Getting into casting

[alpha1]

I suppose it was inevitable my Daughter in law makes rings and jewellery and all sorts of other stuff using resins and colour additives as a side line whilst holding down a full time job. I bought a mould from Pen Blanks and Moulds and asked her to have a go at casting a pen blank.
Looks like we may have the makings of a family business I can not believe how good they are.
I went up to there place to day to have a look and spent some quality time playing Chess with my son with one of the Chess sets they have cast. Amazing. I checked out her Facebook page the rings are selling for a minimum of £80.00 but having said that they are aimed at a specific market and are in demand. She did a pair of gold earrings for the Wife my Wife was speechless when she saw them.
We are currently checking out different resins and colouring additives I am excited as to were this might go.

 

[TVS]

Sounds like good times ahead m8 have fun

 

[Penpal]

Thanks for sharing ,congratulations family.

 

[flexi]

Good luck to you and your daughter in law, check out Mr Resin.... He's a pen turner who went down that rabbit hole!!

 

[Neil]

I am starting to tread that slippery slope, any recommends for a good pot, and any advice on the size?

 

[alpha1]

Its only early days for me I don't even know what resin/epoxy I should be buying.

 

[geordie0928]

I would like to give that ago but just haven't a clue as to what is the best to use. So all the best, have fun.

 

[Bammer]

Its only early days for me I don't even know what resin/epoxy I should be buying.

It depends on what sort of thing you want to cast

Glass cast 10 is my preferred for embedded objects and labels etc

Alumilte Clear or Slow for casting blanks which is a Polyurethane.

Polyester is the cheapest, doesn't require a pressure pot but stinks to high heaven and can be quite brittle to turn.

Epoxy and Alumilte require a pressure pot to get the best results and this requires a compressor. Plus molds, mixing cups, stirrers and mica / dyes if you want coloured blanks.

Be wary of Alumilte Amazing clear cast, it's epoxy and not that great, softens with heat like when you sand it

 

[alpha1]

Thank you.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Best of luck Dave.

 

[alpha1]

My Son and Annette have cast two blanks when cut up they will yield four 150x20x20 pen blanks. Just need to pick them up and see how they turned out and hopefully turn them into a couple of pens. I am going to the Harrogate show to morrow whilst I am there I will be visiting the House of resin stand and asking questions and probably buying some goodies.

 

[alpha1]

Further down the rabbit hole we go.
I have ordered a pressure pot.

 

[akirk]

My Son and Annette have cast two blanks when cut up they will yield four 150x20x20 pen blanks. Just need to pick them up and see how they turned out and hopefully turn them into a couple of pens. I am going to the Harrogate show to morrow whilst I am there I will be visiting the House of resin stand and asking questions and probably buying some goodies.

Any photos of the blanks, sounds like a lot of fun…

 

[Phil Dart]

Any photos of the blanks, sounds like a lot of fun…

Yep......and of the pressure pot?

 

[alpha1]

These are the pen blanks after casting and cutting to make four blanks.

 

[alpha1]

Not very god pictures sorry I don't do pictures.
They were cast using Alumilite clear cast.
The mould is one of Paul Buckleys at Pen Blanks and moulds.

 

[Phil Dart]

They look great. Are you pleased?

 

[alpha1]

I am over the moon.

 

[alpha1]

This is my first pen turned using a blank cast by my Son and Annette. I have since purchased a pressure pot and some more moulds from Pen blanks and Moulds. Paul who is the owner of Pen Blank and Moulds lives about 20 minutes from me. The last lot of moulds I ordered his wife delivered them to my home the following day.

 

[Penpal]

I call that a resounding success mate keep going,beaut pen.