Introduction
The task was a simple one: create two molds of my fingers. But, the execution was not so simple. Here is a journey of trial and error until the perfect finger molds were made. Amelia and I went through this journey together and came out the other side stronger together.
First Step: Creating the Mold
Amelia and I started this process by collecting our materials necessary for the job. We gathered the sodium alginate, water, containers, scale, drill with mixing attachment, plaster, cups for molding, screws, tape, and paper towels. We stared out by mixing the sodium alginate with the water at a 2:1 ratio by volume, then using the drill to mix it all together. After this, we poured the mixture into our molding cylinders and tapped the bottoms on the table to try to get out all the air bubbles. We then stuck our fingers in and held them there for around 5-7 minutes until it had set.
In our case, Amelia and I had to make two batches because there was not enough mixture the first time for two fingers each. So, the first batch, we filled only one container and stuck one of each of our fingers in the mix. After this, we doubled the batch and each had our own cup where we each made two more fingers, in case one of them turned out poorly.
Once it had all set, we wiggled our fingers out and examined the molds. Ours turned out surprisingly well all things considered. We were scared that our mixture was too thick, but it seemed to have done the job, and we were ready to move on to the next step.
Second Step: Creating the Plaster
After our molds were set, we made the plaster to create the busts of our fingers. In a 2:1 ratio by volume, we mixed the plaster and the water. This is where we thought we had made a mistake, as the plaster set a lot faster than we though (or we just didn’t use enough water). Nevertheless, we poured (read: stuffed) the plaster into the molds and prayed that they filled all the holes in the molds and that the air bubbles were not there. Then, we taped the screws into the molds by hanging the screws on the tape. After this, we cleaned up all the supplies while the molds set and hoped that that this would work.
Third Step: Taking the Molds Out
After cleanup, we went outside and hoped that the molds held. And, after some wiggling, they did!! The molds came out so smoothly that we could’ve reused the molds even after pulling them out. At this point, Amelia and I were so happy that we decided to take a break and finish the fingers the next day.
Fourth Step: Finishing – Cutting, Sanding, and Spray Paint
The next day, we got back to the OEDK and started to finish the fingers. The first step was to cut away some of the odd bits and ends to the fingers. We did this with a chisel and a file. I cut away some of the extra sections and then filed down the rough bits at the bottom. Then, we went outside, and spray painted the fingers. For this, I cut two holes in a 2×4 and stuck the nails into the holes so that I could get all sides of the finger easily when spray painting. I left them out to dry, then brought them, in and was done!
Reflection
I liked this project because it was a simple one, but it was interesting. Getting to do something that I’ve never really done before, or even thought about, was a fun way to do a quirky assignment. I found that this was a fast way to make a mold but not the most accurate, but it was precise enough to get the job done. Overall though, a fun time.
Cost Estimate
- 3 hours of work for $15/hour: $45.00
- Plaster: $3.00
- Sodium Alginate: $2.00
- Screws: $0.05
- Tape: $0.10
Total Cost:$50.15
