How would i go about suspending things in Custom Sanwa Balltops?

[SlayerAlex]

New to crafts in general and i was wondering if this was possible and if anyone had any tips. Heres what i think i would need at least.

Heres a pic of a transparent sanwa bal;l top to get an idea.

http://lizardlick.com/images/for_sale/joysticks/seimitsu_lb39_w.jpg

its clear, this one has bubbles though and i dont want that.

I want to put stuff inside like a Bee (for Arakune players,) or Possibly a tiny rose ( I play Dudley). Kinda like in Kingpin.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.cinematical.com/media/2007/03/kingpin.jpg

SO i would need this thing for the screw in thing

http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk/products/LB-30Nthreadadapter.htm

Then some kind of mold im guessing? All i could find was this one.

http://store.chicagomoldschool.com/product_p/gs1-5.htm

Its food grade so its kinda expensive. PLus im not sure if melted plastic gets hotter then melted sugar... this this might not be best.

ANyone ever go about this or know where i could get more info? Where would i get melted plastic from? Or is it some kind of glue that gets super solid and stays clear? any tips would be great! Or just post ideas of cool ideas junk i could put in there if i ever get this down. ie. eye ball, diamond, ant farm ect ect..

[drventure]

I'd probably use that Clear epoxy stuff that is often used for coating tabletops. You can get it online or at home depot usually.

As for a mold and that thread adapter....hmm.

For the mold, maybe a pingpong ball, something you can easily cut off once the casting is hard.For the thread, you could thread it onto a screw, seal the end somehow so that the epoxy wouldn't get into the threads, and then suspend it into the epoxy once it's poured? It'd be tricky, but it's a cool idea, though.

Maybe a craft store like Micheal's would have some equipment for casting like that. It was a fairly popular thing to do a while back (put scorpions, or spiders etc into the epoxy as paperweights...)

[Nannuu]

I've had that idea myself!  Futurama and/or Simpsons balltops!  Just been too cheap to pony up the money for the stuff.  I would think Smooth On would have the right stuff, they have a pretty good selection.  Alumalite also has a product that may work.

http://www.smooth-on.com/Encapsulation-and-/c1277/index.html

http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Casting Resins&Name=Alumilite Crystal Clear

[SlayerAlex]

I'd probably use that Clear epoxy stuff that is often used for coating tabletops. You can get it online or at home depot usually.

As for a mold and that thread adapter....hmm.

For the mold, maybe a pingpong ball, something you can easily cut off once the casting is hard.For the thread, you could thread it onto a screw, seal the end somehow so that the epoxy wouldn't get into the threads, and then suspend it into the epoxy once it's poured? It'd be tricky, but it's a cool idea, though.

Maybe a craft store like Micheal's would have some equipment for casting like that. It was a fairly popular thing to do a while back (put scorpions, or spiders etc into the epoxy as paperweights...)

hey that ping pong ball is a good idea. I see its only 5mm bigger then a balltop. so thats not much at all. Does clear Epoxy dry hard? like a hard plastic or is it bouncy and rubbery?

I've had that idea myself!  Futurama and/or Simpsons balltops!  Just been too cheap to pony up the money for the stuff.  I would think Smooth On would have the right stuff, they have a pretty good selection.  Alumalite also has a product that may work.

http://www.smooth-on.com/Encapsulation-and-/c1277/index.html

http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Casting Resins&Name=Alumilite Crystal Clear

HAH thats a good idea. I would love a metal case arcade stick with a Bender's head stuck inside the ball top. Or maybe just his head as the top itself. Anyway same question i wonder if these will dry hard.

http://www.smooth-on.com/Crystal-Clear%3D-S/c1156/index.html

this one i think will but it says its not for home use

[drventure]

the epoxy I'm thinking of dries clear and hard as a rock.

I actually used the bioclear810 on my desk. Stuff is great. you wouldn't need much though.

http://www.epoxyproducts.com/bartop.html

[SlayerAlex]

the epoxy I'm thinking of dries clear and hard as a rock.

I actually used the bioclear810 on my desk. Stuff is great. you wouldn't need much though.

http://www.epoxyproducts.com/bartop.html

oh sweet thanks a bunch. I just checked online and theres a place that sells it close buy. I'll check it out tommorow. If things go well I'll post pics.

[opt2not]

I've had that idea myself!  Futurama and/or Simpsons balltops!  Just been too cheap to pony up the money for the stuff.  I would think Smooth On would have the right stuff, they have a pretty good selection.  Alumalite also has a product that may work.

http://www.smooth-on.com/Encapsulation-and-/c1277/index.html

http://www.alumilite.com/ProdDetail.cfm?Category=Casting Resins&Name=Alumilite Crystal Clear

First post in two years!  Man, I really stirred up the hornet's nest with that other post huh?
Sorry Nannuu!!!

[RandyT]

As someone who has been down this road, let me say it's a tough one to travel.   Molding a ball is difficult, but not impossible.  However, getting a ball out of a mold with an acceptable finish, is nearly impossible.  The balls would need to be ground and polished to get a good finish on them, and that takes special materials and equipment.

RandyT

[Hituro]

The balls would need to be ground and polished to get a good finish on them, and that takes special materials and equipment.

RandyT

lol sorry this quote made me laugh.