• Thanks for visiting The Penturners Forum today.

    There are many features and resources that currently you are unable to see or access, either because you're not yet registered, or if you're already registered, because you're not logged in.

    To gain full access to the forum, please log in or register now. Registration is completely free, it only takes a few seconds, and you can join our well established community of like-minded pen makers.

Failure

paulm

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
The CMM filled a mould up with buttons and instructed me to cast them in resin and turn pens from the results. Unfortunately I couldn't get all the air out that gets trapped within. I was going to put it in the vacuum chamber but the mould was just a tad too small so had to hop in the pressure pot but no luck. I tried turning one and buttons were zinging around the workshop. I can feel a bigger vacuum chamber coming on :thumbs:

The other is a design I've been working on for a while and am having problems with it clouding over. I've now cast 4 of these at different times and haven't got a single good one yet. I thought it was moisture so have had this one over the Aga for 3 days, put the sealer on and Aga for another 3 days then into a box with silica gel for a day and the humidity went down from 40% to 20% so it should be as dry as a bone. I'm not ready to give up just yet as this is for a divers charity and if I can crack it I can knock out a lot of them.
 

Attachments

  • buttons.jpg
    buttons.jpg
    144.6 KB · Views: 67
  • diverpractice.jpg
    diverpractice.jpg
    48.6 KB · Views: 67
Penpal

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,342
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Interesting stories on the way Paul I talked to my mates following your scans of when you were in the Gilbert and Ellice Island area so long ago one was in Tuvaloo and the other in Kirrabus.

Peter.:thumbs::thumbs:
 
Jim

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
No failures Paul, just practice my friend .. :ciggrin: Regarding the cloudy effect, have you tried just leaving it to set without using the pressure pot?
 
Indie Shed

Indie Shed

Registered
Joined
Feb 24, 2015
Posts
447
Location
Leeds
First Name
Jimi
I'm with Jim, keep experimenting. On the bright side the pound notes are working out well, buttons, well they cost buttons. :thumbs:
 
Grump

Grump

Grand Master
Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Posts
10,510
Location
Stevenage
First Name
Brian
The currency notes are a different paper and may be less absorbent, just my thoughts.
I would try putting the artwork on a decal and painting the tube white then casting it.
As for the bloody buttons!!! MAKE EM GO AWAY DAD!!!!!
 
Grump

Grump

Grand Master
Joined
Aug 17, 2013
Posts
10,510
Location
Stevenage
First Name
Brian
wHY AM i EVEN THINKING THIS??
The buttons need standing on edge and a deeper cast.
 
silver

silver

General dogsbody
Executive Member
Joined
Jun 29, 2013
Posts
6,304
Location
Somewhere in Staffordshire,
First Name
Eamonn.
Buttons is a good idea, especially if Grump don't like it init.....

As for sealer, have you tried Coats of CA on them and polish to a shine then resin cast them? I have seen it done that way before.

Also seen the tubes painted white, cast in a resin, turned down to 50% of finished size then fit the transfers and then cast again to enable them to be turned down to the right size. Quite good effect.
 
paulm

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
Jim said:
No failures Paul, just practice my friend .. :ciggrin: Regarding the cloudy effect, have you tried just leaving it to set without using the pressure pot?
Click to expand...

I haven't Jim but thats a good thought and well worth a try... Thanks :thumbs:
 
paulm

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
Grump said:
The currency notes are a different paper and may be less absorbent, just my thoughts.
I would try putting the artwork on a decal and painting the tube white then casting it.
As for the bloody buttons!!! MAKE EM GO AWAY DAD!!!!!
Click to expand...

Thats what it is Brian, a white tube with clear decal. I just knew you'd like the buttons :thumbs:
 
paulm

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
silver said:
Buttons is a good idea, especially if Grump don't like it init.....

As for sealer, have you tried Coats of CA on them and polish to a shine then resin cast them? I have seen it done that way before.

Also seen the tubes painted white, cast in a resin, turned down to 50% of finished size then fit the transfers and then cast again to enable them to be turned down to the right size. Quite good effect.
Click to expand...

Now thats a good thought Eamonn, thanks :thumbs:
 
A

AndyC65

Full Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2015
Posts
126
Location
Doncaster, Yorkshire
First Name
Andy
If the divers logo is paper, then try liberally applying/soaking it in PVA glue, rub it well in to ensure no streaks, then let it dry before casting.

This is a tip I've used when making resin paperweights.

Good luck,

Andy C
 
paulm

paulm

grave manibus faciendum
Registered
Joined
Oct 7, 2013
Posts
12,046
Location
Sandford
First Name
Paul
AndyC65 said:
If the divers logo is paper, then try liberally applying/soaking it in PVA glue, rub it well in to ensure no streaks, then let it dry before casting.

This is a tip I've used when making resin paperweights.

Good luck,

Andy C
Click to expand...

Its a water slide decal Andy. I use this because you can't see any edges when its cast. I put the decal on and when its dry cover it in an acrylic sealer... maybe I should try something else like ca to seal it.
 
Warning! This thread has not had any replies for over a year. You are welcome to post a reply here, but it might be better to start a new thread (and maybe include a link to this one if you need to).
Top