Introduction
In this post, I detail how I molded and casted two fingers that can be used as wall hooks. The shape transfer of my own fingers was conducted using alginate and a casting material (rockite). I participated in this activity during class, and chose the beginner level as I have not used molding and casting methods before.
The required materials are as follows:
- Four 16 oz silicone measuring cups
- 6.75oz Alginate
- 70g Rockite
- 2 Popsicle sticks
- Digital Scale
- 2.2oz Water
- 3D Printed Jig w/ screw holes
- Screws (any size)
Creating the Mold (Negative)
Using the alginate, I mix the alginate with water at a ratio of 1.5oz:6.75oz and stirred with a popsicle stick. When it began to harden, I inserted two fingers (index, middle) into the alginate. After it solidified, I carefully pulled out my hand.
Mixing the alginate.
Casting the Fingers (Positive)
Nex, I mixed the casting material, Rockite, with water at a ratio of 35g:10g per finger. I then poured the mixture into the alginate mold of the fingers. I attached a screw embedded in the finger so that it can attach to the wall, with the help of a 3D-printed jig.
Adding the rockite.
Inserting the 3D printed jig w/ screws.
Removing the Cast & Post-Processing
After curing, I pulled the casted fingers out of the alginate and post-processed it. Presumably, the Rockite is much more durable and easy to remove from the Alginate mold than the Cement mixtures used in years past.
Pulling out the mold (1).
Removing the casted fingers (2).
Casted fingers versus real fingers.
Finally, I post-processed the fingers by spray-painting a bronze color and clear-coating with a matte clear coat.
The final product is as follows:
Final casted fingers.
Cleaned Workspace
I redid the experiment with Winson at a later date to fulfill his assignment, since only one partner was able to complete it in class. The cleaned workspace is as follows:
Cleaned workspace.
Bill of Materials
- Total Cost: $13.74
Conclusion
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with the accuracy and simplicity of creating molds of my fingers. The final product was identical in size, and even the little details of the finger were captured; it was so accurate, I wondered if my fingerprints could be extracted from the molds. Though it was my first time molding and casting, I think the product turned out well and I am happy with the result.
Final product.
