molding to create decoys

[nh123]

Hey there,
My friends and I have made a life-size goose out of clay. We were wondering if it would be possible to make a mold of the clay goose and then fill the mold to create hallow copies of the original clay goose. we have no idea where to start.

Any help would be appreciated

thanks

 

[dwightdixon]

Lots of people make goose decoys. Do you want to compete commercially? Go to any outdoor store and look at the pricing and the way they are made. Do you have a business plan, and model, and distribution, and money necessary to get into the business and make a profit before your funding is used up? Lots of big guys out there making them by bloe molding or rotocasting. Have fun, but do not waste too much time or money undertaking something you can not finish.

 

[nh123]

my friends and i have talked about making a decoy company. we are most after making decoys for our personal use and go from there. im just tring to get some advise on where to start, what we need to do, and who we need to go to.

 

[berkshire]

nh123
For small quantities for your personal use, you may be better off making your copies from fiberglass reinforced polyester resin. The tools and equipment are far less complicated than those needed for roto or blow molding.
There are dozens of books on this subject. Do a Google search on Fiberglass Molding.
Good luck.
B.E.

 

[bvanhiel]

Google "Rotocasting".

-b

 

[patprimmer]

Google slush moulding or PVC plastisols

Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[dwightdixon]

Many goose decoy sellers actually do not own the companies that produce the decoys. Setting up a company to manufacture decoys can be quite expensive if you buy new machines and have to provide a building. Most do own the molds the manufacturers are using. Depending on which time of molding you intend to go with this could be $10,000 just for a couple of good molds. If you value your time at anything you can usually buy some cheap decoys for less than you will have involved in making a couple of fiberglass molds and setting up the shop.

 

[automatic2]

or, you could go the cheap route. Your moulds will represent 4 quadrants of the object. upper and lower body sections ( a single upper if floatation is not required), and a left and right head profile. Your moulds can be made of fiberglass. Drill plenty of small holes over the area of the mold to allow a vacuum to pull the sheet into the mould. Next you'll need sheet stock. I've never done it, so I'll guess a 1/8" stock would be close. You'll need an oven to heat the stock till it's pliable (formable). Best way would be to support the stock sheet in a frame that could be slide into the oven. Once your sheet begins to droop, slide it out over the mould and start your vacuum cleaner thats attached to the mould box. Start your next sheet in the oven while the formed sheet is cooling. Now you'll use some basic hand tools to trim. Glue your parts together and paint.

Happy hunting