Videos

Making Parts, Patterns, Tools, & Molds
Video Library

Welcome to Freeman's video library, featuring over three hours of instructional and product videos, making it the most comprehensive free resource for the making of parts, patterns, tools and molds.

More videos are currently in production. The only way to access all of the videos in this library and be notified of new releases is to join our newsletter. Sign up here.

Our videos are available on a compilation DVD, which is included
as part of select sample kits, or
for purchase on eBay.

Making Parts, Patterns, Tools, & Molds - Our Introduction

intro

This video introduces many of the videos on this site and puts it all in perspective. Learn about:

Section 1 - Preparing Models & Molds
Section 2 - Mold Making & Casting
Section 3 - Laminate Tooling & Composites
Section 4 - Products

View Introduction Video

Section 1 - Preparing Models & Molds

Machining a Master Model

We briefly demonstrate how master models are created, with special attention paid to CNC machining, from CAD software to the finishing machining pass.

Sealing & Releasing Models and Molds

We demonstrate proper procedures for sealing your model or mold and then applying release agents to allow for easy and clean part release.

Weighing & Mixing Liquid Tooling Materials

We explain how to calculate your material requirements for a job. Then we demonstrate proper agitating, weighing, and mixing procedures. Both 1:1 ratio and uneven ratio materials are covered.

Vacuum Degassing & Pressurizing

We demonstrate the use of vacuum degassing equipment and pressure pots in order to achieve virtually perfect, void-free castings.

Section 2 - Mold Making & Casting

Making Rigid Molds With Fast-Cast Urethanes

Ideal for smaller models/molds with a flat side, fast-cast urethanes are widely used for their ease of use, low cost, and quick demold times. However, their use requires careful application of release agents.

Urethane Rubber Molds

Urethane Rubber molds are widely used when a flexible mold material is required and a more expensive or less abrasion-resistant silicone rubber is not desired. However, their use requires careful application of release agents.

Simple Silicone Rubber Molds (no parting line)

Ideal for smaller projects (less than 12" x 12"), this is the easiest process for creating parts, patterns, tools, & molds. We demonstrate creating a silicone rubber mold and then the casting of parts with Repro, epoxy casting resins and polyurethane elastomers.

Two-Part Silicone Rubber Molds (with a straight parting line)

When mass casting a part without a flat side, you must create a two-part mold. We create a two-part silicone rubber mold with a clean parting line and then cast the part with Repro.

Casting Thin-Walled Parts

Casting thin-walled parts follows a similar process to the mass casting video above. However, this project requires important differences in venting, gating, and the use of pressure.

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Casting Molds & Models With Intricate Detail

The more detailed your patterns, the more difficult it is to cast void-free molds and parts. Here we show you a few tricks to get consistently better results when working with highly detailed castings.

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Moldmaking With Clear Silicone Rubber

When a project requires a complex parting line, it is often easier to pour the entire mold in one process with clear rubber, then cut your parting line. This process also saves at least a day in creating the mold.

Silicone Rubber Molds with Complex Parting Lines

Sometimes making a straight parting line (or even a simple curved one) isn't practical. Therefore, one must be creative when forming the two halves of a silicone rubber mold. This process shows one method for creating complex parting lines.

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Multiple Cavity Molds

When a project requires numerous duplications, a multiple cavity mold is created, enabling many more duplications to be created in a set amount of time.

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Surface Casting

Ideal for working on medium-sized projects, this process of pouring a high quality material around a lower quality core creates a highly accurate, yet economical part.

Section 3 - Laminate Tooling & Composites

Introduction to Epoxy Laminating Systems

Ideal for working on larger projects, a typical 'fiberglass layup' is a popular process for those who need a large, strong, and lightweight tool.

Building a Fiberglass Laminate Mold

Here we apply the techniques from the video above plus some more advanced techniques to create a more complex epoxy fiberglass laminate tool.

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Vacuum Bagging a Composite Part

Using the fiberglass mold created above, we demonstrate the vacuum bagging process by forming a carbon fiber part.

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Paste Laminating Systems

This process is for working on medium to large projects, this is a labor-saving process for those who need a large, strong tool in the least amount of time possible. This video also demonstrates three-part mold construction.

The Repro Laminating System

Ideal for working on medium-sized projects, this process is easier, faster, and more economical than the epoxy laminating system.

Glove Molding Systems

Ideal for working on medium and large projects, this process involves creating a thin layer of flexible material and backing it up with a stronger, rigid material.

Section 4 - Products

Repro Fast-Cast Urethanes

Our own industry-standard, fast-setting, low cost, filled urethane systems for foundry tooling, molds, prototypes, and models.

Freeman & Ren Polyurethanes

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From Freeman's greatly expanded FMSC lines of economical urethanes to Huntman's premium lines of Ren Parts-In-Minutes and RenCast polyurethanes, Freeman carries the best selection of quality urethanes for any project.

Bluestar Silicone Rubber

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Covering Bluestar's high-quality lines of silicone systems for rapid prototype tooling, polyurethane casting, general plastic tooling and silicone mold-making, this video also includes exclusive demonstrations of cure inhibition, perhaps the least understood characteristic of addition cure and condensation cure silicone rubber.

Freeman Machinable Wax

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Our own very hard machining wax designed for proofing CNC programs, plus constructing self-releasing models, prototypes and master patterns.

Freeman Sheet Wax

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Freeman Sheet Wax is used primarily to simulate metal or part thickness when making metal forming dies or punches, resin transfer molds (RTM), or any two part molds where a uniform part thickness is desired.

RenShape Modeling & Tooling Boards (and SMP)

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From modeling, styling and low-density foam board to foundry boards, fixtures, prototype metal-forming and even injection-molding RenShape is the most complete line of urethane and epoxy tooling boards. This video also introduces seamless modeling paste, a complement to the RenShape line for economical retooling and very large tooling projects.

Perfect Plank Specialty Lumber

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Perfect Plank is a laminated pattern lumber, patented and manufactured for the pattern, mold and model industries. With the scarcity of high quality rough lumber, Perfect Plank is a popular alternative for making wood patterns.

Freeman TUF Repair & Buildup Materials

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Our extensive line of polyester repair and build-up materials, including Quik-Fil, a unique material designed for the repair of urethane modeling boards.

F-Bond & Araldite Adhesives

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From Freeman F-Bond line of one-component cyanoacrylate adhesives and accessories to the Araldite lines of urethane, epoxy, and methacrylate adhesives, this is the most complete offering of adhesives for the modern toolmaker.

The VRM-65 Silicone Rubber Spray System

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Featuring Bluestar VRM-65 thixotropic silicone rubber and a modified Michael Engineering RamFlow dispensing machine, this video shows a unique spray system that allows for rapid, even application of silicone on larger models.

Section 5 - Other Manufacturers' Videos

The following videos have been produced by the respective manufacturers. We've converted them for online viewing as a service to our visitors. All rights are reserved by the original owners or producers.

Lab-Metal and High Temp Lab-Metal

Produced by the manufacturer, Alvin Products, this provides a simple introduction to the metal filler system.

Ren Parts-In-Minutes Polyurethanes

Produced by the RenShape Solutions division of Huntman Advanced Materials.

RenShape Express 2000 Moldmaking System

Produced by the RenShape Solutions division of Huntman Advanced Materials.

Adolf's Anti-Shift Inserts

Produced by Adolf's Pattern Shop