Mixing Oogoo - the Quick, Easy, Less Mess Way (with Dremel)

I am an artist and love using Oogoo for all kinds of things (mostly mould making), BUT I hate the smell, the sticky MESS and the clean up. UGH!!!

So after weeks of experiments and research, I have come up with a method that is (almost) odourless and definitely a whole lot less messy.

So my first instructable. Here we go.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

A Dremel or similar rotary tool

A suitable container to make the goo in

A clear plastic bottle with cap that will fit over the container

Silicone

Household bleach

Cornflour or cornstarch (same thing, different name)

Acrylic paint to colour (optional)

Metal skewer - it MUST be this kind of skewer with the ring loop at the end. Called BBQ skewers in Australia (Pic 2).

STEP ONE

First step is to find a container that is appropriate for the amount of goo you want to make. I have several sizes as I sometimes only want a tablespoon and at other times, a whole lot. Container also needs to be made of tough plastic, as it is dangerous to use glass with the Dremel, and the goo may stick to other surfaces. The height is important too, as the skewer, once mounted on the Dremel needs to be able to reach the bottom of the container, so container cannot be too tall. I am using an old, empty silicone container cut down to size.

STEP TWO

Next we need to find a suitable plastic water or soda bottle. It needs to be large enough to enclose the container completely. We then adapt the bottle by drilling a hole in the cap, fitting it over the Dremel shank and screwing bottle onto cap (Pic 3). Now cut the bottom off the bottle and trim the height so it covers the container but also allows you to hold it while working. I find about 3/4 of the way down works well. The bottle serves a dual purpose as it helps contain the fumes and any flying goo while also forming a safety shield around the spinning machine.

NOTE: I am now using the whole plastic bottle to totally enclose the container by cutting the bottle down as described above and then refitting the pieces together with the container inside. Even less fumes!

STEP THREE

To fit skewer into Dremel with shield attached you must first thread skewer through bottom of bottle and out through neck (Pic 4). Fit shank into machine and screw bottle onto cap to secure shield. When fitting for the first time run Dremel as slowly as possible (under the shield) to check machine is balanced and happy. I did try and cut one skewer shorter, but it threw the whole thing out of balance and it did the wild spinning, weed eater thing. Don't know why just cutting it shorter would do that, but it did. Anyway, the length of the skewers as they come works fine. I tried out an assortment of different attachments, from DIY coat hanger "dough hooks" to milk frother coils and the only thing that worked well for me was the skewer.

STEP FOUR

Try and do this step outside or in a very well ventilated area to reduce fumes. Squeeze the desired amount of silicone into container and add bleach at the rate of one drop to each squeeze (or approx tablespoon) of silicone. You may also add a small amount of acrylic paint to color the material now too. This gives the added bonus of making it easier to see when the goo is mixed evenly (Pic 5). Now place Dremel and shield in place and mix slowly and thoroughly. You can see through the shield to judge when it is done - (easier if you have added the paint).

STEP FIVE

Now it's time to use the goo This step IS a little smelly, but I work on my covered stove top with the exhaust fan on full blast, so it is minimal. (For larger projects I use my makeshift cardboard fume box that fits atop my stove. Another Instructable perhaps).

Now this stuff is sticky! I know - duh! Therefore I dust my hands (or gloves) and my surface with cornflour before working. I remove only what I need from the container and replace the shield quickly. I then try and do as much with a plastic knife or other plastic implement as I can before I do the final moulding with my hands. The cornflour really helps to eliminate a lot of the stickiness and it also helps cure the mix more quickly. I can keep dipping into the container for more as necessary as it stays workable for a little while. If you want a less sticky and firmer goo to start with, add some cornflour into the mix. From my experience, the more cornflour, the firmer the product and quicker the set, however you also get less working time.

STEP SIX

Set aside everything to dry. Any remaining goo in the container and on the skewer will peel it off when dry. Clean up done! Wash any cornflour off your newly created item and ENJOY.

Last pic shows two moulds l made. On left is ipad stylus holder which I need to tidy up so it looks nicer and will attach to my ipad case with my next lot of goo. On the right are Barbie doll shoe heels. Tee hee.....sorry guys! Mould made from the heel of yellow shoes and I used hot glue to cast them. Tiny, tiny pieces, but great detail which will need minimal clean up with scissors before attaching to soles.