Resin shrinkage!

[wm460]

I had a couple of goes at turning Resin and Timber Offcuts Bowls like Peter posted in his thread,

http://www.penturners.co.uk/off-topic-forum/17365-how-many-you-have-bought.html

For some reason the resin shrunk away from the timber, why did it do this?
How can I stop this happening?

The first two photos are eucalyptus and last photo is mulga, the timber has been dead 10 years or so.









This is the resin I used.

Clear Casting Resin - 4kg [C200036-M] - $68.05 : Adelaide Moulding & Casting Supplies

 

[edlea]

Don't know Mark .

 

[scouseroy]

Shrinkage can increase if higher percentages of catalyst are used? also if any moisture at all in the wood resin can heat when curing causing the wood to expand slightle and as it cools it shrinks back try heating the wood slightly so its warm when you cast?

 

[Penpal]

So many possibilities Mark.

Peter.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Wouldn't have a clue Mark but what a shame

 

[Gizmo3k]

If it doesn't explode, fill it with CA and metal powders!

 

[Themackay]

Email Brendan Stemp

 

[edlea]

Email Brendan Stemp

Though for a minute I was reading the three word story post

 

[Buckeye]

Roy has said too much MEKP will not help and also any moisture in the wood. I always leave any wood destined for use with resin of any kind in the airing cupboard until it is dry and on the day of casting I put it in the oven on the lowest setting with the door just open and cook it for at least half an hour and the heat in the wood seems to draw the resin into any pores or fissures in the wood as it cools. I haven't had shrinkage like that, but it doesn't mean I won't in the future. I never use more than 1% MEKP and often around .75% especially if the wood is quite hot.

Peter

 

[Penpal]

I thought your open pored wood would soak it up mate I like the heat before Idea.

Peter.