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How hard is it to use MDF as molds?

 
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anakinjay
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Joined: 22 Dec 2006
Posts: 12

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 2:32 pm    Post subject: How hard is it to use MDF as molds? Reply with quote

How hard is it to learn to sculpt MDF into molds? I'm fairly artistic... And I think I could easily get just the general shape down, but some of the finer details (the gap inbetween the chest, the hard angles... the details in the abs and edging).. etc... I just can't see that happening.

Can you guys who use MDF molds list the tools you use, and what they're used for? as in.. I use a planar for this part.. and when I need to do this, I use a band saw... whatev.. (I'm not a wood worker.. yet! hehe)

Also, could you go into some more detail on how you make the finer detail? I'd really appreciate it..

Thanks!
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CJanssen
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Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 215
Location: Beaverton OR

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 8:00 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Except for all the dust, working with the mdf is alright. I start my molds by cutting the mdf sheets into the general shape of the mold with my table saw or band saw (depending on the shape)

After gluing all the sheets together I do the forming with the planer and an agle grinder with this sanding head on it:

It works great at taking the mdf down

For the finer details, I use some small wood chisels, sandpaper, bondo. Also on some of the smaller areas I glued on other pieces of wood rather than trying to form the mdf. Heres an example with the ab mold.


I use my belt/disc sander ALOT on my molds as well, thats when the dust really starts to fly.

Hope that helps,

CJ
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anakinjay
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Joined: 22 Dec 2006
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PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

In that picture above.. do you use bondo to fill in the gaps between the wood pieces? or did you form it right like that?

And yes, THANK YOU.. that helps a lot!
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CJanssen
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Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 215
Location: Beaverton OR

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 5:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used bondo to fill in all the gaps. Also, I pretty much bondo the entire mold, sand it smooth, and then spray it with primer.

Heres a pic of that mold finished. Well, it was finished until I started re-working it (its almost finished again) Very Happy





Glad to help out

CJ
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TK 109
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Joined: 11 May 2007
Posts: 712
Location: Galena, Ohio

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

nice work, cj

nice, sharp detailing!

could you post a pic of a pull one you vacuum-form it?

see, anakinjay, bondo can REALLY clean-up your molds. the wood that

cj, you've actually got chipboard on that codpiece, correct? does that stuff sand down faster than MDF? thanks! Smile

here are some of my molds. i just use a beltsander mounted on my sawhorses to make a rather crude benchsanding jig. the paper is 50 grit, really cuts-up the MDF FAST. and then i apply the spot filler, and bond as needed.





this is the sholder bell armor, and it is painted-over with SPOT-FILLER PRIMER, grey. this mold is actually made of 2x6 pine, what i had on hand, and it cut-down on the amount of wood i had to use!


the CHEST. getting the shape of the pecs was interesting, i used the dremel tool with a cutting/engraving bit to to the rough shaving, and then used a griding wheel to do some detailing, and to level the lower "triangle", and then i PLASTERED that thing with bondo to smooth and contour it, paying close attention to the pecs. i still don't have it quite right! Wink

here is a pull of the chest with haircell ABS, for reference (i guess...)

i hope that helps you man, good luck and most importantly BE SAFE and HAVE FUN! Very Happy
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CJanssen
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Joined: 17 Feb 2007
Posts: 215
Location: Beaverton OR

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Heres the pic of the pull, went ok except for around the small boxes in the center lacking some detail. I will be making a mold to pull some add-on plates with the TK buttons.



I had forgotten that I didnt use mdf for that mold.... chipboard is close to mdf, but mdf is alot easier to sand.


CJ
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TK 109
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Joined: 11 May 2007
Posts: 712
Location: Galena, Ohio

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 7:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

alright, was just wondering, thanks.

i don't even think that chipboard is even a cheaper option than MDF! i mean, not only is the stuff more expensive, but it doesn't sand down any easier.

ok thanks! Very Happy
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