Guitar Hero Hacks: Key Molding

Step 2 Single Key Mold

This is pretty simple and straightforward. You lay a single key down on your mold board. Then you cut the bottom off of a disposable cup, and hot glue the top portion to the mold board around the key. That's it. You're ready to mix up and pour.

Comments

[mikeyc.2009]

Try putting a really tiny amount of plasticine clay at the seam where the board and the part come together. This will help secure the part to the board and keep the silicone from flowing under the part. Makes for a cleaner and sharper edge.

[zbrown2016]

can i use PLASTIC DIP?

[drdoom8793]

i can reuse this single mold, right?

[RiddleOfSphinx]

If I'm not mistaken, you can use these molds up until the "shelf life" ( That may be wrong terminology, but oh well :P) expires. If I remember right, from a tut I read online, it gets old when it starts turning a yellowish tint ? So, yeah, I'm thinking you can use it until it starts getting that tarnished, smokers stain look to it.

[Psygarion]

Would it also be realistic to fill a disposable cup 'bout 1/2 way then push the key into it?

[bofthem]

If you're talking about molding the key I'd suggest against trying to float the key in after pouring the silicone as you'll impossibly trap bubbles in the alignment holes and it will be impossible to get the key to set right in the cup. But, if you paste the key to the bottom of the cup and follow the steps just as in the instructable you'll be able to make it work just as well.

[toastytoast10]

I really want to do this but one thing, how much silicone should i but for just one set of frets? and for that matter, how much of the other stuff do i need? A few of my friends want me to make these for them so i need to know about how much material each set of frets needs. Please Be Specific! Thank you!

[bofthem]

I never measured the amounts, so couldn't tell you exactly how much to use. Additionally, it's going to be impossible to buy an exact amount of the silicone, resin, etc that you need, so the smallest size containers you can find of each should be fine. If I had to guess, and this is a really rough estimate, I'd say that a gang mold of the keys is about 20floz and each key is 3floz. This is going to vary on the quality of the mold, how much extra room you leave in between keys and how many bubbles are in your casting.

[hbartosik]

Where do you buy this type of silicone? Good instructable by the way.

[bofthem]

You can get it from art supply stores like Perl Paint. You can also order it from Smooth On's website. If you have a hobby shop locally, they sometimes carry casting materials, or at least are interested in the subject, and can point you on where to go.