Silicone Ice Trays as casting molds tested.

[XanderPen]

I have been using these for a while now; they work... not very well. They cost around $2USD on Aliexpress. I have attached the photo directly from the listing you should be able to image search aliexpress and find them. They have never really given me perfectly straight castings (OR ICE!) there is always some bandsaw finishing involved to get them squared up for pen jaw chuck on the lathe for drilling.

The vertical candle mold is my preferred mold now; but these little icetrays worked for a while now. I have never used any mold release spray on them, never cleaned them; been casting in them for a few years now.

 

[Hippie3180]

In my experience these kind of blank molds do not yield a blank that is not some sort of wonky shaped…even in true blank molds. They are somewhat floppy and the sides bulge when filled with resin. Also, hard to get down into the pot without inadvertently squeezing the sides, spilling resin etc. Not a fan overall.

 

[JohnU]

Yep, a lot of those cheap molds are very thin and the weight of the resin distorts their shape. Over the years I've tried molds for candles, cooking, soap and some of those China sales sites with low success. I've also used some plastic food storage containers, pencil boxes, and butter dishes that work but nothing has conserved the resin, held up for repeated use or given me the correct size like a mold built specifically for pen blanks.

It's great that you're sharing your results. I'm sure there are many here who have considered these molds.

 

[XanderPen]

Yep, a lot of those cheap molds are very thin and the weight of the resin distorts their shape. Over the years I've tried molds for candles, cooking, soap and some of those China sales sites with low success. I've also used some plastic food storage containers, pencil boxes, and butter dishes that work but nothing has conserved the resin, held up for repeated use or given me the correct size like a mold built specifically for pen blanks.

It's great that you're sharing your results. I'm sure there are many here who have considered these molds.

I have bought the molds from America: they were terrible; they were dry rotted on arrival and ripped while trying to load them. They were extremely expensive as well. They all came highly recommended. They ripped apart I put them on the shelf over a year ago.

 

[JohnU]

I have bought the molds from America: they were terrible; they were dry rotted on arrival and ripped while trying to load them. They were extremely expensive as well. They all came highly recommended. They ripped apart I put them on the shelf over a year ago.

Yes, Those look to be the early version of molds sold in the pen making community. I had a few that tore also. I had to use some silicone caulk in the tear to "glue them" back together. Silicon has evolved since then. There are much better products being made from pen turner companies with more dense and sturdy silicone.

 

[XanderPen]

Yes, Those look to be the early version of molds sold in the pen making community. I had a few that tore also. I had to use some silicone caulk in the tear to "glue them" back together. Silicon has evolved since then. There are much better products being made from pen turner companies with more dense and sturdy silicone.

The ripped up molds were from "the pen turners community" dont want to bash the guy as he is probably a member here... silicone hasnt changed much in 14 months.

 

[MRDucks2]

If you bought them new, you should have reached back out and let the seller know. They should not have been in that condition.

Sounds like you may have purchased them second hand from another turner. If so, that can be pretty hot or miss. I have purchased second hand silicon molds but only when they were quite cheap (30% or less new price) and had good photos or I knew the individual. Even then I expect some damage and some to be unusable but the value usually pans out.

The dry rot makes me think the molds may have been worn out or very old before you received them. They do make good weight for hold things down while casting, though.

 

[JohnU]

The ripped up molds were from "the pen turners community" dont want to bash the guy as he is probably a member here... silicone hasnt changed much in 14 months.

I'm aware that they are from a mold maker in the community, and that really sucks because there are better silicones out there to use, with more flexibility, stronger tear strengths, and temperature resistance. I've had people tell me they avoid buying high price silicone molds because they are too expensive but it's because the quality material to make them cost more and they hold up. I've made many molds over the years for myself with various materials. I've learned that silicone is not all the same. To use that word is like using the word resin. Some just use better silicone suited for the job while others either don't understand the differences or try to save a buck. Sorry to hear you had the issues you did.

 

[XanderPen]

I'm aware that they are from a mold maker in the community, and that really sucks because there are better silicones out there to use, with more flexibility, stronger tear strengths, and temperature resistance. I've had people tell me they avoid buying high price silicone molds because they are too expensive but it's because the quality material to make them cost more and they hold up. I've made many molds over the years for myself with various materials. I've learned that silicone is not all the same. To use that word is like using the word resin. Some just use better silicone suited for the job while others either don't understand the differences or try to save a buck. Sorry to hear you had the issues you did.

I have tried to make my own silicone molds. Nothing turned out well and I never fully understood why/the chemistry mistakes behind it. The attempts were extremely costly as the silicones were not cheap: especially the platinum cured stuff. I gave up and ordered 5 molds from american companies at great cost for both the molds and shipping.

It is impossible for anyone to make a 6-hole vertical mold for $5.50USD. No one can make these ice tray molds for $1.20USD. The ice tray molds require some finishing work on the bandsaw. I am blocked from seeing the website now; but last I saw the vertical molds were >$120USD from turner warehouse.

 

[XanderPen]

If you bought them new, you should have reached back out and let the seller know. They should not have been in that condition.

Sounds like you may have purchased them second hand from another turner. If so, that can be pretty hot or miss. I have purchased second hand silicon molds but only when they were quite cheap (30% or less new price) and had good photos or I knew the individual. Even then I expect some damage and some to be unusable but the value usually pans out.

The dry rot makes me think the molds may have been worn out or very old before you received them. They do make good weight for hold things down while casting, though.

The shipping/vat/duty cost 200% more than the molds. I really dont want to bash the guy; but he wanted me to return these; that would have cost me $70+USD in traceable shipping + 2 hours of my time....and even if the seller paid the shipping I would have still be liable for the customs/duties when the replacements arrived here...

 

[XanderPen]

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If you bought them new, you should have reached back out and let the seller know. They should not have been in that condition.

Sounds like you may have purchased them second hand from another turner. If so, that can be pretty hot or miss. I have purchased second hand silicon molds but only when they were quite cheap (30% or less new price) and had good photos or I knew the individual. Even then I expect some damage and some to be unusable but the value usually pans out.

The dry rot makes me think the molds may have been worn out or very old before you received them. They do make good weight for hold things down while casting, though.

The molds were purchased new from the guy in america.

 

[JohnU]

I have tried to make my own silicone molds. Nothing turned out well and I never fully understood why/the chemistry mistakes behind it. The attempts were extremely costly as the silicones were not cheap: especially the platinum cured stuff. I gave up and ordered 5 molds from american companies at great cost for both the molds and shipping.

It is impossible for anyone to make a 6-hole vertical mold for $5.50USD. No one can make these ice tray molds for $1.20USD. The ice tray molds require some finishing work on the bandsaw. I am blocked from seeing the website now; but last I saw the vertical molds were >$120USD from turner warehouse.

Yes, silicone is expensive. The easiest I've used is the "Red Mold Maker" from Alumilite. Very quick and easy to get great success but a little costly. They currently have a 30% off sale with free shipping. It's worth the investment if you need something odd sized. For the common molds there are other companies out there and you can get a 6holed vertical mold for half the price you mentioned like at PTownSubbie.com and their silicone isn't the light blue easy to tear stuff. Unfortunately you have another issue with buying, being your location for shipping prices.

The problem with single blank molds like the ice cube trays is your very limited to the pouring techniques which limits the character you can add to the resin because of the narrow space. Pouring a block to cut into blanks will offer you the ability to add more character to your blanks, unless you're just pouring one color. There's lots of options out there for molds. your casting needs and use will determine the molds you can get away with. I cast too much for the inexpensive molds to be cost effective and currently use a clear plastic tube and rack system. It allows me to cast up to 36 blanks at a minimal cost but that works for my needs and set up. Best of luck!