How to make a vibramute mold?

[mikethemod1992]

Does anybody have an idea of the best materials that should be used to make a mold of the Vibramute? Ive got the resign that im going to pour into it for casting. I tried Latex Mold builder, but all that did was strip the paint off the mid section. Also, what sort of paint should be used to fill in the center and "Vibramute" section? Thanks
-Mick

[TerryTNM]

I've never made one. But I think I'd look up a foundry near by that could make you a sand casting and pour your mold. I've heard it's not that expensive.
-Terry

[raykozi]

I made a mold of a Vibramute using OOMOO silicon rubber from Smooth-On. Very easy to use. I placed the flat bottom surface of the Vibramute on a Formica top. I used Legos to build a "box" around it, about 1" wider on all sides including the top. Wood also works - Legos are easier. You mix Part A and B of the silicon rubber together and then flow it into a corner so it completely covers the Viramute. Once dry, you pull the Vibramute out and you have an exact mold. You can use the same procedure for the arm and the rocker. I bought some very fine steel powder and mixed it into the resin. Once the pieces were buffed they looked identical.

[mikethemod1992]

Just bought this stuff today


After about 30 minutes it was dry, and i filled the mold with the resign. It overflowed a tiny bit in one part, so i need to cut it a bit after it dries

[popp]

I bought some very fine steel powder and mixed it into the resin. Once the pieces were buffed they looked identical.

Hi rayzoki, I'm not sure if I understand it right... you made a copy of the trem using resin mixed with steel powder?
What did you do with the final product? As far as I understand you didn't make a sandcast copy of the trem, right?
Do you have any pics of the process and/or the final product? I'd be very interested in seeing a few photos...

M.

[raykozi]

Hi popp. No sandcasting involved. I used a high strength clear resin and mixed in a generous amount of very fine steel powder and then poured this goo into a silicon rubber mold of an actual Vibramute. After a couple of days I buffed the pieces out and they looked just like the original, especially the base plate. This was just an experiment and it came out great. I am positive you could use the base plate and probably the rocker on an actual guitar. The trem arm, because it is so thin, would probably snap. Sorry, no pictures.
The pieces are at another location and I won't be back for several months.
-Ray

[popp]

Okay, thank you for the info Ray... btw. I realized that I mis-spelled your name : sorry for that...

M.

Also sorry for hijacking your thread, Mick... Let's get back to your mold --- any good results?
I am really curious...

[mikethemod1992]

sure did! And the end result is.....

[mikethemod1992]

I bought some very fine steel powder and mixed it into the resin. Once the pieces were buffed they looked identical.

Hi rayzoki, I'm not sure if I understand it right... you made a copy of the trem using resin mixed with steel powder?
What did you do with the final product? As far as I understand you didn't make a sandcast copy of the trem, right?
Do you have any pics of the process and/or the final product? I'd be very interested in seeing a few photos...

M.

and it's all good! Im happy to learn

[popp]

so... what's the next step?