7 replies to this topic

[redspook]

Like the topic states, is it possible to recast something in a larger scale than originally casted?

My first thought is no, but I know almost nothing about the process so I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask those of you in the know. Part of me thinks you could soak the casting in some sort of solvent to potentially expand it, but I would assume it could distort details of a figure?

I ask because there are TONS of awesome diecast minis out there but they're usually tiny (15mm-28mm). If this is actually doable, how would one go about it? The particular minis I am thinking of are 15mm but I'd like to recast them either as 40mm or 54mm.

Probably a shot in the dark, but this seems like the best place to pose such a question.

[PlasticSoul]

Yes.

 

There are two different materials used to cast that can either shrink or enlarge a figure. Hydroshrink obviously shrinks stuff and hydrospan makes it larger. Eric Nilla has used both I think. Just today he was selling something I sculpted that he had shrunk to about a third of the original size. The process is the same as molding/casting with other material except instead of using resin/rubber to make your cast in silicone you use the products mentioned. Then over the course of a few days it either shrinks or grows and you cast it in silicone all over again. Technically you could repeat the entire process again and again to make something tiny or huge. 

Edited by PlasticSoul, 27 March 2016 - 01:52 PM.

[redspook]

Awesome! This is what I wanted to hear! I've been on the fence about buying some figures recently since they're so small. I will have to try my hand at casting first then give this a go as well. Thanks!

[PlasticSoul]

Awesome! This is what I wanted to hear! I've been on the fence about buying some figures recently since they're so small. I will have to try my hand at casting first then give this a go as well. Thanks!

 

No problem. You should send Eric a PM if you want more information. I know it's not a cheap process since you have to use silicone twice to mold and then remold but it can be done.

[redspook]

No problem. You should send Eric a PM if you want more information. I know it's not a cheap process since you have to use silicone twice to mold and then remold but it can be done.

Cool, I will do that. Thanks again!

[Screamer]

I was pondering this the other day but my searches came up fruitless. So thanks for the information! The wealth of knowledge on this forum is incredible.

Do you happen to know the degree of control the user has? I mean, can you facilitate how much the figure enlarges or shrinks?

[ironmask]

Yeah. For instance, with hydroshrink, the less water you put in the less it shrinks... Conversely, the more you put in, the more it shrinks. I'd imagine that the hydrospan works similarly.

Caution, though, the shrunk/grown figure is going to be kind of gummy, and molding that piece can be a bit of a pain because the material is so soft.

[steverotters]

Just watch this video