Minis for Pennies - Cheapest Silicone Base Molds Evah - - ̗̀Cheap Miniatures ̖́- - ep15
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Everybody is always asking me how I can get terrain-style miniature bases for just one penny. So today I will finally show you how to make your own super-cheap miniatures with a combination of basement-priced silicone molds and enhanced dental plaster! Now you will have an unlimited supply of penny bases, just like me!
This is a eureka moment for me. Thank you for making silicon mold plaster dungeon tiles so much cheaper.
Glad it was helpful!
wow. the sky has opened and i swear i hear angels
Wonderful job and neat ideas! My tip is to use a mix of water and dishwasher rinse agent (1 or 2 drops mixed in to a small spray bottle) to create "wet water" to allow the dental plaster to flow in the molds much easier (a trick from HirstArts that has stuck with me)
Thank you so much for this info! I've been wanting to try making silicone molds forEVER but the price has kept me away! Definitely trying this out as soon as I have some spare time
I'll have to make a trip to the dollar tree and try this out! I've been wanting to make my own molds, but proper silicone is so expensive!
Great vid. Gotta try out this technique with the cornstarch and silicon.
A bit of a tip. Even though it’s difficult to be picky about such things as of this comment. Try to get vinyl or nitrile gloves. They are far more durable that Latex and an excellent alternative for folks who have a latex allergy.
Fantastic, man. Been looking forward to seeing your next video & you never disappoint. Good work
The Warhammer community will be pleased with this report. So many, many, many... "Corpses".
Dude, what a PHENOMENAL job you just did. I have always stayed away from mold making as proper silicone is very expensive. Thank you so much for sharing with us your wisdom.
100% Silicon, just like my favorite ladies!
Uncle Larry?
I like my molds like I like my ladies. Thick.
XD
XD
I'm not attracted to silicon-based life forms. I came to see how to make silicone bases. 🤣
That was the video I've been waiting for! Thanks Andy!
Thanks for this one; it is (quite literally) a game changer!
I’m really having trouble getting the right mix of corn starch and silicone. On my third try and getting better but nowhere near the consistency yours has. Any tips or cues on the ratio? Also, do you think the oil on your gloves enters the mix as you knead with the gloves?
My best advice is to keep adding starch when your bowl is empty until your dough ball isn't sticky anymore. Oil does get into the dough, but it doesn't hurt the final product at all.
I like the Button idea
You may want to add sine Baby oil they'll last longer and be more flexable
What is "sine baby oil"? In regards to baby oil, it's basically mineral oil with scent added. Mineral oil if often much cheaper and since it is a mineral and not organic material, it may be better for coating the gloves as well.
@@stevenvarner9806I think it was meant to be “some” and not “sine” lol.
Thanks for the inspiration!
These are awesome!
So, update on the hole crazy idea of using chewing gum, bubble gum, gum, etc. The mix hasn’t hardened, although it’s a bit rigid. Sadly, once I tried to take out a lid from a juice container, hopefully trying to do a base from that, the gum-mold, opened up to much. It did not maintained the lids form. I’ll do more experimenting with glue and or water and gather more info on that.
The crazy experiment doesn’t end there, oh no my friends. Now I want to see if it is possible as to make gum-putty. Boil it, smash it, put it in a stew…well not that. Really, is to see if I can do a seudoclay, molding putty, epoxy, you know what I mean. The stuff that I came up with is just weird and funny. I used the same old mix, but with glue (wood glue). Balancing it with the starch until it did not got stuck on my fingers. Left it some minutes to dry, maybe an hour. Decided to do some small spikes. Finally using a damped brush I smoothed it a bit (to much will damage your sculpt) and gave it up to three cores of wood glue. The result is a very rigid stuff. But still maintaining some of the flexibility of the gum and glue. It also has a bit of bounciness to it.
I am very happy with the results btw. I’ll still see what I can do with the gum-mold idea 😅.
Lol good job
@@DungeonMiser I really don’t know why I decided on this idea. But, it’s been fun lol. So, yeah, thanks for the inspiration.
Do you make your own sculpting tools
What Brand of Paint and brushes you use
Is there a amazon link to the plaster you use? Or how do you source it?
I recommend Merlin's Magic Plaster but a google search on hobby stone or dental plaster will get you what you need
Is the pigment in the food coloring necessary, or does it just make it look pretty?
The water in the food coloring is necessary to cure the silicone. You can use a few drops of regular water if that's all you have
@@DungeonMiser Thanks!
I have 90% of an 18lb bag of joint compound powder I was started experimenting with like your bases. I know it's not the same thing, but since all the stuff I'm adding is free I thought I'd mix some glue, sawdust and sand in and maybe it would be durable enough. What are your thoughts? Ever tried it?
Sounds worth a try to me. Let me know how it goes
Do you use Epoxy ckays
How dare you tell me what to do! *Makes chocolate molds*
We need a nothic video.
Coming up!
Can you use this kind of mold for minis? PS thanks for the video.
I wouldn't recommend trying to cast pewter, but resin will cast nicely
Inspired again.
boardgamegeek.com/image/5682372/miscellaneous-miniatures-game-accessory
Is the food coloring just to have colored moulds or does it have a function in the mixing process? Great video btw, short and to the point.
Water activates the vulcanization of the silicone, so you can use a few plain drops of tap water instead. I like to use food coloring to visually show that it is fully mixed up.
@@DungeonMiser I see, that's a good idea.
Absolutely been waiting for this one, and definitely did not disappoint! I've been using old fender washers recovered from the side of the road as bases for things, myself... but those only get so big. Wish I had this video when I was making my huge elementals hehe... Still got one to go though.
I like old Finder Washers
Mix Spackle with Craft Acrylic Paint
Brush it on while it wet I sprinkle on
Dry tea Leafs
Great :) That home made silicone mix works a treat, just wish I'd thought of oiling the gloves before working it last time I used it XD
It makes all the difference. Without oiled gloves, that crap just gloms into the gaps between your fingers like it's sentient and trying to hide.
@@DungeonMiser Pretty much! I will keep that in mind for next time I wrangle it. Thanks again!
So, what is the ratio of glue and water to plaster?
1 part glue to 6 parts water is a good start. Adjust it based on your climate until you like it.
How durable are the pva plaster bases? Will they hold up for travel?
So adding the glue gives the final product a slight flex, so much more durable than plaster alone, but I could break it if I was really rough. For travel, I would switch PVA for an equal amount of wood glue. It's a little more expensive, but still cheaper by far than anything else, and wood glue + dental plaster is virtually as durable as PVC or vinyl.
Thanks for the recommendation.
Where does one buy dental plaster?
Crazy thought…but hear me out, but it’s crazy. Molds, but…made from chewing gum. Gum and corn starch, but I think one would need glue. To give it that plasticity and hardness, once it dries it.
I would love to hear opinions on this, for real. Just so you all know, I’ve made my first attempt. It didn’t have glue in it and it’s Hubba buba gum.
FYI, you can *always* find poker chips at thrift stores.
Mind-expanding stuff. I may attempt the Silicon mold + plaster trick in the future. Certainly less expensive than resin.
Some people like to magnetize their bases. I can imagine it's possible to press a small hole into the plaster while it's semi-soft using some round object (like the end of a wooden dowel). To establish the space for the magnet.
Actually, you could just press the magnet into the plaster itself. That's where it'll end up anyway.
Great tips thank you very much
This is genius!
Very useful video, I recently found your channel and it really is a hidden gem. Not too many channels out there that deal with making your own minis with very basic materials.
So how flexible are those silicone molds? Commercial molds are very flexible and can be reused several times without tearing. Do these hold up after multiple uses?
Very flexible, and the thicker the tougher. I've had several for about 6 years, still going strong.
@@DungeonMiser
Sweet!
I believe I may try making these for some resin dice I had in mind. Thanks a bunch!
Baby powder or talc. Better than corn starch.
Most baby powder now is corn starch and labeled "talc free." You can buy talc still of course, and one cheaper source is the talc used for bicycle and motorcycle tires. It's called "tire talc." This is also good as a release powder for vulcanized rubber molds used to pour lead-alloy or pewter miniatures. Since this is not pharmaceutical or cosmetic grade talc, it's wise to wear gloves and a good mask to avoid any fibrous ("asbestiform") crystals in the talc. This is why corn starch may be a safer option.
Just getting into miniatures and such. Your tutorials are so helpful! I had one quick question. Around 8:48 you show some bases with really beautiful curved smooth edges towards the bottom of the photo. Were those made with the mold system and with a button or a smoothed wooden disk as the base? I really like the look of those specifically.
The original base was from the Warmachine line, probably the 40mm size.
great video! is this safe to drill holes through?
Absolutely. This is the same material used in kitchens and bathrooms worldwide