Casting Hoses

[factor40]

I've been trying to think of a good efficient way to cast hoses, something to connect to a gasmask. We are talking 28mm scale. I've considered a semi-rigid resin but I fear that may not be flexible enough. I have also heard mention of actually using silicone to cast with, in place of a resin.

My plan is to cast them with a thin wire in the middle to hold shape when it's bent. Any experience or ideas on how to achieve such a result?

[mangozac]

Have you looked at flexible polyurethanes? I wouldn't use silicone, since it won't take any kind of paint or weathering.

[RageofAchilles]

I did some castings with latex mixed with an acrylic paint as a pigment some years ago.
On large items ,shrinkage is a problem but on little items like hosing it wouldn't be an issue. Helping the cure with baking the moulds on a low heat at 30-50 celcius would help things along.
Results will vary depending on how your silicon mould reacts to the latex, as it can sometimes stick to the mould a bit.

may be worth experimenting with as latex takes acrylic paint quite well. A thin wire can be inserted in the mould like a long staple with a bit of careful positioning.
I was casting solid latex pendants and sword pommels for larp.

[factor40]

@RageofAchilles: The process you describe is too involved for the speed I work at but thank you.

I'll just do a wider search and see what I come up with. Updates as they happen.

-Steve

[Fleafa]

I've been looking at flexible polyurethane. Zinge use something like that strengthened by wire for ammo belts etc.

[mangozac]

I wonder how well the flexible PU takes paint? Obviously you don't want to flex it around too much once it's painted...

[RageofAchilles]

I'm not sure exactly what your after, but I did some searching and found some 2mm rubber hose with a 1mm bore that you could thread a wire through. It isn't a ribbed hose though. £0.99p for 5metres!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Quality-Rubbe ... 2ec7ea6427

another option may be guitar strings, not sure of the diameter, but since they are wound wire , they might be usable with no tampering.

[mangozac]

Guitar strings are the worst to work with because they're too springy! Apparently you can temper (not sure if that's the correct term) them under a flame to take away the elasticity. Perhaps you'd just be better off doing a deal with Jeff from Dragon Forge to buy his in bulk. I have a bunch of them and they're invaluably handy!

[Joey]

Guitar wires rock! (Pun not intended)
Heat them with a lighter until they glow, and all springiness is gone. Been doing this for 12 years, and still prefer them to Jeff's pewter cables (don't tell Jeff though!)

[johncast]

Hi Factor 40

If you require hoses for your models , depending on the size or diameter of the hoses required, I have often used lead tin solder wire of different dia to represent the hoses in a scale model.

The wire solder can be positioned in all manner of bent angles loops etc or laid onto the ground with no spring at all , once glued into place, a coat of paint just makes it look like hose.

johncast.

[michu556]

Hey
If someone would look for tools to make cables or hoses. This confusion link. They also have a cool store a lot of heads in gas masks and other additives.
1:35 15mm 28mm scale


http://roleplayupkit.com/en/16-tools