Some Testing

Up next in the quest for the ultimate chess set, I've opted to switch from the glass bases of my candle jars as the bases to a hand cast replica in "Alumilite" which is a super hard (and tintable) epoxy plastic. This will allow me to make black and white sides in a really obvious way. It also removes the problem of how to mount the figures in the glass bases, since I can pour each figure in one piece.

First the tests. This is a glass base glued into a plastic cup.


This is the mold medium.


And the catalyst that turns it from a goop into a solid foam block.


And why, you ask, was the base glued into the plastic cup? That way, I pour the plastic cup full of wet mold medium, it forms around the base and 14 hours later...


...voila! I put the complete mold in the microwave before each pour, since the heat helps the liquid plastic shed bubbles before the plastic hardens.


Here is the Alumilite. Like an epoxy, you mix it from two separate bottles and the result is pretty spiffy.


Planning ahead, (since it's probably a BAD idea to accidentally mix the measuring cups up, since that would cause the plastic to start to harden prematurely) I've labeled my measuring cups.


My first pour. Using an extra figure held in place with my "Helping Hands", I pour up my first try.


Poured. I seem to have forgotten how to use my camera's flash at this point.



At the 90 second (from the first stir) mark, the colour starts to change.


After about 10 minutes, the finished product can be demolded.


Test shot with the white base and glass jar.


A little better shot.


Remember I mentioned the "tintable" quality of Alumite? With their black dye mixed into the A side, this is the result.


I still need to fine tune the pouring (to avoid the overspill on the legs seen here) and redo the mold to get a better fit inside the glass jar, overall, the product works as advertised and I'm happy with the results and the potential they present.