Comments on: How-To: Make cheap castable silicone from caulk http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 22 May 2013 21:11:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Nawel http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910593 Nawel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910593 "Simple, elegant garage casting hack here from Instructables user mikey77, who calls the stuff "Oogoo," which is, I think, a portmanteau of "Oobleck" and "Sugru." Mmm, I think the name Oogoo may come from this Gilbert Gottfried joke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcuSHwdmxM0 (NSFW!!!) “Simple, elegant garage casting hack here from Instructables user mikey77, who calls the stuff “Oogoo,” which is, I think, a portmanteau of “Oobleck” and “Sugru.”

Mmm, I think the name Oogoo may come from this Gilbert Gottfried joke:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcuSHwdmxM0

(NSFW!!!)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910595 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910595 Come on, folks. I can't believe there aren't already some reasonably-priced make-your-own sex-toy mold kits out there. In fact, I'm confident there are. What you're paying for is the confidence that the silicone provided is pure and appropriate for your needs, and that the instructions for use are comprehensive and reliable. Sounds to me like the best use for this cheap castable silicone is for ad-hoc messing around projects, like quick-and-dirty alpha-test prototyping, where eventual degradation of the material isn't a buzzkill. It is really cool, though. Make your own M.U.S.C.L.E. men! Come on, folks. I can’t believe there aren’t already some reasonably-priced make-your-own sex-toy mold kits out there. In fact, I’m confident there are. What you’re paying for is the confidence that the silicone provided is pure and appropriate for your needs, and that the instructions for use are comprehensive and reliable.

Sounds to me like the best use for this cheap castable silicone is for ad-hoc messing around projects, like quick-and-dirty alpha-test prototyping, where eventual degradation of the material isn’t a buzzkill.

It is really cool, though. Make your own M.U.S.C.L.E. men!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910857 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910857 is this safe to put on your skin for halloween FX? is this safe to put on your skin for halloween FX?

]]> By: Agies http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910612 Agies Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910612 I think that for food molds you are better off using something intended for the purpose and complies with FDA regulations. I've used <a href="www.moldputty.com">Amazing Mold Putty</a> and have had good results. I think that for food molds you are better off using something intended for the purpose and complies with FDA regulations. I’ve used Amazing Mold Putty and have had good results.

]]> By: jtiii http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910633 jtiii Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910633 As Steve Martin's carnie girlfriend said in The Jerk (in reference to a corn-dog, no less) "put a rubber on it!" As Steve Martin’s carnie girlfriend said in The Jerk (in reference to a corn-dog, no less) “put a rubber on it!”

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910380 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910380 oh man, macho, that is an excellent question. Most dildos I've looked at are always too expensive, this could be a great thing if it could work. Anon in #2 stated it has to be 100% silicone, the mold would be an issue (roughness, "flash" you can see on toy soldier bases), and the porousness mention by Anon in #9. Maybe you could first go in with a brush and do just a thin coat in your mold that's well spread on the surface, then go back later and fill it. Maybe that would help prevent air pockets, but I don't know. It would be nice to know if someone knows if it's feasible and safe. oh man, macho, that is an excellent question. Most dildos I’ve looked at are always too expensive, this could be a great thing if it could work. Anon in #2 stated it has to be 100% silicone, the mold would be an issue (roughness, “flash” you can see on toy soldier bases), and the porousness mention by Anon in #9. Maybe you could first go in with a brush and do just a thin coat in your mold that’s well spread on the surface, then go back later and fill it. Maybe that would help prevent air pockets, but I don’t know. It would be nice to know if someone knows if it’s feasible and safe.

]]> By: oasisob1 http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-911417 oasisob1 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-911417 These ARE wonderful things, after all. These ARE wonderful things, after all.

]]> By: dragonfrog http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910660 dragonfrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910660 I've found food-grade silicone at aquarium stores - if it doesn't harm fish living in water that touches it 24 hrs/day, it shouldn't harm you by eating food that's touched it for shorter times, or by relatively brief contact with mucous membranes. It's not much more expensive than the hardware store stuff - might even be the same price if it didn't have the higher markups that tend to go with being sold at a smaller shop. All the silicone sold at my local hardware stores is not rated for food - it generally has some sort of antifungal agents to slow mildew. I’ve found food-grade silicone at aquarium stores – if it doesn’t harm fish living in water that touches it 24 hrs/day, it shouldn’t harm you by eating food that’s touched it for shorter times, or by relatively brief contact with mucous membranes. It’s not much more expensive than the hardware store stuff – might even be the same price if it didn’t have the higher markups that tend to go with being sold at a smaller shop.

All the silicone sold at my local hardware stores is not rated for food – it generally has some sort of antifungal agents to slow mildew.

]]> By: hadlock http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910408 hadlock Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910408 Don't take this as a straight up (heh) endorsement, but "Standard silicone caulk is generally considered safe to use on countertops or other food-preparation areas." Bathroom caulk however, apparently has anti-bacterial stuff in it to prevent mold. If you did make anything out of it, you'd be advised to wait at least a week (and perhaps bake it at 200F) to get rid of any remaining solvents in the silicone caulk. That's assuming those solvents aren't flammable. Don’t take this as a straight up (heh) endorsement, but “Standard silicone caulk is generally considered safe to use on countertops or other food-preparation areas.” Bathroom caulk however, apparently has anti-bacterial stuff in it to prevent mold. If you did make anything out of it, you’d be advised to wait at least a week (and perhaps bake it at 200F) to get rid of any remaining solvents in the silicone caulk. That’s assuming those solvents aren’t flammable.

]]> By: AlmostLucy http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910421 AlmostLucy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910421 So this stuff is food-safe? Because I've been wanting to made molds of my dad's <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/biz/toysoldierhq/Marxzciv.html">3-inch plastic presidents</a> (3/4 down the page). CHOCOLATE PRESIDENTS. So this stuff is food-safe? Because I’ve been wanting to made molds of my dad’s 3-inch plastic presidents (3/4 down the page). CHOCOLATE PRESIDENTS.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-947306 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-947306 could you use it to fill a bicycle tire, to make it solid, instead of buying a solid bike tire which run about $40 a piece could you use it to fill a bicycle tire, to make it solid, instead of buying a solid bike tire which run about $40 a piece

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-975221 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-975221 Add 3 to 4 drops of glycerin per ounce of silicone, stir it up, ad a drop of acrylic paint, continue stirring, will assure a rapid and even cure throughout the thickness of the silicone. Cornstarch is mentioned because it is hygroscopic (holds water) which the silicone needs to cure. A thick pour of silicone on its own will develop a cured skin on the outside and leave liquid silicone on the inside. If you get the mix right, you can cast items several inches thick, and get a perfect cure throughout. Using 100% pure silicone (no additives) is perfectly safe around food and the body. Silicone is chemically inert, IE: it absorbs nothing, and it leeches nothing, including out-gassing. An excellent article on casting with silicone caulks can be found at: http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hypertufa/msg1217385422593.html Cheers, Doug Add 3 to 4 drops of glycerin per ounce of silicone, stir it up, ad a drop of acrylic paint, continue stirring, will assure a rapid and even cure throughout the thickness of the silicone. Cornstarch is mentioned because it is hygroscopic (holds water) which the silicone needs to cure. A thick pour of silicone on its own will develop a cured skin on the outside and leave liquid silicone on the inside. If you get the mix right, you can cast items several inches thick, and get a perfect cure throughout.

Using 100% pure silicone (no additives) is perfectly safe around food and the body. Silicone is chemically inert, IE: it absorbs nothing, and it leeches nothing, including out-gassing.

An excellent article on casting with silicone caulks can be found at:

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hypertufa/msg1217385422593.html

Cheers, Doug

]]> By: dainel http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-920694 dainel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-920694 I'm wondering how well will this work as ear plugs. I’m wondering how well will this work as ear plugs.

]]> By: macho http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910459 macho Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910459 <i>the mold would be an issue</i> The way I've heard of this being done in the past is to make a plaster of Paris cast of a commercial toy (or I suppose you could also use a vegetable, real life phallus, etc.), and then use that as the mold in which to pour your silicone. Would that resolve the concerns? I'd think you'd (I'd?) want something more solid than most silicone caulk, but maybe it comes in more varieties than I'm aware of. I imagine you could also just use it in combination with a condom to resolve all of these concerns, but maybe that defeats the appeal in the first place. the mold would be an issue

The way I’ve heard of this being done in the past is to make a plaster of Paris cast of a commercial toy (or I suppose you could also use a vegetable, real life phallus, etc.), and then use that as the mold in which to pour your silicone. Would that resolve the concerns?

I’d think you’d (I’d?) want something more solid than most silicone caulk, but maybe it comes in more varieties than I’m aware of.

I imagine you could also just use it in combination with a condom to resolve all of these concerns, but maybe that defeats the appeal in the first place.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-1012352 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1012352 very macho very macho

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910467 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910467 To make sex toys, you simply make toy from this mixture and when it cures just cover it with a layer of pure caulk. Caulk has high surface tension and the cured surface would be bumpy but super smooth. You can smooth uncured silicone caulk with fingers wet in soapy water. To make sex toys, you simply make toy from this mixture and when it cures just cover it with a layer of pure caulk. Caulk has high surface tension and the cured surface would be bumpy but super smooth. You can smooth uncured silicone caulk with fingers wet in soapy water.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-913073 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-913073 do not put this stuff on your skin! it may not burn you but it is an adhesive and will take quite some time and scrubbing yourself raw to get it off. I believe it's only food safe after the solvent has evaporated and that may take more than the recommended drying time in thick applications. do not put this stuff on your skin! it may not burn you but it is an adhesive and will take quite some time and scrubbing yourself raw to get it off. I believe it’s only food safe after the solvent has evaporated and that may take more than the recommended drying time in thick applications.

]]> By: KanedaJones http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-911538 KanedaJones Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-911538 for halloween? using the wrong stuff on bare skin burns I know when I tried this without the corn starch and it stuck to everything inc me. pure silicone would be totally food safe or food safe possible I would think since I have oven mitts cookie sheets muffin tins and ice cube trays made out of the stuff. as for the obligatory dildo reference here is a NSFW link although I would expect animal anatomy (while not in use)would fall under simple biology LOL http://www.bad-dragon.com/cart.php?utm_medium=&utm_source=&utm_content=&utm_campaign= for halloween?

using the wrong stuff on bare skin burns I know when I tried this without the corn starch and it stuck to everything inc me.

pure silicone would be totally food safe or food safe possible I would think since I have oven mitts cookie sheets muffin tins and ice cube trays made out of the stuff.

as for the obligatory dildo reference here is a NSFW link although I would expect animal anatomy (while not in use)would fall under simple biology LOL

http://www.bad-dragon.com/cart.php?utm_medium=&utm_source=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=

]]> By: TooGoodToCheck http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910771 TooGoodToCheck Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910771 I second the advice about using aquarium silicone if you're going to be doing anything intimate with your silicone. Dragonfrog is correct that just about anything from the hardware store will have non-food-grade nastiness. Even the silicone sealant that's sold for kitchen use is labeled as being inappropriate for surfaces that will come into contact with food (which seems a bit silly, but hey). Anyway, read the warning labels very carefully. The mold inhibitor in silicone sealant is often arsenic, although I think there are probably lots of other irritants in there that you'd need to watch out for. I second the advice about using aquarium silicone if you’re going to be doing anything intimate with your silicone. Dragonfrog is correct that just about anything from the hardware store will have non-food-grade nastiness.

Even the silicone sealant that’s sold for kitchen use is labeled as being inappropriate for surfaces that will come into contact with food (which seems a bit silly, but hey).

Anyway, read the warning labels very carefully. The mold inhibitor in silicone sealant is often arsenic, although I think there are probably lots of other irritants in there that you’d need to watch out for.

]]> By: macho http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910261 macho Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910261 Obvious question: Would this be suitable for d.i.y. sex toys, or could I end up in the hospital in some unforeseen embarrassing way? Obvious question: Would this be suitable for d.i.y. sex toys, or could I end up in the hospital in some unforeseen embarrassing way?

]]> By: Grey Devil http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910517 Grey Devil Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910517 I love how most of the comments are about discussing how to use the silicone material for sex toys. Oh internet (: I love how most of the comments are about discussing how to use the silicone material for sex toys. Oh internet (:

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-911542 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-911542 Of course, the one I picked out is $100. Of course, the one I picked out is $100.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910269 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910269 using an appropriate silicone is the deciding factor there macho, some of them are chemically treated for weather applications. You'd need a caulk that is 100% silicon. Cornstarch (while odd) wont hurt you any. More concerned by your molds... using an appropriate silicone is the deciding factor there macho, some of them are chemically treated for weather applications. You’d need a caulk that is 100% silicon. Cornstarch (while odd) wont hurt you any.

More concerned by your molds…

]]> By: Bookburn http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910270 Bookburn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910270 Awesome - pure awesomeness. I'm a science teacher, and I've wanted to use to this for a long time, but could never afford casting silicon. We are so making customized tin soldiers in earth science this year… Awesome – pure awesomeness. I’m a science teacher, and I’ve wanted to use to this for a long time, but could never afford casting silicon. We are so making customized tin soldiers in earth science this year…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910286 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910286 The extra surface area of the corn starch may also catalyze the reaction (or the hydroxl groups of sugar molecules may react similarly to H20 with the benefit of being bound to a solid substrate). The extra surface area of the corn starch may also catalyze the reaction (or the hydroxl groups of sugar molecules may react similarly to H20 with the benefit of being bound to a solid substrate).

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910800 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910800 The most awesome benefits of this DIY Sugru are: (1) Sugru has a shelf life of just 6 months. So...by the time it sits on their shelves; gets shipped overseas to you; then sits on your workbench for a few weeks, it's...time to toss it. (2) The stuff is only available abroad right now. Who wants to pay and wait for overseas shipping?. Far smarter to make it closer to when and where you'll use it. Nice hack. The most awesome benefits of this DIY Sugru are:

(1) Sugru has a shelf life of just 6 months. So…by the time it sits on their shelves; gets shipped overseas to you; then sits on your workbench for a few weeks, it’s…time to toss it.

(2) The stuff is only available abroad right now. Who wants to pay and wait for overseas shipping?.

Far smarter to make it closer to when and where you’ll use it.

Nice hack.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910299 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910299 Does the tube say FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY? Does the tube say FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910314 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910314 There must be something to do wit starch as an additive. The great wall of china had rice starch added to the mortar which vastly increased the durability of the mortar. There must be something to do wit starch as an additive. The great wall of china had rice starch added to the mortar which vastly increased the durability of the mortar.

]]> By: Lobster http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910321 Lobster Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910321 When in doubt, it's usually best not to put the caulk in your mouth. At least, that's how I was raised. :D When in doubt, it’s usually best not to put the caulk in your mouth. At least, that’s how I was raised. :D

]]> By: holtt http://boingboing.net/2010/10/13/how-to-make-cheap-ca.html#comment-910324 holtt Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-910324 Given the rather large amount of catalyst (1:1?) being used, how strong is the stuff? That said I might have to try it out just to see... Given the rather large amount of catalyst (1:1?) being used, how strong is the stuff? That said I might have to try it out just to see…

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