Making resin blanks

[AGardener]

I have experimented with casting blanks - see attached photo. These are simply blue tinted epoxy resin with slivers of rooikrans wood - what we braai with here. The resultant pen, not a great effort, reveals the tiny air bubbles in the blank (when you zoom in - luckily past the focus level of most people's eyes).

I haven't used a pressure pot - would this get rid of all the bubbles ? Can a normal pressure cooker pot be used with a compressor attachment ?

Thanks

 

[fortress]

Hi Andrew,
a pressure pot doesn’t eliminate the bubbles it compresses them to a microscopic size that cannot be seen with the naked eye. As for using anything else other than a dedicated resin pot, I wouldn’t IMHO.

 

[Lons]

Walter did an article for one of the magazines converting a pressure cooker a while ago and it was mentioned on here. Have done a quick search as I thought it might be in the tutorials but not. I don't have time to search posts this morning but you might find it if you try otherwise mayby drop Walter a message and he can probably tell you which issue mag it was featured in.

 

[Paul hd]

Personally I wouldn't risk bodging a pressure pot. This is the place I bought mine.
Resin Casting Pressure Tanks

 

[fortress]

I bought the 10ltr pot from the same place, and I must say, it’s an excellent piece of kit. Well worth the money.
I also bought a filter from Amazon.

 

[Penpal]

Common sense is pressure vessels can be killers,set them deep down in a receiving box as well.

Peter.

 

[Paul hd]

I also bought a filter from Amazon.

Hi John,
I'm interested to hear more about the filter.

 

[fortress]

Hi Paul, I hope you can see the image. If you have a female coupling on the compressor airline, you will have to fit a compatible male onto the filter. ( the filter screws onto the air intake on the pot)
I hope this all makes sense.

 

[wm460]

Very nicely looking pen Andrew.

 

[Paul hd]

Hi Paul, I hope you can see the image. If you have a female coupling on the compressor airline, you will have to fit a compatible male onto the filter. ( the filter screws onto the air intake on the pot)
I hope this all makes sense.

Thanks John,
That makes sense. I do drain the tank now and again but it would be a good addition to have the filter.

Cheers,
Paul.

 

[Bill Mooney]

A nice looking pen. Best of luck with your casting.

 

[Skil Phil]

Adendorffs sell a very reasonably priced paint pot setup.
I bought one and modified it by taking out the suction tube.
Works fine. There must be an Adendorffs in CT.
Phil

 

[Penpal]

By the way Phil I am really happy to nsee you chirping in again,kind regards Peter.

 

[wm460]

Adendorffs sell a very reasonably priced paint pot setup.
I bought one and modified it by taking out the suction tube.
Works fine. There must be an Adendorffs in CT.
Phil

Just had a look at their website, what I looked at, their price are comparable to Aust prices.

 

[Skil Phil]

Hi Peter,
Pop in now and again and comment when I can.
As mentioned elsewhere got somebody interested in Corporate gifts so may get back to making pens after a long layoff.
Keep well.
Cheers
Phil

 

[Curly]

Pressure cookers are designed to work with less than 10psi. Casting wood/resin mixes like yours are usually done at 40psi or more. Therefore converting a pressure cooker is a really bad idea and the reason most are using spray painting pots that have been modified. Your best bet is to look for a used one and convert it after thoroughly checking it out.

Pete

 

[geordie0928]

Nice work, I think I will have a go at it, someday!!!.