls in lidl at moment also aldi had moulds of skulls for making cakes out of and thought of you

 

[robwizard]

Cheers mate that sounds great! I will hit them up later in the week!

Cheers