Makerbot Replicator 2x Silicone Heater Block Mold

This is a mold to make your own silicon sock for the heater block on the replicator 2x.

***EDIT*** I just made another one with JUST the soapy water and putting a glob of the silicone in each half of the mold and squeezing them together. This is the process outlined in the second video. It worked way better and was a lot cleaner actually. So I recommend the process in the second video, but both work well. I had nicer results and it went much quicker with the process outlined in the second video below. ***EDIT***

I recommend watching these two videos on the topic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5UiXky85hA&t=636s

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIbQROgT8h0

I used this high temp rtv silicone:

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-81630-Ultra-Temperature-Gasket/dp/B08CRY2BJB/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=230PA606PUGIY&keywords=high+temp+rtv&qid=1699300442&sprefix=high+temp+rtv%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

I used theses syringes:

https://www.amazon.com/10ml-Syringe-Sterile-BH-SUPPLIES/dp/B07KQP69RG/ref=sr_1_4?crid=28YS5KQCREKSQ&keywords=syringes&qid=1699300751&sprefix=syringes%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-4

The molds are bolted together with 4 m3x20 bolts and nuts.

I used Vaseline as a mold release and it did okay. I like the process outlined in the second video better. If I were to do it again I would use the soapy water technique and then place the glob of rtv, one inside the cope, one in the drag. Insert the core and squeeze them together and bolt it up. I would then follow up with the syringe to make sure there aren't any air bubbles.

I highly recommend curing for 48 hours using this rtv.

To get the mold apart there is a lip that can be pried apart. Do this slowly and help the silicone release with a pick. To get the core out I used a spatula to pry up from the "back" of the core and helped it along with the pick.

Strongly recommend these Bi Metal heat breaks:

https://www.amazon.com/Bimetal-Heatbreak-Temperature-Titanium-Creality/dp/B09WYRRXLX/ref=sr_1_15?crid=25Z65Q9HIK6WV&keywords=6mm%2Bbi%2Bmetal%2Bsmooth%2Bhot%2Bend%2Bheat%2Bbreak&qid=1698814679&sprefix=6mm%2Bbi%2Bmetal%2Bsmooth%2Bhot%2Bend%2Bheat%2Bbreak%2Caps%2C167&sr=8-15&th=1&fbclid=IwAR04oUdKK7JVwQ8-pXAj_GfYK0r2oa6gTxo9UPoPydCqX8WikxEn6L0pJ6k

These perform very well and help prevent clogs. I've run ABS and PLA through them and have had very good results and no clogs so far... knock on wood.