Masks and other Art

[Unorthodox]

They close down near you? 

Wonder how the smooth on version stacks up...

[Buster's Uncle]

No, it's an annoying distance from the interstate, and not a very well-maintained Hobby Lobby...

The Jebus mold is made out of the stuff, and it's worked pretty well - there is a split in the indentation under the chin, but it hasn't seemed to affect the castings much so far. -Sign that the stuff will suffer a fatal tear all too soon, though.

[Buster's Uncle]

I can see a very modest flaw on the casting from the tear, that doesn't show in flash photographs at all - and the other flaws, minor, all appear to be tiny bubbles in the plaster or knife marks on the wooden original...

[Unorthodox]

I would think a two piece mold would actually work rather well for this process. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Experience has made me not a fan of plaster molds...

[Unorthodox]

Didn't say plaster.  I would think the putty could make a 2 piece mold fairly easy and cut down on your tearing issue. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Hmmm.

[Unorthodox]

In fact, springing for some pourable silicone and doing a 2 piece mold inside a pillar form (if you have one) to act as a mother mold would likely be ideal for many of those. 

or even caulking.  These seem ideal for that method. 

http://www.instructables.com/id/Using-Silicone-Caulking-to-Make-Molds/

[Buster's Uncle]

I've not had great experiences with the pourable stuff - nasty/sticky to work with and tears too easily.  Way too expensive.

[Buster's Uncle]

I've read that new mold putty will bond to old - you suppose a little coat of Vaseline would prevent that in making a two-part mold?

[Buster's Uncle]

Heeeey - why two parts?  The stuff's flexible, so one part with a seam on one side would achieve what you're talking about, and be easier to deal with.  I'm still thinking about how to hold it shut, it being flexible, so can't just wrap it in a bunch of rubber bands...

[Unorthodox]

I've read that new mold putty will bond to old - you suppose a little coat of Vaseline would prevent that in making a two-part mold?

I'd use dawn out of habit, but vaseline should work. 

[Unorthodox]

Heeeey - why two parts?  The stuff's flexible, so one part with a seam on one side would achieve what you're talking about, and be easier to deal with.  I'm still thinking about how to hold it shut, it being flexible, so can't just wrap it in a bunch of rubber bands...

I'm not that experienced with the putty.  If a seem wouldn't continue to tear, it could work.  You'd need a mother mold to hold it closed.  Though I've used duct tape successfully for those. 

[Buster's Uncle]

I bet a sort of grooved interlock would work with the rubbery stuff.

I see online that Walmart is supposed to stock it -that's a great deal closer, loathe as I am to throw them any business, either- I think I'll be putting my shoes on and actually spend some money today...

[Buster's Uncle]

$#@! - a double dose of feeling powerless.  The Walmart didn't have it, and my car didn't quite make it home.