# Taking a cast of a human bone **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 1, 2018, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947 "2018-02-01T13:52:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/1 "2018-02-01T13:52:11Z")
IF someone without any particular skill at the project needed to take a cast of a human bone in a short time period, what kind of equipment / gear would you recommend? Asking for a friend. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/2 "2018-02-01T13:57:51Z")
Some of the posts in [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=815112) thread may be of use to you. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/3 "2018-02-01T14:01:36Z")
I’ve never done it myself, but I’ve seen the process where they build a cardboard box around the object and fill it with silicone. After the silicone cures the box is peeled away and slit is cut into the silicone to remove the original. The casting material is then poured in and allowed to harden. “silicone molding material” is available on Amazon. ---
**Author:** ![Plumpudding](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Plumpudding](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plumpudding)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2018, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/4 "2018-02-01T16:00:24Z")
What material is the final cast gonna be in? Different processes for different materials. ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/5 "2018-02-02T00:30:16Z")
Tooooooons of videos on Youtube for casting. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/6 "2018-02-02T00:37:41Z")
Step 1: slaughter your friend and consume their flesh and organs to gain their courage and knowledge. Step 2: Acquire bones to be cast from the skeletal remains. Step 3: what eveyone else above said. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/7 "2018-02-02T00:45:57Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Step 1: slaughter your friend and consume their flesh and organs to gain their courage and knowledge. > Step 2: Acquire bones to be cast from the skeletal remains. > Step 3: what eveyone else above said. Damn! Beaten by mere _minutes_! ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/8 "2018-02-02T04:43:53Z")
> [@snfaulkner](#): > > Step 1: slaughter your friend and consume their flesh and organs to gain their courage and knowledge. Whoa, whoa, whoa! You forgot “season to taste”. Dennis ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/9 "2018-02-02T08:49:31Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > Whoa, whoa, whoa! You forgot “season to taste”. > > Dennis It doesn’t need seasoning, you monster. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/10 "2018-02-02T11:47:35Z")
[Here you go](https://www.smooth-on.com/applications/basics-mold-making/). ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/11 "2018-02-02T13:27:24Z")
Thank you for the helpful answers. I’ll need to find something which can be done very quickly and very simply by someone who is not necessarily motivated to help. I’ll look through these. Thank you some more and again. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/12 "2018-02-02T13:55:26Z")
Note that if simpler and quicker are criteria, and it’s just one smaller bone, I’d go with an alginate lifecasting kit [like this](https://www.smooth-on.com/products/lifecasting-starter-kit/) rather than silicone. Cheaper, too. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/13 "2018-02-02T13:57:33Z")
> [@mixdenny](#): > > Whoa, whoa, whoa! You forgot “season to taste”.Dennis It doesn’t _require_ seasoning if you simply let it hang from the rafters for 4-6 weeks. Hey, at Peter Lugers, you pay extra for aged meat. :eek: > [@PatriotX](#): > > I’ll need to find something which can be done very quickly and very simply **by someone who is not necessarily motivated to help**. ( Bolding mine ) This may be one of the most chilling things I’ve read on the Straight Dope in years. Why are they not motivated? Why are they involved if they do not wish to be? How is the O.P. going to motivate them? Why does it have to be done quickly? Is The Man on to you? Sooooooooooo curious. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/14 "2018-02-02T14:06:45Z")
Also, which bone is it? The size and shape will constrain what techniques you can use. (In the “and here’s something else morbid” department, I have a human bone somewhere in the clutter of a desk drawer at home–a middle phalanx from an old mounted medical/scientific display skeleton. I’ve had it for more than 20 years.) ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/15 "2018-02-02T14:11:57Z")
I’m having a full right hip replacement in a week. Unsure how much bone that there will really be that’s intact, opposed to hacked away bits and chunks. Not sure what I’d DO with parts of me. But it’s interesting to ponder going home with the kind of leak-proof foil-lined bag normally used for Chinese spare ribs with my hip in it. :eek:😛 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/16 "2018-02-02T14:14:15Z")
With CAT and similar technologies, it’s possible today to construct a mathematical model of the bone in question, then use computerized machining to hog out a mold, or to 3D print a plastic model from which a cast can be taken. You don’t have to slaughter and dismember your friend at all. Unless you really want to, of course. The point is that you have the choice. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2018, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/17 "2018-02-02T14:42:45Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > I’m having a full right hip replacement in a week. Unsure how much bone that there will really be that’s intact, opposed to hacked away bits and chunks. > > Not sure what I’d DO with parts of me. But it’s interesting to ponder going home with the kind of leak-proof foil-lined bag normally used for Chinese spare ribs with my hip in it. I’ve always considered that if I ever need a limb amputated, I’ll try to talk the surgeons into freezing it for me to eat later. (Yes, I’m curious about how people tastes. Aren’t you?) ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/18 "2018-02-03T11:58:39Z")
Well, you know what they say- you are what you eat. :eek: No, I’ve never been that curious about what human flesh tastes like. \*\*CalMeacham \*\*, that’s the logical current option. I’ve never gotten around to seeing any of those Human Body exhibits where you can see large parts of the body or entire bodies preserved in plastic resin. The photos fascinate me. Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2018, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/19 "2018-02-03T14:33:59Z")
> [@Cartooniverse](#): > > Why are they not motivated? Why are they involved if they do not wish to be? How is the O.P. going to motivate them? Why does it have to be done quickly? Is The Man on to you? > [@Cartooniverse](#): > > I’m having a full right hip replacement in a week. Unsure how much bone that there will really be that’s intact, opposed to hacked away bits and chunks. > > Not sure what I’d DO with parts of me. But it’s interesting to ponder going home with the kind of leak-proof foil-lined bag normally used for Chinese spare ribs with my hip in it. > > :eek:😛 This is exactly the case. I am having a total hip replacement for my right hip. I want the femur head to use as a cane head. That’s some character for a cane there. When I met with the surgical team to discuss taking the bone home, they all were sure that I couldn’t do that. Though none of them were exactly sure why not. So I asked if we could make a cast of the bone. The surgeon said “we can do that. I’m sure Jen would be able to take care of that.” Jen let out a very small sigh of exasperation. So Jen seems unmotivated. I’m not done reading through all of the current suggestions. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2018, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947/20 "2018-02-04T04:39:46Z")
Why not buy a copy? [https://www.anatomywarehouse.com/orthobones-femur-a-104375?gdffi=2a24628df7804e7290c4c8aa618951c1&gdfms=6A93E2FE843E4C5BA525F843BF4E6BC5&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2NXTBRDoARIsAJRIvLxzp\_EUgzuOKZyTHRdeAE9T94i6t7gBK12SfNKe51v5FJOzfq2Le3kaAtBlEALw\_wcB](https://www.anatomywarehouse.com/orthobones-femur-a-104375?gdffi=2a24628df7804e7290c4c8aa618951c1&gdfms=6A93E2FE843E4C5BA525F843BF4E6BC5&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2NXTBRDoARIsAJRIvLxzp_EUgzuOKZyTHRdeAE9T94i6t7gBK12SfNKe51v5FJOzfq2Le3kaAtBlEALw_wcB) GaryM [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/taking-a-cast-of-a-human-bone/807947.md?page=2)