by Adam Savage
First published 2009
Adam Savage draws from his apprenticeship with special effects masters to teach object replication through moldmaking. The book focuses on creating two-part, underpoured block molds using silicone rubber, a technique suited for beginners working with small detailed items like jewelry, game pieces, masks, picture frames, and figurines. Savage explains how moldmaking appears simple in concept but presents unique challenges with each new object requiring fresh solutions and innovations. He reveals unpublished industry tricks learned during his training under renowned moldmaking professionals. The process emphasizes efficiency with expensive silicone rubber costing around $100 per gallon, requiring careful adherence to instructions since mistakes prove costly. After creating molds, readers learn to cast duplicates using opaque urethane resin rather than clear resin, which demands more complex procedures. This primer originally appeared in the now sold-out Technology on Your Time Volume 08, making these professional techniques accessible to makers seeking to replicate objects with precision and economy.
Genres: art, non-fiction, technology, how-to
Vibes: instructional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: how-to, instructional
9 pages · Kindle Edition · Maker Media, Inc