Largehead Louie Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 I would like to make a mold from a real (or real close to real) Mudpuppy Salamander, approximately 9-10" long. Anyone know where I can get a real specimen, or a lifelike model to make a mold from? Thanks in advance for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerworm Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 hey derek call around to some local reptile stores and ask that way. we used to seine them in MO and the river smallies would tear them up!! ours usually run 4-6" but they might get bigger farther south im not for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Prager Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I would like to make a mold from a real (or real close to real) Mudpuppy Salamander, approximately 9-10" long. Anyone know where I can get a real specimen, or a lifelike model to make a mold from? Thanks in advance for your input. http://www.salamandersandnewts.info/ads/water-dog-salamander-for-sale-80728205258.cfm?lts=110330185818 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Largehead Louie Posted April 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2011 http://www.salamande...ts=110330185818 Thanks for the Link. I'll try to give them a call early next week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smallie Posted April 3, 2011 Report Share Posted April 3, 2011 Thanks for the Link. I'll try to give them a call early next week. Remember, these guys sell them for pets so you might not want to mention what you plan to do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vodkaman Posted April 3, 2011 Report Share Posted April 3, 2011 Remember, these guys sell them for pets so you might not want to mention what you plan to do with it. You do not have to kill it to make the cast. put it in the fridge (NOT the freezer) for a few minutes, until it slows down. Make a cast using alginate. You have to be quick, but it sets up in seconds, allowing you to release the animal unharmed. You can only make one cast from this mold and you cannot use resin or epoxy type materials. I use plaster to make the cast from this type of mold. After drying, seal the plaster with thinned epoxy. From here you can make an RTV mold from the plaster. Bear in mind that any small appendages will probably break off, but the process works and the detail is excellent. I did a cast of my own face and every pore was visible in the plaster cast. I believe in cast and release, LOL. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
