Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Breakaway bottles

Very thin greenware pottery can be used. If you can find a local pottery store (that makes their own goods) you can ask them.

Patrick L. Davis
Fort Findlay Playhouse

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One of the major problems with these items is that the cost to produce them is significantly high. You CAN create a mold if you know how to do that, of the piece you're needing to make if you have a suitable first item. The proper kind of silicone molds will work but the only problem you have using silicone is that it has a short life with the stuff used to make the breakaway bottles. Normally they use ALUMINUM molds - manufactured for this purpose because the stuff they use to make them is called PICCO RESIN and it has to be heated to a liquid state (molten lava if you're not careful) and then poured into the molds and then slathered around and then the excess poured off and the rest allowed to cool. VERY time consuming process. And again you CAN use silicone molds but you can only get a limited number of castings out of them because the heat eventually breaks down the silicone and makes it brittle. However, you CAN get high temperature silicone and that will help them last longer. OR instead of PICCO RESIN you could try one of the "candy glass" processes and formulas but that too would take a silicone mold. Made from sugar and water pretty much with some other additives, it is sticky, it can draw bugs but it works. And if you're hungry you can eat it like rock candy!! HAHA!! NO do NOT do that....just kidding. AND this too is molten lava in the wrong hands.

Also there is a silicone that is clear that you can use as "breakaway" made by SMOOTH-ON Company (a very reputable silicone manufacturer/dealer). BUT that's usually for film work because while it shatters into shards it won't have the breaking sound as it's not hard enough to make a noise but it's darn safe for sure.

Anyway, I know they're expensive but your best bet for safety's sake and such - buy them. Just be VERY judicious in your use of them so you have enough to complete your project. Unless you're set up and have someone who knows how to make flexible silicone molds (with rigid mother molds) and knows how to work with PICCO RESIN - you're shootin' in the dark.

But good luck with whatever you choose to do.

TonyDi

Edited by TonyDi - 7/07/10 at 7:06am

"Almost famous"

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Author	Message
MacThespian Walk-On Joined: 11/19/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Breakaway bottles Posted: 7/05/10 at 12:11am
	I'll be directing a production of Guys and Dolls next year, and I like the idea of using a breakaway bottle at the end of the Havana scene. Unfortunately, these cost $20 each, and that puts them out the reach of our community theatre. Is there (a) any less expensive source, or (b) a way to make them that would be safe but also (do I repeat myself/) less expensvie? Thanks.

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pdavis69 Celebrity Joined: 3/26/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 437	Posted: 7/06/10 at 6:56pm
	Very thin greenware pottery can be used. If you can find a local pottery store (that makes their own goods) you can ask them.
	Patrick L. Davis Fort Findlay Playhouse
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MacThespian Walk-On Joined: 11/19/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 7/06/10 at 7:00pm
	Thanks! I hadn't even thought of that.
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TonyDi Celebrity Joined: 9/13/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 325	Posted: 7/07/10 at 7:04am
	One of the major problems with these items is that the cost to produce them is significantly high. You CAN create a mold if you know how to do that, of the piece you're needing to make if you have a suitable first item. The proper kind of silicone molds will work but the only problem you have using silicone is that it has a short life with the stuff used to make the breakaway bottles. Normally they use ALUMINUM molds - manufactured for this purpose because the stuff they use to make them is called PICCO RESIN and it has to be heated to a liquid state (molten lava if you're not careful) and then poured into the molds and then slathered around and then the excess poured off and the rest allowed to cool. VERY time consuming process. And again you CAN use silicone molds but you can only get a limited number of castings out of them because the heat eventually breaks down the silicone and makes it brittle. However, you CAN get high temperature silicone and that will help them last longer. OR instead of PICCO RESIN you could try one of the "candy glass" processes and formulas but that too would take a silicone mold. Made from sugar and water pretty much with some other additives, it is sticky, it can draw bugs but it works. And if you're hungry you can eat it like rock candy!! HAHA!! NO do NOT do that....just kidding. AND this too is molten lava in the wrong hands. Also there is a silicone that is clear that you can use as "breakaway" made by SMOOTH-ON Company (a very reputable silicone manufacturer/dealer). BUT that's usually for film work because while it shatters into shards it won't have the breaking sound as it's not hard enough to make a noise but it's darn safe for sure. Anyway, I know they're expensive but your best bet for safety's sake and such - buy them. Just be VERY judicious in your use of them so you have enough to complete your project. Unless you're set up and have someone who knows how to make flexible silicone molds (with rigid mother molds) and knows how to work with PICCO RESIN - you're shootin' in the dark. But good luck with whatever you choose to do. TonyDi Edited by TonyDi - 7/07/10 at 7:06am
	"Almost famous"
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MacThespian Walk-On Joined: 11/19/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 7/07/10 at 8:02am
	That's a very thorough answer--not exactly what I was hoping for, but at least you explained the process in detail, and why these cost so much--and the pitfalls of trying to make my own. Thanks.
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Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup
Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board :Producing Theater :Props, Scenery, Costumes and Makeup

Topic: Breakaway bottles( Topic Closed)