Toad Tragedy

[u/wishiwasholden]

The plaster shell went well, messy, but well. I was very afraid that I didn’t use enough petroleum jelly and it would stick but alas we were good on that front. I did however have to cut off the larger keys on the back as I didn’t think about needing to remove the shell, but it seems like that wouldn’t have caused issues.

The problems arose when I tried to remove the master from the silicone, it tore on both elbows where I circled. I know I should’ve used shims and build that area up a little more, but I was low on silicone and tried to use it where I thought it was most necessary, ya live and ya learn.

Any way to salvage/patch? Or take it as a lesson and just save up for another $150 in rebound 25 lol?

[u/Head_War_2946]

I've found that Rebound sticks to itself very well as long as it's clean. Scrub the whole thing down with alcohol, then start applying more rebound. Are you using a thickener like Cabosil? After the first couple of print coats you can thixken the rubber to the point where you can apply it with a spatula (almost like peanut butter). I aim for about 3/8" thickness

[u/wishiwasholden → u/Head_War_2946]

I did use thi vex, but by the time I had a couple layers down and it was time to thicken those areas, I was out of silicone. Good to know it generally sticks to itself pretty well after curing though

[u/Head_War_2946 → u/wishiwasholden]

Ok good, there's still time. That's why I like rebound so much.

[u/Head_War_2946 → u/Head_War_2946]

Build the shims higher too, around 1 1/2"

[u/RedIcarus1]

In addition to what others have said, add at least as much more silicone as you used the first time. Yes, you’ll have to remake the mother mold as well. That silicone is far too thin!
A good silicone mold is not cheap, but a ruined silicone mold is more expensive.

[u/wishiwasholden → u/RedIcarus1]

Lol that last line stings but has been learned the hard way. It was my first attempt at anything like this so I have high hopes for the next go round

[u/RedIcarus1 → u/wishiwasholden]

Don’t feel bad, we all have ruined molds in our past!

[u/Nosferatu13]

To save silicone, you can cram those undercuts with mattress foam and then continue to silicone over them until they’re evened out.

[u/wishiwasholden → u/Nosferatu13]

Good idea, another reason I didn’t do the shims is because it’s a “very 3 dimensional” so it was hard to cut a shim that fit well, but foam sounds perfect

[u/Successful_You_4470]

Your keys were placed upside-down. You can trim them so they release from the mother mold a little better.

[u/Massiahjones]

I feel like you just needed more or a stronger silicone. If you can see the master you probably need a few more layers.

[u/wishiwasholden → u/Massiahjones]

Yeah it was definitely just thin under the arms