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Post by notoes on Jan 15, 2018 12:21:38 GMT -5
I got one of those make-your-own address stamps for Christmas and got the bright idea of making separate custom stamps for addresses to give to family members (and use myself) as fun gifts. I used my new stamper (before inking) to make clay molds to pour the rubber into and have done a test using the Remelt for the rubber so I know it will work.
So my question is this: which liquid rubber would be the best for making the stamps? Remember these are address stamps so the letters are quite small, slightly larger than a 12 point font size - the size of the letters in this thread.
And it has to be a liquid rubber, I did a test with the putty type and that failed but the Remelt did fine. I'm thinking High Strength 3 (which I can lay hands on fairly easily) would work but I'm also mounting these onto wood blocks so it wouldn't matter if it's not flexible, just got to be able to hold a bond with the wood. But it also needs to be able to hold ink long enough to stamp the address which I think almost any rubber will do so since the Remelt did. So any advice? |
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Post by mike on Jan 18, 2018 7:30:54 GMT -5
Great question.
I think you are on the right track with the High Strength 3 but agree with you in very tiny font, I believe it will be too soft. Two other options in the High Strength line ... High Strength 2 and High Strength 1. The 3 is the softest and most flexible, 2 is in the middle, and the 1 is the stiffest. They all act and pour the same. The 1 might be a little thicker but still thin enough to pour into the fine letters. If you are worried about air entrapment when pouring simply take a small disposable paint brush and make sure to brush in or dab the High Strength 1 (or 2 or 3) into the those little crevices of the 12 point font.
I understand High Strength 3 is more readily available in retail locations but another option to try if you'd like to get your hands on a product that has the same hardness of the High Strength 2 to test would be the Amazing Mold Rubber. This is a sister product to the High Strength 2 with a faster catalyst and faster demold time. It can be found at any Michael's or Hobby Lobby in the section with polymer clay. It comes in a slightly smaller kit size but is also less expensive. If it were me, I'd probably print off the 40% coupon both those retailers have off a single item, take it into the store and buy one kit of the Amazing Mold Rubber for approximately $12 to try. I think it will be stiff enough and you will like the results.
Bonding the cured silicone to the wood can only be accomplished using a silicone adhesive as silicones only bond to another silicone. Something you can use that you may have around the house is silicone caulk. Simply smear a thin layer onto the wood and lay the cured High Strength stamp you poured onto it and then make sure to hold overnight.
Mike
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Post by notoes on Jan 18, 2018 10:03:10 GMT -5
I've used the Amazing Mold Rubber before, love the stuff but I switched to the HS-3 only because I could get twice the amount for about $10 more. Hobby Lobby carries it and I love the coupons they give, I've been known to print two and make two different "transactions" to use both coupons. I had some molds I made with it and I believe you're right, it would be better. I've never really had a problem with air bubbles in a one piece mold as I like to use the "pour from high place to get a thin stream" method of pouring.
I usually have the silicone caulk laying around and it's quite easy to get more of as the local Lowes is close by, I've used it in home remodel/upgrading situations and it does hold well to wood so I'm surprised at myself for not thinking of that. By adding the rubber to a wooden block, I should have the perfect pressure when I stamp to paper.
Thanks for the advice, I'll have to go to the store as soon as we get un-snowed in and I'll post pictures of the final product so you can see how well it worked.
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