HELP on resin choice!

[PSutherland]

Hi All,
I'm very new to pen turning and I appreciate this question has probably been asked before and out of 100 people there will more than likely be as many answers, but here goes...
What makes for a good (clear) casting resin/ epoxy for a complete beginner, and what dyes would you recommend for coloured resins?
Cheers folks.

 

[fortress]

I use resin4art Epoxy Paul, it does what I want, it is very clear and easy to work with. You do need a pressure pot with this. I also use Mica powders with it too.

 

[Frederick]

hello Paul

This question is right up my street. As you know there are many resins and many ways to mix and prepare them.

I have used most of the common ones; Aluminite slow and fast, Clear cast and others.
The easiest is the Glass cast which uses a stated mix ratio of 100:45 which is the same as 20:9. Two types available, Glass Cast 10 and Glass Cast 50. The 10 has a maximum cast thickness of 5mm which is just suitable for casting around some pen tubes in a normal 19mm mold and the 50 for thicker castings. No need for a pressure or vacuum chamber. Just keep an eye on the temperature. Full curing time is approx 5 days but can be turned earlier but leave the polishing until fully cured.

I bought mine from Stiles and Bates Stiles and Bates

As to colouring, Aluminite dyes work well and may be purchased from House of Resin and other places. Mica powders look great.
The only problem IMHO is that you can't make a mix below 20 degrees Centigrade. Very sensitive to temperature, water and dampness.

Hope this has been of some use. If I can be of any further help just PM me, I may have some of the answers.


Cheers
Frederick

 

[PSutherland]

Thanks Frederick and John,
I appreciate you both taking the time to respond, I'll give the Glass Cast resins a lookup when I return home, one question - do you need a pressure pot?
I don't currently have a pressure pot, but do have a well stocked workshop with decent compressor - so a PP may be on the cards in due course (at which point I'll give the resin4art a go).
Cheers folks
Paul

 

[Phil Dart]

There is also Alumilite Water Clear. I'm not a caster, but those who are tell me there's a world of difference between water clear, clear cast and glass cast, so definitely worth having a word with the respective distributors of these products I would think.

 

[Bucks]

Alumilite Amazing Clear Cast is another very popular epoxy resin