? liquid rubber for moulds ?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:31 pm

calling on the collective genius of everyone on this forum....

who knows anthing on rubber , as in buying raw materials, mixing it together and pouring into a mould to get a tough durable rubber product?

I have some rather pricey orthotics that fit along the length of my shoes, have seen how a mould is made (using MY feet!) and have worked out the process of mould making just not the rubber making process. It is just black rubber, dunno if it is fine rubber powder mixed into a rubbery goo and left to set, been cut at with sharp tools, even sanded in an industrial wood working sander to obtain the finished product. I wanna try make my own is the bottom line, so I can have a set for both my pairs of shoes.

Any experience in making moulded rubber products will be welcome

I do not need the slippery sort that one can squeeze of the moulded product like at school for copying Turner or Stanley screwdriver handles

It needs to be tuff like car tyre rubber, forgiving not, a hard compressed rubber product to bond a fabric liner for foot/sock side, that won't crumble

many thanks for any input

Jonno.

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Mon Jan 05, 2009 7:39 pm

You might be better off with something more like polyurathane than rubber.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:40 am

What do you need to make? I made an solid engine mount by using Polyurethane a few years back..
Cheers
AP

Storm · Post by **Storm** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:38 am

Check out the Yellow pages (website or book) and look up industrial rubber supplies or something like that. Companies listed in that should be able to help you get the raw rubber product. Your problem will be curing the rubber, from memory you need to heat it for a lengthy period and the fumes from the rubber are poisonous so you can't use your oven at home to do it.

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 8:39 am

Polyurethane was my first thought as well but applications vary due to usage?

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 5:51 pm

orthotics are under foot supports - is what I'd like to try to make for myself

I think polyurethane is just a squidge too hard

I have been googling various keywords - had better luck looking for anodising kits.

I wanna be able to make up this natural rubber goo to pour or pack into an open mould of my foot (not tinea either!), be able to carve it and/or sand it down to correct shape.

it will be just another learning curve, thanks

bluesteel · Post by **bluesteel** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:20 pm

could try sikaflex... works for everythig else!!!

Gannon · Post by **Gannon** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:31 pm

Are you trying to make your own 'orthaheel' type shoe inserts?

Even something like roof & gutter silicone could do the job. Its pretty durable, plus its kinda squishy so it will be comfortable

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:55 pm

thinking it may be easier to order another set as the guy uses differing hardness in different load bearing spots. these also take in front of foot also.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 12:51 pm

Yeah, I'd use silicone too!

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Thu Feb 05, 2009 10:01 am

in an attempt to follow up on questions asked

I found a website when googling silicone hose supplies and came up with a company that supply stuff that may be helpful website called solidsolution .com .au might be plural with an s