[Robotgroup] Resin casting (Re: Prop class)

[Robert Carter]

Hi everyone--

Rick asked me about resin casting back in October, when I brought in  
my fiberglass mask. Afterwards I thought about what it would take to  
have a demo class on casting, but polyester resin is the only casting  
material with which I have any experience, and it's nasty stuff. One  
shouldn't work with it without goggles, gloves and a GOOD respirator.  
I only own one respirator, and I don't know if it would be reasonable  
to expect everyone to buy/borrow one for a single workshop.

For the last few months I've meant to investigate whether there are  
less toxic materials that one could use. I haven't done any casting  
in the last few years, but I used to get a lot of supplies from The  
Compleat Sculptor Inc. (outfit based in NYC). Their online catalog  
includes a product called AquaResin, "an easy to use, non-toxic  
sculpting resin". Might be worth trying out, TCS sells a modestly  
priced ($16) one pint trial kit. Might be worth trying out, unless  
someone already has experience with a different non-toxic casting  
material.

Also, when I spoke to Rick about casting I made a mental note to  
bring in a copy of their latest print catalog. It turns out they  
stopped producing a print catalog a few years ago, now they just list  
their products online. Their website is http:// 
www.thecompleatsculptor.com.

Regards--

Robert

On Feb 6, 2008, at 9:36 PM, Paul Atkinson wrote:

> I'm under the weather and interested too! Hope to be better soon.
>
> Interested in putting electronics into props and learning about  
> mold making
> and resin casting.
>
> Paul
>
> On Feb 6, 2008 1:45 PM, john at cozmicfunk.com <john at cozmicfunk.com>  
> wrote:
>
>> OK, it seems we have some interest in this idea.
>> First off I propose this question for you: what do most of the RG'ers
>> want to get from this workshop?
>>
>> * Are you interested in: 1) working props, 2) robot props, 3
>> )miniatures/models,  4) art pieces, and or the process of 5)  
>> designing,
>> 6) building, 7) electrifying (LED installation), 8) animating  
>> (motor or
>> servos), and or 9) circuit bending, 10) kit bashing and 11) toy
>> conversion etc.
>> I would like to get a consensus of what is most important to the  
>> group
>> because we can approach this many ways.
>>
>> For example, I can personally bring some subjects for my film  
>> including
>> J-65. I have documentation on my web page:
>> http://www.cozmicfunk.com/J65Robot.html   and some video and can also
>> show and tell how and what I did to get the end result.
>>
>> I also propose to really make this engaging, that everyone who is
>> interested bring their own idea for their own prop, robot art  
>> piece etc.
>> and bring parts that you want to make this object from, maybe someone
>> also has a stockpile of garbage (discarded toys etc) they can  
>> donate. I
>> think every participant should walk away from this with a tangible
>> starting point for their object etc. We could even have multiple  
>> classes
>> through the year if that is what interests people out there. We could
>> even make it a simple contest at the end for the group to judge  
>> on, have
>> categories or whatever, just throwing ideas out there for you. Most
>> important: everyone have fun, learn some news skills, build something
>> new and create friendships and co-operation within the group.
>>
>> Again, these are my suggestions! please add or change anything here.
>> After we decide on the class, then we can lock down a date that suits
>> everyone :)
>>
>> JPF
>>
>>
>>
>> Def Egge wrote:
>>> Been under the weather but I am interested.
>>>
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>> Quoting Denise Scioli <morg80 at hotmail.com>:
>>>
>>>
>>>> Feb. 9, Feb 16, (both for morning or afternoon), Feb 23 (morning
>>>> class), Mar 1 (morning or afternoon)
>>>>
>>>> Let me know if any or all are interested.
>>>>
>>>> Denise
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ----------------------------------------
>>>>
>>>>> To: robotgroup at puremagic.com
>>>>> From: marvart at txwinet.com
>>>>> Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2008 11:24:35 -0600
>>>>> Subject: [Robotgroup] Prop class
>>>>>
>>>>> Count me in John! I can really get into it and be a good hand.  
>>>>> At the
>>>>> present moment, I am recovering fro a week long case of the new
>>>>> strain of the flue which came out of our lab . We were trying  
>>>>> to use
>>>>> the flue virus as a base for a nano-biomechanical. It was a  
>>>>> complete
>>>>> failure and the lab has been sealed off. I hope to be released in
>>>>> time for Thursday's meeting.  Marvin aka Prof. C.
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Robotgroup mailing list
>>>>> Robotgroup at puremagic.com
>>>>> http://lists.puremagic.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/robotgroup
>>>>>
>>>> _________________________________________________________________
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>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
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