Using Sand as base for molding?

[cdiddy408]

I was watching a video on Alumilite about making a silicone mold of a thin vacuum-formed part and the instructor said to embed/lay the part over in sand. I've never heard this before and was amazed how simple the idea is!

Has anyone ever tried this? Using just sand as the bottom base, putting a thin layer/part in and adding keys to make a 2 part mold sounds like a much easier/faster way than going the clay route it seems.

[mufizal]

wow, that sounds so simple . but how would you separate the sand from the silicone .?

Mufizal

[Meta Jon]

Originally Posted by mufizal

wow, that sounds so simple . but how would you separate the sand from the silicone .?

Mufizal

I can't imagine huge clumps of it sticking so if you brush off the excess I can't think of a reason why it would matter if there was a thin layer of sand stuck to the first half of the mold

[Arcusprime]

This is how they cast larger metal part, fittings and such. There is a special dense packing sand you can use.