Making an antler cast (actually elephant tusk cast)

[TeacherMan]

I was given an elephant skull and the guy that gave it to me said I can borrow the ivory anytime to make a cast so I can have tusks in it.

Where and how do I begin? The last thing I want to do is mess this guys ivory up. I was watching Mounted in Alaska and they made a mold with a red rubber looking material that dried really nice and made a cool mold. Don't know what it was? Plus what material did they poor in it to make the cast? What do you think would be a far price to have done at a taxidermist?

thanks, any web links would also be very helpful!

Just think how cool its going to be to hand an elephant skull with tusks on the wall in a classroom! Kids will flip.

[bucklucky]

It will depend on how big the tusks are. I have done a few molds and they are very expensive to do. You first have to do about 8 layers of latex and then you must build the mother mold to hold the latex in place. There are a ton more steps than that but it gives you and idea. I have done many mold before. Its not real hard but very time consuming. Your mold would be a one time type deal. I can get away by using a somewhat cheaper latex and go with a thinner mother mold. It is easily a 3 day project more than likely unless the tusks are smaller than I think they are. If you have a Taxi do it more than likely it would be in that 1200.00 range could be more. I will guestimate that your supplies will be in the 400.00 range itself . Do you really want them that badily ? If so and you want to know exactly how much it will run let me know 

[bucklucky]

Plastic is used to cast the tusks . I may be off a bit on supplies, It could be quite a bit more depending on how much plastiuc needs to be used. Add another 200 to the supplies  It really depends on how many gallons need to be used to poor the tusks. I was thinking you may be able to do a hollow tusk and fill it but niot sure how that will work out. Figure 400ish in materials .
 
 

[bucklucky]

I hope this link works.

http://www.smooth-on.com/gallery.php?galleryid=285

[TeacherMan]

What about a foam like mold or even using a foam to fill the mold?

thanks

[bucklucky]

What about a foam like mold or even using a foam to fill the mold?

thanks

The hard part is getting the plastic to coat the whole tusk thick enough to poor foam into it. You have to be able to move the mold around in every direction possible to get it completely coated. Youd probably use 1/3 the amount of plastic, and then you could use expanding foam before it is demolded but would have to leave the top end open somehow. Have to make a 3 part mold with basically a cap so the foam can expand out . Foam isnt cheap either. I would think a quart would probably be enough .   Not sure but I think they sell quart kits.

  Foam mold?? I dont know how you could use foam as a mold. You can use it to fill a hallow cast though. I was thinking that would probably be the route to go its just tough not knowing if you completely coated the inside or not.

[Jason]

what about a fiberglass mold 

[bucklucky]

what about a fiberglass mold 

That would be what the mother mold is made of. I didn't make that clear in my post. The mother mold supports the latex mold to hold the cast in place so it is in the correct shape.

[TeacherMan]

I hope this link works.

http://www.smooth-on.com/gallery.php?galleryid=285

cool site! You have any ideas where I can get premolded tusks?

[bucklucky]

You know I think there are some reproductions but I will have too look.

[bucklucky]

http://trophyreproductions.com/rates.htm

http://www.jonas-supply.com/_e/dept/28-001/Elephant_Tusks.htm

http://www.mckenziesp.com/Tusks-C2429.aspx

Not cheap  Hope that helps.

[TeacherMan]

http://trophyreproductions.com/rates.htm

http://www.jonas-supply.com/_e/dept/28-001/Elephant_Tusks.htm

http://www.mckenziesp.com/Tusks-C2429.aspx

Not cheap  Hope that helps.

thanks!

[Axtell]

cool site! You have any ideas where I can get premolded tusks?

http://www.vandykestaxidermy.com/Search.aspx?k=elephant%20tusks

[TeacherMan]

Lots of spots, cheapest around $450. Little high for me for a free skull I got. Newest idea, making them out of wood???  Not worried about it for now.

[bucklucky]

There you go Teach, may not be to hard to get done  out of wood. If a guy can carve a fish out of wood and make it look real, a couple tusks would seem easy-ish