- What is a garage kit?
- A garage kit is somewhat of a generic term that usually
means kits that are made from a polyurethane casting resin.
The term originated due to the fact that no special equipment
is needed in order to make the molds or do the casting, all
of which can be done literally in one's garage.
- Why garage kits?
- Most resin/garage kits are of the more obscure subjects
that the major model companys don't or will not produce. Most
have a very low production run and are of Science Fiction
and Horror subjects covering both vehicles and figures. In
fact, almost any monster from any film has probably been available
as a kit at one time.
- So how is it different than a the model kit I can just
buy at the hobby store?
- Regular styrene plastic kits are made by injecting liquid
plastic into heavy metal molds under high pressure. The results
are thin plastic sections that are glued together to form
hollow pieces. Resin kits, on the otherhand, are made
by pouring liquid resin into a flexible silicone molds that
produce solid pieces to be glued together.
- Are resin kits harder to build?
- Not really, but they are typically recommended for the
intermediate to advanced builder. While the materials are
different, you are still basically gluing pieces together
and filling seams. See building tips.
- What is resin?
- Polyurethane casting resin consists of two liquid parts
that, when mixed at the proper ratio, will solidify in approximately
5-10 minutes.
- How are the molds made?
- The silicone (rubber) molds are usually made in two pieces.
The basic procedure is as follows. The master object is embedded
in clay to the point at which the mold is to split in
half. A containment wall is then constructed around the clay.
Next, the silicone is catalized and slowly poured over the
master. When the rubber is cured (about 24 hours) the mold
can be flipped over and the clay removed. A parting agent
is then applied to the exposed silicone on the mold before
pouring the second half. This prevents the two halves of the
mold from adhering to each other. After another 24 hours the
mold can be pulled apart and is ready to use.
- How long will the mold last?
- Anywhere from 40-60 good pieces can be expected before
the mold gets tired or tears.
- Is the casting process automated at all?
- No, everything is done by hand.
- Are all resin kits considered garage kits?
- No. Garage kits are typically produced in limited quantities
by small business ventures or individual artists. Kits that
are mass produced are not considered to be garage kits.
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