Ethan Clarke
Plastic sprues are the by-product of injection moulding, where molten plastic is forced through a mould. They are used to hold model parts in place. Many people throw them away, but there are ways to recycle them. For example, they can be cut into small pieces and melted down with acetone to make sheets, or sprue goo, which can be used as a gap filler, adhesive, or sculpting medium. They can also be heated and stretched to make radio antennas, wires, and cords. Some people use them to make fine details for models, such as barrels and masts for ships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dispose of plastic sprues | Throw in the trash bin, recycle, or melt down |
| Reuse plastic sprues | Use to make paint stirrers, antennas, wires, pipes, push bars, and other small parts for models |
| Create something new with plastic sprues | Cut into small pieces, melt with acetone or other solvents, and mould into a new shape; alternatively, use as gap fillers, adhesives, or sculpting mediums |
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What You'll Learn
Make sprue goo or sprueghetti
Plastic sprues are the by-products of injection moulding, where molten plastic is forced through a mould. Instead of throwing them away, you can recycle them by making sprue goo or sprueghetti.
To make sprue goo, you will need a bottle of plastic glue with a removable lid and some sprue bits. First, cut the sprues into very small pieces. You can use about 15 cm of infantry sprue for a half-used bottle of glue. It is better to start with a lower plastic-to-glue ratio and then add more sprue as needed. Leave the mixture to dissolve for at least 2-3 hours or overnight. The glue and plastic will separate, so remember to shake it well before use. You can use metal dental or clay tools to apply the sprue goo, which should have a slightly runny consistency but still be thick enough to be used as putty.
Sprue goo can be used to fill gaps or seams in plastic models. It creates a very strong bond as it dissolves the outer layer of plastic while hardening. You can also use it for sculpting and texturing special effects, making terrain, and customising miniature bases.
Sprueghetti is another use for leftover sprues. While I could not find a detailed description of what sprueghetti is or how to make it, it appears to involve melting sprue chunks in a bottle of glue. One source mentions that you can add more or less glue to the mixture to make it thicker or thinner.
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Melt down and recycle
Plastic sprues are a by-product of injection moulding, where molten plastic is forced through a mould. While it is possible to melt down and recycle them, it is not a straightforward process. The plastic in sprues has a low melting point and can be melted using a low-heat flame, such as a candle, lighter, or alcohol lamp. However, the plastic's properties change during its first use, which can make it difficult to work with. One option is to melt the sprues and recast them into plastic sheets or "plasticard", which can then be used for modelling. This can be done using a waffle press or sandwich toaster with flat surfaces and parchment paper. It is important to note that the energy used and fumes released during the melting process may outweigh any ecological benefits of recycling.
Another option is to melt the sprues and pull the plastic into long ropes or strings, which can be used for rigging or cables on scale models. This process requires constant movement of the plastic over the heat source to avoid concentrating the heat on a single point. The melted plastic cools down quickly, so it is important to lay it on a flat surface to avoid breakage.
Additionally, sprues can be cut into small pieces and dissolved using modelling cement or glue to create a custom "sprue goo" or putty. This putty can be used to fill gaps or seams in models and can be sculpted and textured for special effects. It is important to work with these chemicals in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling harmful fumes.
Before attempting to melt and recycle sprues, it is worth considering the ecological impact of the process and exploring other options for recycling, such as seeking out local recyclers that work with number 6 plastic or participating in specific programs that recycle sprues, like the one announced by Games Workshop for UK stores.
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Cut into small pieces for paint stirrers
Plastic sprues are the by-product of injection moulding, where molten plastic is forced through a mould. They are the "channels" that the liquefied plastic travels through to create the actual model parts.
If you have a collection of plastic sprues, you can cut them into small pieces and use them as paint stirrers. This is a great way to recycle your plastic sprues instead of throwing them in the trash.
To make paint stirrers, you can cut the sprues into small, evenly sized pieces. You can also melt the sprues with acetone to make them thinner and easier to work with. However, be careful when handling acetone as it is a strong solvent.
You can also use the small pieces of sprues for other purposes, such as making fine details like barrels and masts for scratch-built ships, or as push bars on vehicles. They can be melted and used for tiny welds in armour, or as "paintbrushes" for fine details.
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Use for sculpting and texturing
Plastic sprues can be used for sculpting and texturing in a variety of ways. Firstly, they can be cut into strips and used to create building girders, bricks, or stonework for a ruined city theme. Longer pieces of sprue can be heated and stretched to create radio antennas, wires, and cords. They can also be used to sculpt and texturize building sidings, facades, or ground lay on bases or around other structures. Sprues can also be ground into a fine plastic powder and mixed with a solvent to create a putty or "sprue goo" which can be used as a sculpting and texturing medium. This putty can be used to fill gaps, create tubing and hosing, and as a casting medium.
To create a more complex sculpting and texturing medium, some people melt sprues down in acetone and create sheets to build new models or miniatures. This process can also be used to create "sprue goo". Sprues can also be used to sculpt and texture special effects, such as using a hobby knife to sharpen the tips and add spikes to vehicles, flyers, and other war machines.
For those who enjoy repairing and kitbashing, sprues are an excellent medium for sculpting and texturing. Their soft and malleable nature makes them easy to cut, shape, and sculpt to repair cracked plastic on appliances, outdoor furniture, and toys. Additionally, kitbashing allows creators to build new models or miniatures from the parts of other kits, providing a unique sculpting and texturing experience.
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Create terrain and bases
Plastic sprues can be used in a variety of ways to create terrain and bases. Here are some ideas:
Sprue Goo
One popular method is to create "sprue goo" by melting down the plastic sprues with acetone or nail varnish. This can then be used to fill gaps or seams in your models or bases. You can also use it to create a base for mounds, hills, or trees. Sprue goo can be textured to look like rivets, or it can be used to sculpt and texturize building sidings, facades, or ground lay on bases or other structures. It can also be used as a gap filler for plastic models.
Terrain and Bases
The long, straight pieces of plastic sprues can be cut into strips to make ruined building girders, bricks, or stonework for terrain and bases. These can be glued together with plastic cement or super glue, with a thicker, more viscous glue giving more control over the adhesion process. Plastic sprues can also be used to create rubble, crystals, or exposed piping and girders for bases.
Miniature Conversion
Plastic sprues can be used to convert miniatures you already own. For example, you can use them to build up armour plates on vehicles, flyers, and other war machines, or add spikes to create a Mad Max-style effect.
Magnetizing
Leftover sprues can be used to magnetize doors, hatches, or other small extensions. They are easy to drill and add magnets to, providing a simple solution for magnetizing objects.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic sprues are the by-product of injection moulding, where molten plastic is forced through a mould. They are the "channels" that the liquefied plastic travels through to create the actual model parts.
You can recycle your plastic sprues by cutting them into small pieces and melting them down with acetone to make sheets, or "sprue goo", which can be used as a gap filler, adhesive, or sculpting medium for your models.
Cut your plastic sprues into very small pieces and place them in a glass jar with a low viscosity modelling glue, such as Tamiya thin cement. The modelling glue will dissolve the plastic sprue bits, creating a sticky and thick putty that can be used to fill gaps in your models.
You can use sprues to create fine details for your models, such as antennas, wires, barrels, masts, and paintbrushes for fine details. You can also use them to create terrain and buildings for your models, such as trees, refineries, and industrial buildings.
Some local recycling facilities may accept polystyrene plastic, which is the type of plastic commonly used in modelling kits. Games Workshop also has a program to recycle sprues and turn them into playground equipment, but this is currently limited to local stores in the UK.
