My first Stamp Pen

[paulm]

I cast my first two stamp pens yesterday and have learned a lot about casting in a very short time. One of the pens was coated in an acrylic lacquer before casting and the other was left uncoated. Having been caught short on my first casting a week or so ago when it started to go off in a very short time I was wary and had everything on hand for this one. I used Alumilite, the same that Alan used in his money pen yesterday which is another first and set about the task. I weighed out one part of the resin and started to pour the second part directly on top of it. Half way through pouring the scales gave up showing 'LO' for low battery..... AHHHHHHH! So I guessed how much to add. Quickly I mixed up the 2 parts, poured it into the mould and put it in the pressure pot and wacked in 4bar of pressure (the equivilent of diving to 120'). I had a bit left over and thought I'd leave it to judge when it was set but got carried away and mixed a load of shavings into it, but thats for another day.
I left it over night and when I took it out this morning it was still a bit tacky but came out of the mould easily. I stood it on the side for a while and after an hour had started to slump, it was still very fluid. I put it back in the mould and on the aga for the rest of the day despite knowing they were both now knackered and took them up to the shed to turn just to see what was inside for interests sake.
To my suprise the first one turned out perfect, this is the one that I'd coated, it was a little darker in colour but no bubbles and looked good. The second one that hadn't been treated was a lot lighter but for some reason the stamps at the ends had been dissolved.
So my lessons learned. Coat the stamps first, ensure the pot stays warm overnight and don't take out of the mould if its still tacky.
The world is now my lobster.

 

[PhillH]

And what very nice lobster it will be mate !

I think they're great, reminds of when I was a kid collecting stamps. In fact I may still have mine in the loft

 

[Jim]

Over another hurdle Paul, i am sure it will be a simple routine before you know it ..

Great looking pen my friend ..

 

[Doug]

Certainly unusual Paul, I imagine they would sell particularly to philatelists

 

[Jimjam66]

Well done mate! They look the biz to me!

 

[GeordieB]

Thats cool Paul I really like it

 

[Alanp]

very nice paul i did a casting where i weighed the 2 parts and mine was still tacky after 24hours the money pen was measured by volume i simply poured out the 2 components into two clear mixing pots so they were the same level.

This produced a much better end result crystal clear rock hard and not tacky.

got to do another now with my wifes goat herd name in the casting

 

[ni9eofse7en]

Nice to see and read your comments, this was something I asked about in an earlier thread, so getting first hand info will help along with that learnt before..

 

[chas_41_uk]

Well done Paul

 

[paulm]

Certainly unusual Paul, I imagine they would sell particularly to philatelists

or stamp collectors Doug... ok I'll get my coat

 

[donwatson]

Very well done Paul. May have to try that

 

[Penpal]

Frankly Paul in the interests of gratitude both you and Alan have helped Stamp out some of the least Appealing aspects of Encapsulating these interesting Inclusions I will Stick with what I know learning how to Coat will have to wait until the winter that is preparing right now.As an avid stamp collector in my youth I now have a use for them, My Dad in his youth worked for the Post office and when new stamps came out in the 20,s he used to buy books and flats over the years they became extremely valuable.

Thanks for showing and telling I like them mate.

Peter.

 

[billyb_imp]

Looks good Paul, slooks like their will be no stopping you now

 

[bassethound]

Smashing job Paul, looks like you are on your way now, it looks great!

 

[brody2123]

Spectacular work mate. They look the dogs!! :bravo:

 

[wm460]

Well done Paul, looks great from here.

 

[Kardav]

Glad it came good in the end Paul, something else to aspire to. Nice pen mate.

 

[Les ELm]

Looks well done for your first go at it.

Les

 

[paulm]

Looks well done for your first go at it.

Les

Thanks for all the comments but I did have a lot of info on it from George who is a gentleman.

 

[Bill Mooney]

Great pen Paul, you've certainly put your stamp on it.