Richard48
SMF Supporter
Doing a great job Neil.Another sculptor to join the figure buffs here.
Rich
Blitz AFS Fireman Bust Sculpt ,1-10 scale
- Thread starter Neil Merryweather
- Start date
Rich
Neil Merryweather
SMF Supporter
These AFS boys’ uniforms have VERY distinctive buttons
So I thought I had better try and show them. I found a couple of ‘domey’ things the right sort of sizes( main and epaulette) in the spares box and dived in with the Duro to see if I could get something like it
I’ve got to say I am really chuffed with these- I really didn’t expect it to be possible. They are 3.2mm and 2.4mm diameter respectively.
I need 6 big ones and 2 small ones and there’s no way I could repeat that so I need to mould them. I used SilliGum – a two-part, fast-curing silicone rubber putty- to make a press mould.
They are rather small to mix up a batch of resin for, so I tried out the UV fly-tying glue that I used on Douglas Bader’s goggles.
It worked well after a few false starts. I had to cure the buttons with the UV torch, then glue them to a piece of sprue so I can hold them.
It is very difficult to see whether they are successful casts so I sprayed them grey.
This one is clearly a reject
Having selected the most promising ones I cut the tops off with my jeweller’s saw, and sanded the backs for a shallower dome shape.
I thought I had better paint them silver and give them a black wash to be sure they are actually good enough.
Close, but no cigar!
I think I could get away with the lettering, but even after sanding the shape is too highly domed. They also should have a rim, which I haven’t done
So it’s back to the drawing- er, sculpting board.
Thanks for looking
Neil
So I thought I had better try and show them. I found a couple of ‘domey’ things the right sort of sizes( main and epaulette) in the spares box and dived in with the Duro to see if I could get something like it
I’ve got to say I am really chuffed with these- I really didn’t expect it to be possible. They are 3.2mm and 2.4mm diameter respectively.
I need 6 big ones and 2 small ones and there’s no way I could repeat that so I need to mould them. I used SilliGum – a two-part, fast-curing silicone rubber putty- to make a press mould.
They are rather small to mix up a batch of resin for, so I tried out the UV fly-tying glue that I used on Douglas Bader’s goggles.
It worked well after a few false starts. I had to cure the buttons with the UV torch, then glue them to a piece of sprue so I can hold them.
It is very difficult to see whether they are successful casts so I sprayed them grey.
This one is clearly a reject
Having selected the most promising ones I cut the tops off with my jeweller’s saw, and sanded the backs for a shallower dome shape.
I thought I had better paint them silver and give them a black wash to be sure they are actually good enough.
Close, but no cigar!
I think I could get away with the lettering, but even after sanding the shape is too highly domed. They also should have a rim, which I haven’t done
So it’s back to the drawing- er, sculpting board.
Thanks for looking
Neil
Neil
As an alternative try pressing a suitable dome shape into some magic sculpt. pull it out and then press the letters, in reverse, into the inside of the dome shaped socket. I find that pressing the letters in is easier than trying to sculpt them. When it's set you simply press some magic sculpt or similar into the rigid moulds you have shaped.
John
As an alternative try pressing a suitable dome shape into some magic sculpt. pull it out and then press the letters, in reverse, into the inside of the dome shaped socket. I find that pressing the letters in is easier than trying to sculpt them. When it's set you simply press some magic sculpt or similar into the rigid moulds you have shaped.
John
D
Deleted member 6559
Guest
Brilliant work Neil. You're a talented man.
Richard48
SMF Supporter
Very inovative Neil.I like using the Gedeo silicone stuff for press moulds,Great for making ear moulds and badges etc.
Keep it up chum.
Rich
Keep it up chum.
Rich
Neil Merryweather
SMF Supporter
thanks John, I hadn't thought of that- it sounds difficult-presumably the letters have to be backwards? I will give it a try if the next batch fails,though
Neil Merryweather
SMF Supporter
thanks Peter
Cheers Mick
ear moulds? sounds like a good idea - I HATE doing ears
Gets more technical every time I look in Neil, what with fly-tying glue, molds etc there a lot to this sculpty dark art. Most impressive with the detail you are trying to produce .
Neil Merryweather
SMF Supporter
Whilst gathering the mojo for another bash at the buttons I made the chin strap and the oilskin hood.
It was a bit of a wrestling match but I think I just about won. I used crinkled up greaseproof paper to impress the texture on the Duro-seems to have worked. Fortunately it’s very stiff so the Duro didn’t need much wrangling into drapery.
It’s getting there.
It’s hardly worth bothering with the shoulder buttons, but I will, because we will know, won’t we?
thanks for looking
Neil
It was a bit of a wrestling match but I think I just about won. I used crinkled up greaseproof paper to impress the texture on the Duro-seems to have worked. Fortunately it’s very stiff so the Duro didn’t need much wrangling into drapery.
It’s getting there.
It’s hardly worth bothering with the shoulder buttons, but I will, because we will know, won’t we?
thanks for looking
Neil
Great work Neil.
Steve Jones
Steve Jones Scale Modelling Site
Ditto. Great to see
Neil Merryweather
SMF Supporter
cheers guys
Neil Merryweather
SMF Supporter
I have had another go at the buttons. This time I domed the end of a piece of plastic rod- 2.5mm & 1.5mm. I got a better shape this time and added a definite rim, but the lettering is not so sharp, being smaller, I guess.
Using the different coloured Duro makes it easier to see but it’s not so helpful for assessing the depth of relief.
I refined the moulding process this time as well. I used a sheet of clear plastic packaging as the carrier, which meant I could shine the UV torch through it on to the glue in the mould.
I still had to saw them off the excess resin and sand the backs down , which has removed my fingerprints…
They look like crusty roman coins
I've decided to use these for the hidden ones behind the undone tunic and under the respirator, and make a couple of individuals for the exposed front ones- I have repositioned the respirator which has meant that only two are visible now .
I did a slightly better job his embroidered badge
although for some reason I keep thinking of Jurassic Park.....
thanks for looking
Neil
Using the different coloured Duro makes it easier to see but it’s not so helpful for assessing the depth of relief.
I refined the moulding process this time as well. I used a sheet of clear plastic packaging as the carrier, which meant I could shine the UV torch through it on to the glue in the mould.
I still had to saw them off the excess resin and sand the backs down , which has removed my fingerprints…
They look like crusty roman coins
I've decided to use these for the hidden ones behind the undone tunic and under the respirator, and make a couple of individuals for the exposed front ones- I have repositioned the respirator which has meant that only two are visible now .
I did a slightly better job his embroidered badge
although for some reason I keep thinking of Jurassic Park.....
thanks for looking
Neil
Neil very nice
D
Deleted member 6559
Guest
That is looking very good indeed Neil. He looks like Bob Peck in Jurassic Park.
Neil Merryweather
SMF Supporter
Cheers Lee
Thanks alot ,Peter.
Yes he does look like Bob Peck, but I was thinking more of the logo.
Thank you John, but looking at the quality of the incredible busts you can buy I feel like a novice
Jim R
SMF Supporter
Hi Neil
Your determination and ingenuity does you proud. It is looking excellent.
Jim
Your determination and ingenuity does you proud. It is looking excellent.
Jim
Richard48
SMF Supporter
Certainly not a novice Neil.Sculpting is one of the hardest disciplines to master.The guys at top if their game have done it for years to hone their techniques.I sure wish i had started earlier but with 3.d stuff more prevalent i think it puts some of us off.At times i think i just cant be arsed to devote time to what i do.Im just starting to enjoy things again.Thankfully i sculpted a lot during the first lockdown.
Keep the faith bud.
Richard
Keep the faith bud.
Richard