Concrete numbers (molds for casting) 0-8
thingiverse
A set of 3D printed molds for casting your own concrete numerals (0-8). I created these for my wedding to use as table numerals; they looked fantastic finished with some 'upcycling' spray paint - one side silver, one gold. I did not create a 9 or an 8, but 8 is included (untested). Zero because I'm a code expert! Some top-heavy numerals require a base plate: 8mm flat bar in my case, cut and polished. I used an M10 wingnut embedded in the concrete casting, and a very short countersunk bolt in the plate (see pictures). Most of the numerals are made from two-part molds that are glued together (I used hot-glue and it held fine). For each numeral: - Glue the two halves of the mold, sealing any leaks. - Make the mixture (adding water to pre-mixed concrete). - Scoop the mixture into the mold. - Get the mixture into the corners (I used a metal ruler). - Vibrate the mold to get the air bubbles to rise out. I vibrated the surface the mold was on, to not crack the mold. Using a bent bolt in a drill chuck works great. The molds are quite fragile but print fast. I optimized them for my own setup: making them thin (two walls) for my 0.6mm nozzle, with 0.25-0.3mm layer height. My 3D printer platform is about 28cm x 14cm so all the molds fit into that envelope. The molds are a little fragile at their size, and some cracked as the concrete dried. I salvaged the numerals by sanding them. The numerals will probably not release out of the mold - I had to use heat to get the PLA soft and literally peel it away from the concrete (the middle of the 4 is particularly tricky!). I used a gas-powered soldering iron without the tip, just the open flame. All in, I made about ten numerals (two failed) - used about twelve to fourteen kilograms of ready-mixed concrete, so just over half a twenty-kilogram bag. It's a challenging project but well worth it! The numerals are very strong as long as your mixture is right; none broke for me. They looked great in situ and were a great talking point!
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