Pile O' Parts

T

Tom Rowe

Active member
Got this pile of decoys started. It's been slow going, but I'm farther ahead than I was at this time last year. They will be added to my diver rig when finished. The molds are working well and I'm using a new release agent which makes them ready for primer as soon as they come out of the mold. No sanding. I've got about 20 or so more to cast then It's time to put them together.

pile2.jpg

 
How do you get it to stick to the mold?
Click to expand...


Just put a little bit into the mold cavity. Spread it around, then blow the excess out with a compressor. It gives you a light coat over the entire surface of the mold cavity.
 
Well, thats a pretty neat trick.
Using 2-part foam right?
And no problems with sticking?
 
I'd like to if I could make the finances work on buying 2-part foam. Would love to make a rig of bluebills and redhead foamers to replace my hodge-podge of plastics.
EPS turned out to be too expensive to have shipped and none of the places around here that use it would even return a phone call or email.
Was scared from using 2-part, all the release agents called for sanding the whole decoys, way to much work for the amount of time I have.
 
It would be really cool if someone on the DBHP made molds available.... ideally with a proven method/instructions. A lease agreement would be ideal. Maybe put down a deposit to protect the investment. Make up the couple dozen decoys, then return the molds or pass them on to the next guy. I would like to make up some Bluebills, Redheads, and Cans myself.... Certainly I can save my pennies and find them on eBay, but what would be better is to know that this certain mold takes 2 oz of a particular foam, and works consistantly... rather than experimenting each time....

Dave
 
Well, thats a pretty neat trick.
Using 2-part foam right?
And no problems with sticking?
Click to expand...


Yea, I figured I had to try something...I hate sanding. So far It's been working better than expected. I am using 2 part foam. I have had no problems with sticking. In fact, the mold seems to be holding up better than with any other release agent I've used to date. It's showing no signs of degredation.
 
Hi Tom, do you mind sharing what weight of foam you are using for the bodies and for the heads, how do they hold up?
 
Tom,
Great looking pile of dekes. Where/what brand of molds are you using? Are they magnum or regular sized? I've been carving divers out of pink foam and burlapping- way too much work!

Thanks,
Bill
 
Thanks for the kind words all.

Jehler, I use 8# density foam for the bodies. I dont burlap or anything like that. They are cast with a solid plastic shell and a foam core. The heads have solid plastic bills and they have solid plastic tail boards. They hold up very well. I've yet to break a bill or seriously damage one. Most damage is caused by "stray" pellets if you know what I mean.

Roy, yes I carved the originals.

Bill, I built the molds myself from originals I carved. These are life size.
 
Tom,

I've been following a very similar process, with the cast plastic shell and the 8lb foam core. I've been using polyease 2300 as the release agent but will try the talc. I too carved the original and then made the mold from rubber/glass. Would you mind sharing how you made the head mold? Are you using the same density for the heads or do you bump up to 16?

Thanks,
Ryan
 
Tom,

I've been following a very similar process, with the cast plastic shell and the 8lb foam core. I've been using polyease 2300 as the release agent but will try the talc. I too carved the original and then made the mold from rubber/glass. Would you mind sharing how you made the head mold? Are you using the same density for the heads or do you bump up to 16?

Thanks,
Ryan
Click to expand...

Head mold is made the same way as the body mold. The only difference is that a relief cut is made along the bottom of the bill to help remove the casting from the rubber. If you cast the heads with solid plastic bills 8# foam is fine. If you dont... you need to go to the 16# (IMO). If the talc doesnt work for you try Ease release 200 as a release agent. I find that it's better than the polyease and it can be washed off with comet or hot water because it's wax based.
 
Ahhh, got it. So the mother mold is what keeps that relief cut from blowing out when the foam expands? Do you run the relief cut from under the bill all the way to the neck?

Thanks for your input.
 
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