Excelsior Entertainment Forums

Chronopia => Painting & Terrain => Topic started by: Veez on February 12, 2009, 07:19:46 PM

Title: Crystals
Post by: Veez on February 12, 2009, 07:19:46 PM
These were done using the resin copy option;  Learned a few hard lessons this way. 
1) Use more catalyst.
2) Use less ink for coloring.
3) If you don't do #1 and #2 you can cure it in the oven (350 degrees for about 10-20 min).
4) If you cure them in the oven, make sure the house is well ventillated.
5) Ultimately they will need to be mounted on some sort of base.

(http://i721.photobucket.com/albums/ww212/Veez2/Terain/100_1243.jpg)
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: luckyone on February 12, 2009, 08:02:38 PM
It wold be neat to have a whole board of different sizes and colors of crystals.
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: Veez on February 13, 2009, 04:34:52 AM
I plan on doing a few more in different colors-sizes I'm limited by the moulds.  I'm on the fence with how these compare to Glenn M's-I really like how he painted his up.  I imagine his were much less frustrating to put together as well (the clear type of resin is less user-friendly that the white version).  If I had to, I could always use plaster in the moulds and pattern after what he has done.

My next step is to figure out what color to do; a yellower green or maybe a blue or red.
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: Petru5 on February 13, 2009, 06:23:16 AM
Well, you got the best color out of the way first.  Yes, I play 'green' when I game.  I like the idea of a yellow-green, especially if you can striate the colors.  If you went with red, then you'd have a Christmas table.  Blue, particularly an electric blue, would look gorgeous.
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: joshuaslater on February 13, 2009, 09:38:55 AM
Cool.  I'd like to see them on a gaming table.
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: Veez on February 13, 2009, 11:16:51 AM
That can be arranged.
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: Manic _Miner on February 13, 2009, 12:36:13 PM
 Looking good Veez.They will come in handy for your Vor games too.
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: joshuaslater on February 13, 2009, 01:22:31 PM
Perhaps you could raise some capital by making some for forum members on a prepay basis....

I've made progress on finally getting some money for Topkick, so I thought I'd put that out there.
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: Glenn M on February 13, 2009, 02:30:14 PM
I like em, I wanted mine clear, but it ain't gonna happen as I am lazy as heck. 
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: Topkick on February 14, 2009, 12:49:13 PM
Feeling weak.....ugh...feels like I've been exposed to kryptonite....Damn you Lex Luthor...Ooops

In my defense they looked real and I am a super-dude. It said so on the Valentine's card my Mommy gave me.  ;D
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: Veez on February 14, 2009, 05:07:10 PM
@TK...very special! ;)

I used a (lousy but workable) mould making silicon that you paint on and painted it on some real quartz crystals I bought.  You then mix in clear resin, adding in a colorant (I originally used ink but paint works just fine-better in fact since it is dryer), add the catalyist and pour.  Once it is "solid" carefully transfer it to your oven and bake at about 375 for 15-30 min and let cool (preferrably in a cooler envronment like a fridge or my garage right now).

Make sure you do all this in a well ventellated area because it gives off some serious fumes.

As of today I have red, orange, green, blue, and white-it's translucent; I added some white paint as a dye to give it that clouded look that real quartz has; turned out okay.

That said, due to the fumes I think I'll give it a rest for a few days; I'm starting to feel woozy and I have jet packs to complete and mail out.
Title: Re: Crystals
Post by: Glenn M on February 15, 2009, 08:53:11 AM
Veez actually works for MI6 as an expert craftsmen in Jet Packs.  He also does the Rocketeer when not busy.