Casting Pictures

[Frederick]

Hi all

I am slowly losing the will to live now. I am trying to make a pen blank using a picture wrapped about the brass tube and then cast in Aluminite clear (Slow). I have now used two sets of chemicals as the results I am achieving are none too good, in fact they are awful. I mix correctly with the chemical ratios within 0-1g. I ensure there are no white streaks and the sides of the mixing cup are clean and scraped.

I have used gloss photo paper with spray glue and that just shrinks the paper. I have used matt photo paper and that just disintergrates and causes white patches in the plastice. I have tried covering photos with thin CA which does improve things a little but, not good enough. I have used sticky back mailing labels but go see through.

I would like to know how others do this, what paper do I use; what glue/adhesive is best. Would polyester be a better choice. There are not many youtube videos around and I have watched them all but none really answer the questions.

If anyone has any ideas I would love to know.

Cheers
Frederick

 

[Barry]

I allways clear lacquer the photo works for me

 

[Frederick]

I allways clear lacquer the photo works for me

Hello Barry

Thanks for the reply. Could you tell me what laquer you use and what casting resin? Thanks again.

Cheers
Frederick

 

[Phil Dart]

I think some of the problem may be your choice of paper. I'm not a caster, but I understand there is paper and there is paper when it comes to casting. Someone may pop along in a while with a bit of paper knowledge. Your problem is probably not your choice of resin though I think.

 

[Bammer]

Frederick ... it's down to the labels I think, but I don't know which ones. I rarely use pictures in my pens and If I ever need one it's easier for me to get someone else to do it.

Don't use polyester though, it heats up when curing and knackers the print. Epoxy is the one to use.

Sorry can't be of much more help

 

[Barry]

Cant remember what resin I used the lacquer was from aldi

 

[martin.pearson]

I have read that some people colour the brass tubes, white ould be best if your using photo images

Havent done any pen blank casting myself yet but I can tell you as a signmaker that there are a lot of choices when it comes down to paper & you need to be using the right type of ink as well.

 

[Penpal]

Recently the successful pictures of competent labelled blanks prove that some members of this forum have the problems well in hand.

Peter.

 

[Bucks]

I use these labels for all my label cast blanks Frederick, I’ve only used them with Epoxy resin so far, you don’t have to paint tubes or seal the paper, don’t know about using them with other resins though.

 

[wm460]

I recently ask the same questions, and was recommended Avery mailing labels.

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