Project Overview:

For this project we were tasked with casting two identical molds of our fingers with a screw sticking out of them in order to be used as hooks on a wall.

The Process:

This assignment was pretty straightforward in terms of the actual process. First I measured out 50 grams of alginate and then 200 grams of water. (Labeled on the bag was a recommended 4:1 ratio)

Measurements

Afterwards I mixed the two together as vigorously as I could in a cup and then shoved my index finger into the goop. It was a lot colder than I expected and I think that was due to the cold water that I used. I help my finger there for about 8 minutes and then slid it out while the alginate held and finished hardening.

Finger in mold

After I had my mold I mixed plaster and water together in a 2:1 ratio by volume and poured it into the small mold of my finger. Then I stabbed a screw through a piece of tape and positioned it so that it stuck out of the top of my mold. I then sat and let it dry for 30 minutes.

After I removed my finger I repeated this process again to produce a second one.

Waiting for the second one to dry

Once I had my two fingers I began the post processing… process. I sprayed them both with three equal coats of gray spray paint. Then they dried and I was finished!

Spray paint layers

Reflection:

Things I would like to work on in the future:

• Larger molds, maybe multiple fingers
• Have a more precise way to insert the screw into my mold

This project was pretty easy for me especially because I am already familiar with molding and casting from my beginner sculpting class. It was fun using a different type of alginate and plaster than I was originally used to, and I had never thought about harding the plaster around another object before such as the screw. It really opened my eyes about all the different applications of casting.

Cost Estimate:

• Material
  • Plaster: 0.75$
  • Alginate:1.00$
  • Spray Paint:2$
• Time Cost
  • 1.5 hr x 15$ = 22.5$
• Overhead
  • N/A

Total: 26.25$