Thread: Taking The Next Step (Casting)

Looks like a nice selection of stuff for starters ,is it clear casting epoxy or standard, the epoxy casting stuff is a bit dearer but works well, especially on worthless wood and such. Keep a book handy to write what steps you go through ,just in case you make a masterpiece and then forget the recipe lol. Casting does take a little disipline and some care , but like a lot of what we do the results are usually proportional to the input effort Mind you to watch Neil at work with some of this stuff you would think that organisation , and measurements and such were non existant , a splash here a dash there a stir or two with a convenient twig off the floor and bugger me another masterpiece emerges from the mold in due course . Basically work out what you want to do first ,clear embedding or just colored blanks , that will determine what sort of molds you will need ,solid or resin savers etc. I am sure that this is such a big subject that info overload may occur ,but it's all good hehe, cheers ~ John

John,

I bought the Resin from the guy that you suggested and advised him what I wanted it for, so I am guessing it is the right stuff?? He did say that this is the stuff he supplies to a couple of other guys for the same purpose?? The Resin bottle does say clear on it but does not say casting Resin I hope its the right stuff

Cheers
Tony.

Should be OK Neil (dai sensei) might have a better responce though as he has used most of the casting products,
Have a look here for future reference , this pack seems good value ,I got one and I don't think the postage was a killer ,will last a long time though Like most aspects of this addiction ,you have to be in it for the long haul hehe just too much to learn and try ,

He has sold you the Epoxy resin, certainly more expensive than the cheaper clear casting resin (ie poly), that more of us use. The Epoxy sticks a lot better, and doesn't shrink as much, but you must be careful not to cast too much at once as it can boil. Keep the thickness to 20mm absolute maximum casting. He has also sold you what looks like Epoxy, not clear casting Epoxy, so you cannot use it for clear casts, althougn you say it is "clear" so maybe it's Ok.

I'd ring him to make sure.

Good luck with it.

Thanks Guys,

So if I use the solid colour pigments or the translucent pigments with it, it should be ok?? and I just stay clear of any clear castings using this Epoxy Resin.
I will only be casting for some pen blanks at this stage unless I get really hooked will need to source the correct casting Resin for the next lot though. Will my pigments still work with the other casting resin?
Sorry for all the questions guys!! and thanks for your help. So much to learn

Cheers
Tony.

Originally Posted by AuS MaDDoG

So if I use the solid colour pigments .....with it, it should be ok??

Yes

Originally Posted by AuS MaDDoG

So if I use ...the translucent pigments with it, it should be ok??

Only if it is truely the clear epoxy, otherwise it may turn out milky

Originally Posted by AuS MaDDoG

So if ...I just stay clear of any clear castings using this Epoxy Resin..

If it is a clear epoxy, it will be Ok, so either ask the seller or open the bottle and mix a bit. If it isn't the clear one, it will have a yellowish tinge to it, and be slightly opache.

Originally Posted by AuS MaDDoG

...Will my pigments still work with the other casting resin?

Not sure, a lot of pigments/dyes only work with the intended product (ie epoxy tint with epoxy, PR tint with PR etc), only the Pearlex type ones mix with all. Try a tiny bit, and you will quickly fint out, they just don't mix

Originally Posted by AuS MaDDoG

..So much to learn...

Yep, but we are here to help

Tony .I have used those colors with diggers clear cast and with the other clear poly casting , no problems at all, just be aware it is very strong and a tiny bit goes a long way ,half a match head to 50 mils of mixture is all it takes, and the translucent needs even less or it can appear as a solid color ,less is better hehe, Cheers John

Thanks again guys, Time poor at the moment with work and also painting a couple of rooms at home too.
Be great once the painting is out of the way I might get some more time to play in the shed

Cheers
Tony.

Hey All,

Well I have bought some PR and Pearlex from Barnes ! I also have my resin saver moulds mixing cups, popsicle sticks, droppers and ready to give this a crack !!
Can any of the casters out there advice me as to what the mix ratio is or how many drops per ? I should be using for the PR
I think I may have found the answer but just need confirmation 4 drops /Oz ??

Cheers
Tony.

Hi Tony, most times I think its about 2% of catalyst , so 2 mils per hundred of PR. I think I use about 5 drops to 20 mill for small mixes ,too much and you will make a brittle but quick setting pour, too little will just take longer to gell and go hard. Gently stir in the catalyst to avoid creating too many bubbles, you can also warm your PR in hot water to make it run better and allow any bubbles to surface before the mix gells. Keep water away from your PR though they dont work too good together. Just get your mixing container and sit it carefully in another bigger container with some hot water from the tap, It all falls into place very quickly with the basics ,After you have filled your molds ,sit it on any thing that vibrates ,even a bandsaw table is good if its level only takes a few minutes to help the bubbles rise. Hope that helps a bit ,there are a few variables ,but that should get you up and running ,if doing colors mix before adding catalist . Cheers ~ John

Thanks John,

I think I worked it out, Google is so helpful I have cast a couple of Sierra blanks just as an experiment to try things out and to get a feel for it.
Nothing to hard really just need a little bit of practice getting it all setup and doing it in the correct manner.

I had my little 30ml mixing cups
My pigments / Pearl-ex
Electronic scales
My Resin
My Hardener
Measure Dropper
Popsicle sticks
Tooth picks
Cup of hot water
and my Resin Saver mould along with a couple of clean up cloths at the ready !!
So all I got to do now is sit back and wait to see how these first ones come out

I hope they are not too transparent as I never painted the tubes. Lesson learned there I think.

Guess I'll be picking yours and Neils Brains next for info on a pressure pot for the WW casting

Cheers
Tony.

Tony you will be fine hehe, I don't use colors much, usually only as fillers in bottle brush or such . Super cheap at Nerang had pressure pots and spray gun outfits for $99 dollars earlier in the week,you might check locally Cheers ~ John

Thanks John,

I have surprised myself, just de-moulded and they look good so far
Epoxy Resin used with Pearl-ex Duo Blue/Red.

Cheers
Tony

John and Neil I would just like to know which you prefer either ther epoxy or the casting resin ? and what you find the difference to be ? I have been casting on and off for some time time with mixed success and saw that the expoy has also been recomended as a prefered weapon of choice and I have been curious to see if either has an advantage over the other. I have been using Barnes casting resin but always keen to hear what others have to say.

Cheers Ian