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Showing posts with the label how-to's

Results from Squash Casting

My first few attempts at squash casting using melted down sprue plastic. I'm not too happy with them yet, having attached them temporarily and compared with the original part. I'll be attempting some more castings and will hopefully come up with suitable replacements. BTW, having a motor tool is a must imho. Squashing the melted blob of plastic creates a thick backend that is a b#tch to sand off.

Squash Casting

 Work on the 1:35 SU-122 continues as I try to replace some missing parts thru squash casting. Squash casting is a technique to reproduce simple parts using a one-part mold. Here's a link to where I first learned about it. For the 1:35 Tamiya SU-122 project, I realized that I had lost 2 viewport hatches for the tank destroyer's superstructure. Luckily though, I found one of the three hatches and decided to try squash casting replacement parts.For this attempt, I'll be using an A/B epoxy putty for both the mold and the replacement part. Depending on how it looks, I might try a different material later on such as glue-softened sprue plastic. Anyway, I mix a batch of the putty together by kneading vigorously the resin and the hardener components and roll them into a cushion-like ball. After the colors had evened out to a neutral color, I split the blob into two and use the plastic hatch part I have left to create an impression on one side of the balled-up putty. ...

Useful Article on Photographing Model Miniatures

Every model makers wants to share his best work thru pictures. Military Modelling's Mark Bannerman shares some tips and tricks to taking better pictures. Check out the article here.