We had our CNC machine serviced this morning as it has been running hot from producing our mould masters.
I am often asked how we set about making a new mould. We start by going to our customer request list to find a suitable subject that potentially has a sales potential.
After drawing up the design in 2D we scan the drawing into our computers and bring the drawing to life in other computer software. We then drop it into another program and convert the 3D file to machine code and send it out to our CNC machine that carves the master ready for us to vacuum form on another machine.
In quoting for custom mould work we are often unnecessarily feel like apologising for the time and effort involved, which makes it a very expensive business to make a master mould. Custom work is a lot cheaper if we are given a job starting from an original sculpture. However not everyone is talented enough to sculpt to the standerd that the market demands.
Most of our new range of concrete moulds are being made direct from natural materials. Rock moulds will make concrete reproductions that will look like real rock. We hope this will result in more bush rock being left where it belongs unspoiled in the bush.
Stan
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Wednesday 30th July
We are working hard on getting our new range of concrete moulds up and running. Our new wall cladding moulds are looking terrific starting off with a cobblestone series then ledge stone and Gosford sandstone. We are introducing this new series with a low cost DIY entry point with PVC plastic moulds before following up with the premium PolyU rubber moulds for the professionals
The pavers have 3 new types to put up on the web in both plastic and PolyU while the tiles are available only in PVC at this stage.
Our new concrete stencils will be available hopefully next week complete with all the colour hardeners and sealers required. Adam is finalising these products while Joseph is setting up the new www.moulds4concrete.com.au web site to give better exposure to these new lines.
All these new products will mean that concrete will be one of the most interesting products to consider for an additional source of income let alone a new business opportunity.
The beauty of concrete is that you can start at home before making the plunge to rent a factory and employ staff. We intend to help beginners with all the product and technical information required to make it easy to enter this exciting field.
For the far sighted the opportunities in the concrete industry are far greater than those that existed in the hobby ceramic industry nearly 25 years ago when we helped set up hundreds of small studios operating from homes around NSW. Concrete will not be subject to the dictates of fashion or the competition from China.
Concrete has been seen for years at markets and fairs in the form of garden gnomes and figurines and will continue to fascinate . The new products will only expand on this existing market. Pavers are already proving a great success as new attractive designs can be introduced to compliment the plain stepping stones on sale at the garden centres. Concrete tiles have not been seen yet will be just as interesting to develop the natural bush look.
Wall cladding and stamping will take longer to develop as new skills are necessary but will prove to be well worth the effort of learning for the small business person and entrepreneur. Out of habit I typed "business man" but overseas women are showing the pace in many of these new fields as is proved by the fact that women far outnumber men in purchasing moulds from us as sources of additional income. Jewellery for just one avenue.
Will keep you posted. Stan
We are working hard on getting our new range of concrete moulds up and running. Our new wall cladding moulds are looking terrific starting off with a cobblestone series then ledge stone and Gosford sandstone. We are introducing this new series with a low cost DIY entry point with PVC plastic moulds before following up with the premium PolyU rubber moulds for the professionals
The pavers have 3 new types to put up on the web in both plastic and PolyU while the tiles are available only in PVC at this stage.
Our new concrete stencils will be available hopefully next week complete with all the colour hardeners and sealers required. Adam is finalising these products while Joseph is setting up the new www.moulds4concrete.com.au web site to give better exposure to these new lines.
All these new products will mean that concrete will be one of the most interesting products to consider for an additional source of income let alone a new business opportunity.
The beauty of concrete is that you can start at home before making the plunge to rent a factory and employ staff. We intend to help beginners with all the product and technical information required to make it easy to enter this exciting field.
For the far sighted the opportunities in the concrete industry are far greater than those that existed in the hobby ceramic industry nearly 25 years ago when we helped set up hundreds of small studios operating from homes around NSW. Concrete will not be subject to the dictates of fashion or the competition from China.
Concrete has been seen for years at markets and fairs in the form of garden gnomes and figurines and will continue to fascinate . The new products will only expand on this existing market. Pavers are already proving a great success as new attractive designs can be introduced to compliment the plain stepping stones on sale at the garden centres. Concrete tiles have not been seen yet will be just as interesting to develop the natural bush look.
Wall cladding and stamping will take longer to develop as new skills are necessary but will prove to be well worth the effort of learning for the small business person and entrepreneur. Out of habit I typed "business man" but overseas women are showing the pace in many of these new fields as is proved by the fact that women far outnumber men in purchasing moulds from us as sources of additional income. Jewellery for just one avenue.
Will keep you posted. Stan
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
How to colour pavers
Question
How do I colour the pavers that I am producing with the ABS plastic moulds? Jim
Answer
The paver itself can be coloured by adding a metallic oxide base colour to the concrete mix before placing it in the mould. Additional colour or colours can be sprinkled into the mould before casting through a sieve to give a contrasting face colour to the base colour of the paver. Stan
How do I colour the pavers that I am producing with the ABS plastic moulds? Jim
Answer
The paver itself can be coloured by adding a metallic oxide base colour to the concrete mix before placing it in the mould. Additional colour or colours can be sprinkled into the mould before casting through a sieve to give a contrasting face colour to the base colour of the paver. Stan
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Materials for making Toy Soldiers
Question:
Hi, just wondering if you sell moulds for casting lead alloy soldiers or more specifically the kits, ingredients to make these moulds. Any help would be much appreciated.
Answer:
Hi Rob,We stock the silicone suitable for casting low temperature metals suitable for toy soldiers and have plans for making a kit in the new year. All the best Stan Alderson
Colouring Plaster and Concrete
Question:
Hi there, I've got a question. A guy up at bellingen uses some sort of color to color plaster like a sandy color. He says he dips it in. I can get you a pic of an item if you want to see one just curious if u have any ideas and other colors as they look pretty good and i got a lot of wall plaques i wouldnt mind doing.
Answer:
Hi, You get the colours in concrete and plaster by adding metallic oxides. We just put the colours up on our web store where you can see them. Click here to see the range. All the best for Christmas Joseph
Hi there, I've got a question. A guy up at bellingen uses some sort of color to color plaster like a sandy color. He says he dips it in. I can get you a pic of an item if you want to see one just curious if u have any ideas and other colors as they look pretty good and i got a lot of wall plaques i wouldnt mind doing.
Answer:
Hi, You get the colours in concrete and plaster by adding metallic oxides. We just put the colours up on our web store where you can see them. Click here to see the range. All the best for Christmas Joseph
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
What latex do I need? #70, #72 or #74?
Question:
Dear aldaxmoulds, I'm not sure which latex I need, what I want to do is make moulds of timber mouldings (like you see on old singer sewing machine drawers) and recreate them in plaster.
Answer:
Hi, You could use #72 Latex for the whole job. Where we wish to pick up fine detail we use #70 for the first 5 coats and then finish with #72. #74 can be used when there are large vertical surfaces on your model. All the best Stan
Dear aldaxmoulds, I'm not sure which latex I need, what I want to do is make moulds of timber mouldings (like you see on old singer sewing machine drawers) and recreate them in plaster.
Answer:
Hi, You could use #72 Latex for the whole job. Where we wish to pick up fine detail we use #70 for the first 5 coats and then finish with #72. #74 can be used when there are large vertical surfaces on your model. All the best Stan
What Materials to use casting chocolate?
Question:
Dear aldaxmoulds,Can you tell me what product would be best/safe to use for making chocolate moulds? Thanks
Answer:
Hi, Our plastic moulds are all made with food safe plastic however there is a difficulty with rubbers. We only know of one rubber that is food safe. A silicone Number M4642. Do not hesitate to contact us if I can be of further assistance.Stan
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