What size block moulds would you like to see for casting pen blanks?

[Bucks]

I am making a new set of master patterns for these block moulds that I'm planning on making & selling! but before I go any further, have I got the sizes right? Are the sizes listed below the best sizes or would you like to see any adjustments to the size? I was planning on all 150mm which may be a bit long on some blanks, but my theory was if you want a shorter blank just put a sacrificial piece of HDPE or MDF in to save resin (you can always make them shorter but not longer!)

Single pen blank mould: 5 blanks @ 20x20x150mm
Double pen blank: 3 blanks @ 20x43x150mm (allowing for 3mm kerf)
Block mould: 25x150x150mm (obviously you don't have to cast to the full 25mm thick)

Are there any additional size block moulds as well as these sizes you would like to see? I was thinking of 2 new sized moulds to cast 15x15mm single & double blanks for the slimline style pens! What do you think?

I may not have time to reply to all comments (as I'm so busy getting sorted & setting up this website, still planing on launching by the weekend or maybe over the weekend at the latest, with a few moulds available next week) but I will certainly be taking all comments on board as I want to make the moulds that 'you' want!

You'll also be glad to hear that we have managed to shave a couple of pounds off the previously mentioned prices! so the prices for our "Less-Resin" moulds are £20 for the condensation cure & £22 for Addition Cure and looking like £33 & £39 for the block moulds.

Hope this is all pretty well written out! as my proof reader (wife) is still in bed fast asleep lol

Regards Paul

 

[wm460]

You may want to think about bottle stopper size blanks, just a thought.

 

[Bucks]

You may want to think about bottle stopper size blanks, just a thought.

Thanks for the suggestion Mark, I can certainly look into bottle stopper moulds!

 

[silver]

You may want to think about matching shaving brush handle and razor blank mounds.

Brush handle blanks for me usually start off at 40x40x80 (allowing for 30mm knot) I have seen 50x50x80 but TBH in my opinion they are too big and feel it's wasted meterial.

Razor blanks in the same material as above at 20x20x150 (150 to standardise in mounds making, but 130 would do.)

Worth a thought tho.

 

[GSteer]

As a precurser... I don't cast at the moment, this is me thinking ahead to later this year (hopefully) where I'm looking into stabilising and casting.

My consideration would be for the block mould Block mould. These might be of concern to others to or I maybe jumping far too far ahead of my knowledge and talking nonsense, if so ignore me, give me a lolly and point me at the corner.

1) Is it intended to fit into a typical pressure pot? I realise there are a number and I haven't looked up internal dimensions yet.
2) 25x150x150 internal... if you were intending to actually make 25x25 blanks would this need to be wider to account for the material loss when cutting up? Say 2-4mm per blank so it would need to be 25x150x(160-170)?

 

[Bucks]

You may want to think about matching shaving brush handle and razor blank mounds.

Brush handle blanks for me usually start off at 40x40x80 (allowing for 30mm knot) I have seen 50x50x80 but TBH in my opinion they are too big and feel it's wasted meterial.

Razor blanks in the same material as above at 20x20x150 (150 to standardise in mounds making, but 130 would do.)

Worth a thought tho.

THANKS for the info Eamonn, it's really appreciated, I'll certainly look into your suggestions in a couple of weeks or so once organised with a good range of pen Moulds.

 

[Penpal]

WEll done with your research Paul wish you good fortune.

Peter.

 

[Bucks]

As a precurser... I don't cast at the moment, this is me thinking ahead to later this year (hopefully) where I'm looking into stabilising and casting.

My consideration would be for the block mould Block mould. These might be of concern to others to or I maybe jumping far too far ahead of my knowledge and talking nonsense, if so ignore me, give me a lolly and point me at the corner.

1) Is it intended to fit into a typical pressure pot? I realise there are a number and I haven't looked up internal dimensions yet.
2) 25x150x150 internal... if you were intending to actually make 25x25 blanks would this need to be wider to account for the material loss when cutting up? Say 2-4mm per blank so it would need to be 25x150x(160-170)?

Thanks for your thoughts Greg, Already taken on board

 

[Bucks]

WEll done with your research Paul wish you good fortune.

Peter.

THANKS Peter your support is really appreciated

 

[fortress]

I have just taken delivery of one of Pauls moulds, a resin saver for an Omega kit. Although I haven't used it yet, it does look and feel very well made, and I am sure it will do what it states on the tin, thanks Paul.

 

[Bucks]

I have just taken delivery of one of Pauls moulds, a resin saver for an Omega kit. Although I haven't used it yet, it does look and feel very well made, and I am sure it will do what it states on the tin, thanks Paul.

THANKS John, hope you'll get a lot of years use out of it!

 

[Bucks]

I've been very quiet on the forum for the last week as I've been very busy doing yet more research, research, research! Into a desktop cnc milling machine this time, so that we can have the name "Less-Resin" Mould etc embossed onto the side of our moulds! Got a few other ideas for it aswell as cnc carved acrylic blanks (similar to the psi with playing card symbols) etc

Now we can get back to making the patterns for these new moulds, just about finished making two new sets (we are making 2 patterns for every mould as we arn't even supposed to use the same mould for the two silicones due to cross contamination). With the pen blank/block moulds we decided to reduce the length down to the standard 135mm. We've also got some gear in for making these bottle stopper & shaving brush moulds but our plan at the moment is to concentrate on the Less-Resin Moulds for other pen kits.

Regards Paul