What rock molds do you use and from where?? Just wondering what brand, size rock molds do you use and where they can be purchased?? I know some are better.... "more detailed sturdier" than others just wondering what you prefer..
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I have used a variety of molds, including some from Scenic Express. Here's an example:
http://www.sceneryexpress.com/.../productinfo/WD1244/
I attend a number of train shows and the larger shows will usually have the mom and pop vendor who is selling their own homemade rubber molds - imagine a selection of 20-30 molds in various shapes and sizes. I've seen them at the Springfield MA show and also the Milwaukee Trainfest. Some of these mom and pop variety are much more flimsy (almost like a thick latex glove) compared to the Scenic Express versions but they all hold up well and do the trick with very good detail. I would err on the side of thicker rubber molds if I had a choice in front of me but they all work fine in my experience.
I use standard plaster of paris which I tend to purchase at walmarts, Lowes, HD etc. I try to get it as cheap as possible (one guy at a hardware store gave me the contractor's price becuase I was buying a lot of it for a while). The small containers are good and keep the mess under control. I tend to mix a small 8lb pail and fill all my molds at the same time as you can never have enough "rocks" to chose from.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/DAP-...White-8-lbs/24547781
In terms of selecting molds, I would get the biggest ones you can find becuase you have the ability to break up the resulting "rocks" into smaller pieces thereby making the combinations endless and to avoid a repeating pattern.
In order to get the best life out of the molds, I mist them first with water before pouring the plaster of paris and then when I remove the "rock" from the mold after about 30 minutes after it has set, I rinse the mold in warm soapy watter. I've used about a dozen molds over the years from various manufacturers over and over again and they still have good life to them if taken care of as I have described.
A friend of mine showed me a cheap trick using aluminum foil and plaster. He either crumbled the foil and shapes it in different shapes and sizes or finds interesting rocks to wrap foil around for contour then pours in plaster.
Originally Posted by markkl25:
A friend of mine showed me a cheap trick using aluminum foil and plaster. He either crumbled the foil and shapes it in different shapes and sizes or finds interesting rocks to wrap foil around for contour then pours in plaster.
Yes, this can be very effective. I've never been tempted to buy commercial molds.
Sometimes I mold a section and then apply:
and sometimes I mold in place on the mountain:
Occasionally, I use real stone:
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Bragdon Enterprises in CA has some great, extra-large (up to about 18"x24") molds that are excellent for bigger cliffsides.
Jim
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You guys are the best thanks for all the info I will play around with the foil method "never even thought of that one and check out bragdon ent. for sure thanks again!!
If you go to your local restaurant supply house they have a heavy duty foil that is not carried by most grocery outlets. Russ
