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My First Attempt at Casting

Vic Perrin

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Well I feel I have got a hell of a lot to learn in this here casting game. I used Alumilite Clear Resin and Resin Saver Moulds.

I decided to use Sierra Kits and for the First 2 I just wrapped the tubes in postage stamps sealed them with Mod Podge and stuck em in the mould.

After pouring I let the majority of the bubbles settle out and then put the mould in the pressure pot at 45psi and left them overnight.

Opened up the next morning and horror they were full of bubbles and resin had been blown past the tube plugs and filled the blanks.

Tubes to be salvaged for another day !!!

Not to be beat I had painted a couple of tubes and it was my intent to stick watch parts to them and then cast.

Disaster trying to stick the the parts to the pen the super glue ruined the paint on the tubes and they looked shite !

Not to be beat I covered the tubes with a fine layer of polymer clay and pushed the watch parts into the clay and baked in the oven for 30 mins to harden the clay.

Cast the pens in the mould saver and just popped the occasional air bubble and let it dry naturally.

When I popped em out of the mould they at least looked like blanks this time.

Popped em on the lathe and turned them down as much as I dared so not as to cut through the resin.

The finished blanks are are bit to bulbous for the Sierra but I think that was due to the Polymer Clay.

I need to find a better way of gluing the watch bits to the tube so as not to use clay.

Anyhow enough waffle here you go MY VERY FIRST CAST :sob::sob::sob::sob:
 

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Grump

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And how many decent wooden pens could you have made while poncing about like a tart?
 

billyb_imp

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The pen itself looks ok :thumbs::thumbs:

However sound like a bit of an horror story with the casting but I'm sure it will all come good for you in the end vic :thinks:

Your perseverance will pay off :thinks::thinks:
 

Woody

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Well that looks about as good as my first baking of polymer clay LOL God loves a trier Vic :funny::funny::funny::funny:
 

Baldy

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Looking good.
Glad I cannot afford casting gear just now will give me a chance to learn from those who do..
 

chas_41_uk

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Looks OK for your first attempt Vic :thumbs:
I'm sure the more experienced casters on here will advise you as to where and why things aren't going perfect:wink:
 

rayf6604

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I don't think it looks too bulbous. I would leave the tube as it is for gluing the watch parts as the mix of brass and silver think would look good, but that's just me and the ones I've seen done. Where do you get watch parts from and do you have to mould them to the roundness of the tube? :thinks:
 

brody2123

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Now then Vic, this is a really good first ever go at casting. A watch parts pen for any caster i would imagine aint easy, but you've made a bloody good job of it:thumbs:
 

Matt

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Good first try Vic :thumbs: I would love to have a go at casting some day so I'll watch your progress with interest :ciggrin:
 

Buckeye

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All my watch part pens are cast using PR and without pressure. From what I have read about casting with resin saver moulds the pressure shouldn't be more than 20 psi. If you try the PR you should be able too use pressure if you wish, but keep it lower than 20psi with the RSMs. Did you bend the watch parts to fit around the tube?

Peter
 

Vic Perrin

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Executive Member
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Feb 23, 2014
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All my watch part pens are cast using PR and without pressure. From what I have read about casting with resin saver moulds the pressure shouldn't be more than 20 psi. If you try the PR you should be able too use pressure if you wish, but keep it lower than 20psi with the RSMs. Did you bend the watch parts to fit around the tube?

Peter

I bent some of the lager ones i bent Peter

:thumbs:Vic:thumbs:
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Posts
2,253
Location
Mirfield
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Dan
Well I feel I have got a hell of a lot to learn in this here casting game. I used Alumilite Clear Resin and Resin Saver Moulds.

I decided to use Sierra Kits and for the First 2 I just wrapped the tubes in postage stamps sealed them with Mod Podge and stuck em in the mould.

After pouring I let the majority of the bubbles settle out and then put the mould in the pressure pot at 45psi and left them overnight.

Opened up the next morning and horror they were full of bubbles and resin had been blown past the tube plugs and filled the blanks.

Tubes to be salvaged for another day !!!

Not to be beat I had painted a couple of tubes and it was my intent to stick watch parts to them and then cast.

Disaster trying to stick the the parts to the pen the super glue ruined the paint on the tubes and they looked shite !

Not to be beat I covered the tubes with a fine layer of polymer clay and pushed the watch parts into the clay and baked in the oven for 30 mins to harden the clay.

Cast the pens in the mould saver and just popped the occasional air bubble and let it dry naturally.

When I popped em out of the mould they at least looked like blanks this time.

Popped em on the lathe and turned them down as much as I dared so not as to cut through the resin.

The finished blanks are are bit to bulbous for the Sierra but I think that was due to the Polymer Clay.

I need to find a better way of gluing the watch bits to the tube so as not to use clay.

Anyhow enough waffle here you go MY VERY FIRST CAST :sob::sob::sob::sob:
What type of resin saver to you have vic?
 

Jim

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Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
Don't give up Vic, it will all be worth it when they do start looking the Dogs Bollox my friend .. :thumbs:
 
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