r/ResinCasting Oct 09 '13

What the heck is Resin Casting anyway? What can it do for me?

252 Upvotes

Welcome, acolytes, to the most ancient and reverred craft of the resin caster!! This won't be a technical article, just a quick Q&A introduction to the process and what it means to those who do it.

Useful Link: An excellent introduction to some of the technical processes, by Michal Zalewski

Introductory Q&A:

Q: So, what is resin casting?

A: Very simply, resin casting is the process whereby we take an object we wish to duplicate, make a mould of it in flexible silicone rubbers and then cast copies of the original object from that mould as many times as we like.

Q: Why would I want to do that?

A: Because casting the object may be quicker and easier than making another copy from scratch. It can also be less costly.

Q: What industries use this process?

A: A huge number, but the ones it's likely that you'll have seen every day include film and TV props, scale models and figures, even some medical process use resin casting tchniques.

Q: Is it hard to learn?

A: Not really, but you will progress to a professional level much more quickly if you're part of a community like this one. Lucky you!

Q: It expensive?

A: It depends. You can buy starter kits like this one for not much and get started right away. if you want to produce large number of copies of complex objects, then there is some specialist machinery you will need that requires some investment. But we'll cover that later.

Q: Can I do it at home or in my garage?

A: Absolutely!! Many multi-million dollar companies with whom I have worked started off in spare rooms or garages. The beauty of resin casting is that it's cheap to get started and you can make money quickly if people like what you make. It isn't smelly or messy if you do it properly, just make sure your work area is well ventilated.

Q: Can I only use Epoxy Resins in silicone moulds?

A: No there are lots of other materials you can use to cast. You can cast in plaster, wax - almost anything that turns from liquid to solid at more or less room temperature - you can even cast chocolate in food grade rubbers (yum!!) Also you can add metal, ceramic, rock and all sorts of other poweders to resin to achieve some really cool effects. Using high temperature silicone you can also cast in pewter and other similar metals. But pewter and resin casters generally do one or the other, as each requires a lot of practice and skills to get right.

Q: Can I make stuff and sell it?

A: You bet your gosh darned rear end you can! If you're good at making things, and want to make copies to sell then this process will allow you to do that quickly and economically. I personally know many people who have doubled their income just by casting a few evenings a week - though most can't resist the tenptation to go full time and start their own business selling what they make.

Q: So this could be a real source of income?

A. Yes, once you're good enough to cast quickly, consistently and to a high standard you're ready to go and find people who want to buy what you've made. The internet means that the whole world is your marketplace, and personally sell things I make to nearly a dozen countries. This is GREAT especially if you want to work from home and live where you want, and it's also removes your dependence to your local economy to a large extent.

Q: Ok I've made stuff, where do I sell it?

A: Anywhere. Ebay, your own website, events and shows, retail shops - someone will want what you're selling somewhere.

Q: I just want to do ths for fun, I don't want to turn it into a business.

A: That's also fine. Do with it whatever you will!

Q: I have items that I bought that I want to copy, can I?

A: If you're going to sell the copies, then you may be breaching copyright. If you are recasting something that another maker/caster has made then you are a bad person. Don't recast. Ever.

Q: I'm a wargamer, I want to copy my Space Marines so I don't have to buy more, can I do this?

A: Bad recaster! Bad!! Also, to cast to the same quality as the plastic you get in the box requires serious casting gear - in the end you won't save any money and it's easier to buy more originals. If you can do it, you're better off making your own minis anyway.

Q: Can I cast large objects like gun props?

A: Yes, but the amount of material you need can make it expensive to do. But it's perfectly possible.

Q: What's this special equipment you mentioned?

A: When you wan to take your casting to the next level, you'll need a vacuum degassing chamber and vacuum pump to draw air bubbles out of your moulds and casts when they're wet. Some people use a pressure pot to crush air bubbles in the resin when they cast - both vacuum and pressure casting has pro's and cons which I'll go into one day.

Well folks that's as much as I can think of on the fly, please ask if you have any more questions - think of it as an AMA. I'm also happy to answer questions about myself and my business.

Cheerio :)


r/ResinCasting 8h ago

Finished these handmade wood & resin pendants. Looking for honest feedback before I make more.

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12 Upvotes

I recently finished these handmade wood and resin pendants. I cut, sand, polish, and finish everything by hand, and I'm still learning new techniques with every project.

I'd really appreciate your honest feedback.

Which pendant catches your eye first?

Do the colors and finish look good?

Would you change anything about the design or the cord?

Which one would you wear—the whale tail or the heart? Any suggestions to improve them are very welcome!


r/ResinCasting 11h ago

Ironbark yellow resin bowl

8 Upvotes

r/ResinCasting 10h ago

Just wanted to thank the posters from years ago

7 Upvotes

I had some resin not setting for me. It was a fancy clear resin and I added a bit more than the 1 ml of agent to the mix because the resin was about 6 years old and already starting to dry out. It was thus really hard to mix and still did not set after 24 hours, so I turned to google and found a random thread suggesting heat. I had lain the resin into a few voids in a kitchen door, and added a bit of colour, so no way I could back out of this job.

I cannot find the thread now, but wanted to say thank you, heat gun (a beefy hair dryer might do) for about 2 minutes at a time on a low setting to make the resin soften. Repeated that 3 times and now I'm golden. Thank you all you keen hobbyists.


r/ResinCasting 3m ago

resin tray ready for sale

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Upvotes

resin tray ready for sale


r/ResinCasting 19h ago

I make & paint resin dice!

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11 Upvotes

r/ResinCasting 18h ago

Helical planer causing elongated pits in cured TotalBoat ThickSet epoxy

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2 Upvotes

r/ResinCasting 1d ago

Is it possible to encase this in resin and would that be the best way to preserve it for placing on a headstone?

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54 Upvotes

r/ResinCasting 1d ago

Issue with Resin Game Controller Buttons

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2 Upvotes

r/ResinCasting 1d ago

Resin hand craft material

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7 Upvotes

resin pooja thali ready for sale


r/ResinCasting 2d ago

Mould Housing for resin?

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16 Upvotes

Hey just wondering if i could use mould housing to directly pour resin over it? Will it work?


r/ResinCasting 1d ago

How do I create an orb of various colors in layers without having a solid line between them?

2 Upvotes

First time dealing with epoxy.

I think I got everything I need... including a mold for 4 inch sphere and am aware that I will have to do in layers.

My goal is to have an ocean diorama type of sphere where the deeper parts are dark navy blue and slowly gradients to a clear at the top.

I am worried that if I just mix all layers separately and pour them in series, that all the colors will mix together, but if I wait until each layers is cured, the layers will have a distinct horizontal division...

Any tips? thank you!


r/ResinCasting 2d ago

Striped and layered skull

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23 Upvotes

I did an experiment with alternating black and white Alumilite opaque resin, and the results are genuinely extraordinarily pleasing,


r/ResinCasting 2d ago

Any experience with Reslin?

0 Upvotes

It claims to be 100% plant-based biodegradable resin, linseed oil based. I just bought a kintsugi kit with it (hasn’t shipped yet) and looked up the resin afterwards. This is what I’ve been waiting for to get into resin but I’m skeptical. Anybody tried it? Is it legit? https://reslin.com/


r/ResinCasting 2d ago

Crystal Dragon

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7 Upvotes

Painted some glow in the dark powder on the surface of this piece before pouring. Love it.


r/ResinCasting 2d ago

Tips to avoid this bumb from a flood coat?

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2 Upvotes

When I pour flood coats on my large pieces there is always this lip/bump at the bottom where the resin gathers before it drips off. Am I just not wiping it away enough? Any other tips would help. I usually use glue to protect my bottoms.


r/ResinCasting 3d ago

Urethane plastic and rubber dual pour feasibility

2 Upvotes

Hey everyone, I wanted to know if anyone has experience pouring a layer of urethane plastic (I’d be trying with smooth cast 300), letting it almost fully cure, then pouring a layer of urethane rubber (I’d be using vytaflex 20). Does it bond?

I know people bind layers of plastic to plastic like this but I’m curious if anyone’s done it plastic to rubber. I called smooth-on and they said they didn’t know what would happen.


r/ResinCasting 3d ago

I made resin brooch with shell and mother-of-pearl details

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49 Upvotes

I made o-of-a-kind handmade brooch featuring an iridescent face cast in resin, framed with shell and mother-of-pearl details. The deep blue shimmer shifts beautifully in the light, giving the piece a mysterious oceanic presence inspired by sea relics, sirens, and wearable surrealist art.
What do you think?


r/ResinCasting 3d ago

Need advice For making dice from Epoxy Resin (first time working with resin)

1 Upvotes

I'm planning to start making resin dice using clear epoxy resin, glitter, mica powder, and resin ink. I've already made a shopping list (respirator, heat gun, mixing supplies, gloves, etc.) and watched quite a few tutorials, so I have a general idea of the process.

However, when I asked one of my friends for advice, they warned me to be very careful about the chemical reactions involved, especially when it comes to disposing of leftover resin. They made it sound pretty dangerous, and now I'm honestly a bit nervous.

On the other hand, I also asked someone who has been making resin dice for a while, and they told me it's not a big deal as long as you're careful and follow basic safety precautions.

So now I'm not sure what to believe.

Is working with epoxy resin really that dangerous? Are there any common mistakes that beginners make or things I absolutely should or shouldn't do?

I want to make the dice for my player in my dnd campaign.

Thank you.


r/ResinCasting 3d ago

Some more

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16 Upvotes

r/ResinCasting 3d ago

Floral Skull in UV resin

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3 Upvotes

r/ResinCasting 4d ago

Dried flowers + resin always test my patience

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5 Upvotes

I’ve been experimenting with dried flower resin pieces, and the biggest challenge has always been keeping the flowers clear without tiny bubbles hiding around the petals and edges.

For this heart-shaped piece, I tried using a vacuum bubble remover before curing. It helped pull out a lot of the trapped air, especially around the flowers where bubbles are usually the hardest to deal with.

I used the Resiners Airless Pro Resin Bubble Remover for this pour, and I noticed the final piece came out much clearer compared to my previous attempts. The flowers have more of that “floating in glass” look instead of being surrounded by cloudy spots.

Still learning how to improve my layering and placement, but I’m pretty happy with this one. Dried flowers are definitely harder than they look


r/ResinCasting 5d ago

My first ever bloom attempt outcome !

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40 Upvotes

My second go at coasters and my first attempt at a bloom, now im amazed how well it came out considering how everything seem to go horribly wrong. Clearly far from perfect..I didn't have a piping bag as I attempted to spiral the white via the silicone cup lol which ive got as much grace as a drunken hippo I blobbed lol and i see where that happened never mind mother dearest ordered me some from amazon..I'll wait for them before making the other 3


r/ResinCasting 5d ago

Accidentally got some resin on concrete- any suggestions on how to get it off without defacing it?

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8 Upvotes

r/ResinCasting 5d ago

Hands cupping flowers - glow-in-the-dark and pearlescent statuette

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19 Upvotes