Sterling Models - Rock Castings

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Deep Profile Rock Castings

Our Deep Profile rock castings are cast as hollow, three dimensional rocks with most having an opening in the back. By having detail not only on the face but also on the sides, top and bottom of the casting, a rock outcropping can be made fully three dimensional. Being hollow they are only a thin shell that can be cut or trimmed for fitting if necessary. Because they are cast in white hydrocal they can be used along with shallow castings made with commercially available rock molds which the modeler may already have.

Our rock castings will fall under two basic categories. One is dramatic rock formations that tend to indicate to the modeler how they should be oriented into the scenery. These are more user friendly, however, they are easily recognized which makes it more difficult to use them repeatedly. The other is general rock shapes that can be used repeatedly without recognition by turning or orienting them differently, allowing the modeler to be more creative. Our present selection of castings falls into the first category.

We are taking an artistic approach to creating, using, and identifying our rock castings while at the same time recognizing some general geological principles. By observing the color and shapes of rocks the modeler can create many different types of rocks from our castings.

We are working on adding a page with suggestions for creating scenery with our rock castings

and step-by-step painting and weathering instructions.

To cut and fit castings, if needed, a hacksaw can be used by cutting very slowly and making sure the kerf is kept the full width of the saw set so that the blade does not bind. If the blade binds it can snap the casting. A dremel moto-tool with a tile cutting bit can also be used.

Castings are listed with a letter/number system that can aid the modeler in identifying which castings will work together.

The first letter group identifies the rock type(s) the casting represents.

IM Igneous or Metamorphic

S Shale or Slate

The second letter group identifies the rock type that was used as the master for the casting.

Q Quartz

S Shale

L Limestone

As we have more castings made available in the future some will represent the same rock type but be made from a different rock type master. Castings made from the same rock type master (the second letter group) will work together. Those having the same first letter group may or may not work together if they did not have the same rock type as a master. The modeler must determine this from the pictures. If you have any questions regarding the castings please contact us.

The castings listed as composites are made up of one or more of the available castings. These are identified so the modeler can be aware that some parts of the composite may be recognized from another casting.

The castings come unpainted.

They are photographed painted to show detail.

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