MR Westar mold experiment

Well, it was about time I learned to make my own 2-piece molds since some of my Jango gaunlet attachment molds are getting a little rough. Here's something I've been thinking of molding for a while. The molds are being constructed specifically to see if a blaster can be cast from rubber like material similar to the Hyperfirm blasters.

cheers,
Cruzer

This should be very awesome, I'd probably love to be in a run of these if you do do a run! :P

Hey, you wouldn't mind telling a newbie at molding on how and where to start molding would ya?

Anyways, this is going to be an interesting project to follow!

Psst, please check the gauntlet hose thread.

Thanks Cruz!

neat.:thumbup

are you planning to just pour in silicone?

if so from looking at your boxes, particularly on the handle, you'll waste a LOT of silicone that way, as opposed to having the shell tighter around the object (i.e. not square)



something like that shape would save you quite a bit of rubber.

or to REALLY save... use a brush on silicone and then plaster / fiberglass jacket.

that being said, i do exactly what you're doing most of the time. i just figured i'd throw it out there in the interest of information sharing

Thanks. I like box molds, but you're right if I could angle a wall in there that'd save me a little of the silicone I just spent $300 on.

Ah...a blaster that is less likely to get destroyed! Purhaps I should consider this!

Originally Posted by Cruzer

Thanks. I like box molds, but you're right if I could angle a wall in there that'd save me a little of the silicone I just spent $300 on.

yeah, if you cut a piece of wood and put it at a roughly 45 angle in the corner, i bet that would save you a pint of silicone.

i'm with you though. the simplicity of pour and wait is worth the extra $$ on the rubber to me. i used nearly a gallon on my gauntlet mold!

Cool. Interested to see your progress. I have been using Rebound 25 as a brush on with fiberglass jackets, but I would prefer a solid box too.

deffinetly watching this project!

exciting!

Can't wait to see the outcome of this one, Some people have been lookin' for some decent Westars for a while

If you were to ever make a run, I would jump on this!

definitley would like a set of these if they work out for you. What's the base color for the foam/rubber. I think the blasters would rub some while being put in/out of the holsters, leaving dull or dark spots Maybe paint would be a better option instead of R & B for the barrels. You guys had any ideas on how to get the silver color and still be long lasting? Great job BTW.

The silicone should be here Tues. or Wed. and then I'll pour the first parts. I'm pusing this project so I can get your blaster back to you in time to allow you to repaint your handles before SDCC.

I'm going to produce the first blaster in black, and I'm guessing a couple of SEMS silver toned paints are going to work really well on something like this because it works so well on the Hyperfirm blasters. Then maybe throw in the hints of brass for those that need the muzzle tip and pins the accurate color as well. A semi-gloss might help seal everything, but I say the more weathering the better. I'm guessing a fresh paint job every year or other year depending on how rough they are handled/trooped in.

The idea of Westars you can troop roughly in and even throw around is what interests me the most. I hated having to baby my MRs and worry about droping or dinging them. That's why I'm so excited about the idea of stunt Westars!

Your the man Cruzer, keep this up

OH freakin A, Cruzer gets all my money next month. Shins, new backplate (if you will still pull me one LOL) knees, and now blasters. Yea, you have some dough coming bro, I cant thank you enough for taking on these projects!

Cruzer, dude this sounds awesome! Really like that fact like you say you don't have to worry about anything happening to the MR replicas. 8)

Originally Posted by Dark-Side

I just called the MR and i told them everything about your "bad" project!!
Soon you will be in prison!

AHAHHAHAHAHAA!

No offense, but I don't really see that as a funny joke...



Bad form

really!!??!
I don't think so....i know very well Lorenzo and we always speak in that way!
Anyway i edit my post,so everybody can continue to speak about the cruzer's work.

Originally Posted by Dark-Side

really!!??!
I don't think so....i know very well Lorenzo and we always speak in that way!
Anyway i edit my post,so everybody can continue to speak about the cruzer's work.

Well, I stand corrected, sorry about that mate.

And yes, can't wait to see what cruzer can do with this project

Dark-Side is a good friend of mine...well, I "tolerate" him anyways!
But he is right, there is a certain something about this project that walks a fine line...but what can I do.

Don't forget to add a channel so you can pour resin into the mould

DAZ

Cruzer, if you can pull this off with a good looking finished rubber blaster, then I'm sure that myself and ton of other Jangos here will only need to know one thing... how much!

Looking forward to seeing your progress.

Well, I'm molding something that's already been made. So that's going to help keep the cost low because I didn't have to spend any time making a master. Another good thing about Westars is they'll need very little resin to cast. And if I can keep any clean-up on my part down to nil, then that's less I have to charge for my time, unlike gauntlets and/or holsters that include a lot of labor and materials. So I'm hoping to produce these at a very affordable price.

so one thing i've been looking into is making squishy gaffi sticks for tusken raiders.

in the process of researching it i found this tutorial on making a foam sword:
http://www.reynoldsam.com/gallery.ph...084&cPath=1121

most interesting was the "cast magic" silver pigment. brushed into the mold, then it bonds with the foam as it cures. supposedly it won't crack or peel off.

could be interesting for the westars

Thanks for the idea and link. It looks like there is definitely some potential there for use in this project. I was aware of the metallic pigments, but I had no idea they could be used with the foam. Since brushing the blaster mold in two differnt hues could prove tricky, I could see casting the entire blaster in silver and then painting the handles. Just might work. I'll be ordering some soon. Thanks again for bringing that to light!

Rubber gaffi sticks would be very cool!

Well I'll be keeping a close eye on this thread anyway. Any alternative to the elusive MR's is welcome. My Rubies suck big.

I myself would be in for a set Cruzer, I'm looking forward to see just how this project comes out!

ill be watching as well...if they are cheap enough they would make for a good second pair that could be used for events where you dont want to carry the more expensive machined alternatives

Well there was a small delay (completely my fault) in getting the catalyst for the silicone I received last week, but it finally arrived today. So I quickly got to work and poured the first sides of the molds. Tomorrow morning I'll do the second sides, and by Saturday I should be ready to make my first test copy. Looks like I'm going to need some guidance from the Sci-Fire guys, so I may travel to the shop this weekend in search of expert advice!

sweetnesss...mmmmmmmmmm

Just out of curiosity, I cant see it too well from the pics, but the "heat dispensers" that are along side the barrel where you can visibly see the inner brass tube, did you fill that up before adding the silicone? I think that would have produced a nasty undercut for the mold

now i see how you use my things....there is kid missile on the floor!!!!!

Originally Posted by tubachris85x

Just out of curiosity, I cant see it too well from the pics, but the "heat dispensers" that are along side the barrel where you can visibly see the inner brass tube, did you fill that up before adding the silicone? I think that would have produced a nasty undercut for the mold

I actually filled that cavity with a piece of brass pipe that fit very tightly so there would be no undercut what-so-ever. I accidently pulled the barrel out of the mold and the one half looked very very good. All of the detail was captured perfectly!

Originally Posted by Dark-Side

now i see how you use my things....there is kid missile on the floor!!!!!

That is the master! J/K, it is a bad pull that had no armature so it is very spongy. I will use it to throw at my son when he is not listening!

Awesome!! I cant wait to see your test copy.

The second side is poured. I may have screwed up the barrel mold by allowing some of the silicone to seep under the barrel, so in 4 hours I will demold it and see if I indeed did. If so, I'll begin making a new one today, so no big deal.

Also, I found out the paint finish used on the handles is pretty much the equivalent of spray paint. The Sculpty clay I had used (last minute) to clay up the handle pretty much ate up the paint finish. It only does that to spray paint like paints...so MR really fell short when it came to the finish on the handles. A coat of paint and it's no longer a problem.

looks great Cruzer! wow that clay did eat up that paint huh. did it do anything to the finish on the barrel?

I thought you sanded the heck out of it.

Originally Posted by Cruzer

I accidently pulled the barrel out of the mold and the one half looked very very good. All of the detail was captured perfectly!

Originally Posted by Cruzer

I may have screwed up the barrel mold by allowing some of the silicone to seep under the barrel

that sounds VERY likely... if you pull the piece out of once side before pouring the other, you'll almost surely get some leakage.

I can hardly wait to see how this turns out Cruzer. The thought of having Hyperfirm style rubber Westars is just too sweet.

I wouldn't have to worry about little kids grabbing at my blasters with a rubber set. Which would save my resin ones for troops where grabbing hands are less of an issue... or I could simply keep them for display too.

Just make sure that you give us enough notice, as it takes me a week to upload funds to my Paypal. :thumbup

I personally havent been to intrested in alot lately, but this has my attention 100% because I want some

molds are so wierd to look at.... they trick you and start looking 3D. Just throw a set in the box with the MRs ol' buddy ol' pal. pleeease with whip cream and cherry on top.

wow thats a pretty mold

Thanks. The keys in the cavity of the handle occured to me at the very last minute, so I'm glad I realized something would be needed there to keep those two joining pieces aligned. Hope you see some details that might prove beneficial in your molds. Let me know if I can be any help.

Luckily, the handle made a full recovery! I may just have to borrow the other trigger so I can do both versions. I was also thinking of making a resin pull and modifying the trigger by widening the hole a little so regular sized fingers in gloves can fit better. We'll see. Thanks, Jango 5204.

Great mold! Keep up the good work man

First sets pulled by tomorrow!!

That's a little bit too soon, but I'm happy none the less! :thumbup

Just let me know what the financial damage is going to be so I can start scrimping my pennies.

Wow!!! Cruzer you never cease to impress. So looking forward to owning a set, as I am sure quite a few other Jango's are. B)

Well, it's time to start selling off kidneys... or kids. Whichever brings more. Cruzer, you are the man.

In the future:

So, where'd you get your armor?

Well, the gauntlets are Cruzer, the blasters are Cruzer, the shin guards are Cruzer, the back plate is... Well, the whole thing is Cruzer!

so how are you going to get the stuff into them with no pour holes?

uhoh hes right.

Silicone is magic. Those look awesome. No holes ? Can you drill or melt a channel?

That came out better than I expected, especially for a stunt blaster!

DUDE! For a stunt blaster those are totally useable. Nice job. I guess I know what color to shoot handles now. I like them a lot.

Whoomp there it is.

What did you use for the pin in the rear of the barrel, I lost the pin on my other blaster.

Thanks guys. They all look even better in person, especially the Rn'B'd one. The fact they're rubber is really cool too. They're perfect for trooping and especially for letting little kids hold them for pics, sharing, etc.

I used the male end from an RCA jack. I only had silver ones, but I was at Walmart this morning and they have gold plated ones that would be perfect for a glue in application.

Thanks again and glad you guys like them. Now I just have to keep on practicing until I can finally make pulls that are acceptible. The 98+ temp. is not helping at all, so I may have to wait until tomorrow morning to begin trying again.

I hear the temperature is cooler at 3am. Slam 4 Red Bulls and hit it.

Those look great! Good job.

I like the middle paintjob
It's just awesome!!!

Freakin Awesome man! Ive been checking this thread constantly because im excited. They look great, I cant wait to throw mine up 30 feet in the air just for the hell of it . Yea the weather is definitelty cooler at 3am, so get to it

those look GREAT!!! cant wait to see what they look like when the weathers on your side

..wow, nice nice work... awesome...
do u already know a price for these babies ¿

Cruzer, WOW!!! Amazing job. Those look really nice. Its gonna be great to have a pair of blasters you really don't have to worry about getting banged up.

2 for me, and NOW!

Absolutely gorgeous Cruzer, fantastic work!!

Now after seeing all of these wicked blasters, and hearing all of the details I feel that you've still left one minor detail out... how much!?!

^Ditto. How much?

And I got another question: Do you accept payment in cash through snail mail?
(Can't find a single SW prop around here. And I don't know how to start asking around for a machinist)

PS: Luv the weathering.

Great job man. Very nice!

Sing me up for the bigger trigger batch.

looks amazing!

WOW,amazing work cruzer !!! How you will start the run ???

Those look fantastic!

Sent ya a PM with some questions, Cruzer

Pics of the first successful pull. Drilled out for metal allen buttons.

HOLEY COW ! Those look amazing.. finnaly the Jango's here will beable to get their grubby mits on Westars without having to sell the arms the mits are attached to...

So nice.....and purty

Thats the shi.....stuff! Awesome job! Sign me up

Maybe I'll be the millionth customer or something and a pair will magically arrive with my gauntlet order? Hey, can't blame a brother for trying. And what's wrong with Rubies Westars? I like mine, nothing says "The Real Deal" like thin, plastic holsters...

Glad you guys still like them even when they're ugly black. The coat of SEM's satin black helped smooth out the blaster for the Rn'B coat. I'm wondering if it's best to give them a base coat of SEM's silver metallic instead of black, so that's what shows when the Rn'B rubs/scratches off.

Nothing's wrong with Rubies. I just prefer a different finish on a pair of rubber blasters when other finishes are possible.

Here's a few pics of a finished blaster with brass pins and stainless steel allen buttons. The barrel's gold accents were hand painted using Dupli-Color gold metallic. The barrel is Rn'B'd. The handle was first painted the darker color, and then the trigger and base where taped off and painted with Sem's silver metallic.

Simply A M A Z I N G ! ! !

Fantastic looking blasters Cruiser.

What will be the options on these? Will you be doing some already painted?

Cheers

Tony

The after-casting labor time is so much right now that I'd have to charge about $350 shipped for a pair similar to the one seen in the pics. Today I spent about 3 hours just getting the pulls to the all black stage. Add another 1-2 for the final painting and weathering...and it starts to add up. Not to mention the rubber material is expensive, and it takes almost a half gallon just to pull a single pair of blasters. At this point, I'm not sure how successful a run would take off because this project went from inexpensive to expensive with the use of rubber. It's really up to you guys if there is an interest in these, but the lowest starting point would have to be around $275 shipped for a black pair. I think a lot of members here would enjoy the project of finishing these blasters themselves and/or converting them for metal accents...but I may be wrong.

Being made of Hyperfirm rubber, they're very practicle and durable blasters, and having a pair of rubber Westars is way cool. However, there's only so much I can ask of members here when it comes to laying down $$ for props.

I really don't know at this point. The thought had occured to me to make a few more blaster molds so that I could offer inexpensive resin blasters ($100-$125) as well. But I'm just not sure.

You guys tell me.

Cruzer, I think that you should make a run with Hyper, and (if you can) make an interest list (not a run) for the resin ones, so you can make the resin whenever you want, and 1 or 2 runs with Hyper.

It's just my opinion, you're the maker

For me the prices are really fair.

Awesomeness!!!

Make sure to bring a copy to Comic Con so that I could check them out.

Those are seriously hot blasters

Is there any similar material you could use that would be cheaper? Maybe not quite as good, but still better than resin?

I do not see what is wrong with $300 for a pair. Seeing how much it cost you to make just the mold and Hyperfirm rubber, $300 seems fair to me.

Originally Posted by asok

I do not see what is wrong with $300 for a pair. Seeing how much it cost you to make just the mold and Hyperfirm rubber, $300 seems fair to me.

I have to agree. That casting rubber is expensive, but worth every penny in the long run. For two of the same blasters, thats not that bad at all.

If the lowest price for a set is 275, I will do my **** best to get the money.

I'm just so despirate to have these NOW!

Finally, a beauitiful alternative to MR...

Those blasters are great! It's awesome that the MR isn't the only good blaster solution anymore.

Dude, I have to say, those look pretty darn hot in black. With the gold accenting like that.....

Just for fun, could you upload a pic of a full black one with gold accenting including the handle in black?
...if it's not too much trouble

I'd be up for two pairs most likely! Wow those look amazing!

Well, I am in for a pair of rubber blasters. No worries about a broken resin blaster or a scratched up set of MR blasters. Definately worth it in my opinion. 8)

They look awesome! I actually like them a lot in black. I'll check back in from time to time to see if you're doing runs.

Cruzer, as always, awesome work! I am totally down for 275-300 clams for the professial work that Cruzer supplies. Ive never had a second guess when it came to his holsters/girth belt guidance/backplate (hopefully shins?) Keep it up!

The MIGHTY KATUA has spoken! So therefore...

It sounds like there is plenty of interest still. I'll get an interest/run thread going by tomorrow noon (Pacific) and I'll start ordering the materials once a few paid orders have come in. I have a few gauntlet orders I need to finish up this week, so waiting on the materials will give me some time to take care of my other obligations.

I'll spend a little time tonight figuring out finish & metal accent options, so that people have a few different price options.

DarkeSword2020, the pics I posted are the only ones I have.

Rupidupe, your right, different finishes would be very cool for custom suits or one-offs.