More fun with Resin

[brendan stemp]

Here's some more bowls I have made using resin and anything else I could find.

First one is redgum with gumnuts cast in epoxy resin.

Second is a collection of offcuts (from cutting up old redgum white posts) cast in resin and turned.

I'm enjoying the experimenting with the various things that can be doen with resin. It opens up a whole new world in woodturning.

[shortcast]

:2tsup: Outstanding!

Are you casting a solid chunk and hollowing out the center, or do you have a way to mold the resin in a general bowl shape then trueing up on the lathe?

[artme]

I really like the results of your experiments Brendan!!:2tsup::2tsup::2tsup:

both bowls are well shaped, the second in particular!:):):)

[hughie]

Brendan, It certainly does open up all sorts of possibities. :2tsup: What sort of resin are you using?

[brendan stemp]

epoxy casting resin

[WOODbTURNER]

Love them Brendan. Must do myself

[bellyup]

Wow Brendan, fantastic - loving number 2, the rim looks totally right.
Bruce.

[brendan stemp]

:2tsup: Outstanding!

Are you casting a solid chunk and hollowing out the center, or do you have a way to mold the resin in a general bowl shape then trueing up on the lathe?

Yes to the second option. A definite no to the first option. Epoxy resin is too expensive to waste so I use all sorts of means to fill the voids. Eg a plug of wood.

[NeilS]

.....:2tsup:
.

[_fly_]

Yes to the second option. A definite no to the first option. Epoxy resin is too expensive to waste so I use all sorts of means to fill the voids. Eg a plug of wood.

Which make of resin are you using and where are you getting it from?
I've got to give this a try.
Does the epoxy yellow with age? or are you pieces to new to find out?.
I've got a lot of marbles I'd like to put inside, and then put a second skin to turn and polish.

[pommyphil]

We might need a full blown tutorial on this, looks like great fun.

[turnerted]

Brendan
They look great . Is there some reason why you are using epoxy casting resin over polyester casting resin?

[brendan stemp]

Brendan
They look great . Is there some reason why you are using epoxy casting resin over polyester casting resin?

I have used polyester only the once and never again. It stinks and doesn't adhere to wood very well. There might be some other reasons that I am unaware of. I know epoxy is a far better product. I desperately wanted polyester to work for me because it is a lot cheaper but was so disappointed that I still have the best part of 3 litres left. I know Neil (dai sensei) knows a lot more about polyester than me so hopefully he can add something. I've also tried polyurethane but it sets too quick. Epoxy has about a 2 hour work time depending on the temperature. Urethane about 2 min!

[brendan stemp]

Which make of resin are you using and where are you getting it from?
I've got to give this a try.
Does the epoxy yellow with age? or are you pieces to new to find out?.
I've got a lot of marbles I'd like to put inside, and then put a second skin to turn and polish.

I buy my resin from Solid Solutions in East Bentleigh and will soon be a stockist for them. They have a good website.

From my experience it doesn't yellow over time unlike polyurethane.

The marble idea sounds like a good one. Good luck

[dai sensei]

Looking great there Brendan :2tsup:

Clear casting resin, be it polyester or the new forms of epoxy, will stay clear. The standard epoxy and other forms of resin can turn yellow. I have used both and Brendan is right, the epoxy does stick much better, but it is also far more expensive. I use poly, but then heaps of thin CA prior to turning and again if things become unstuck :-

Have you had any trouble with heat from the epoxy Brendan? I was advised not to use it in more than 5mm layers by the manufacturer due to possible boiling issues.

Cheers

[brendan stemp]

Have you had any trouble with heat from the epoxy Brendan? I was advised not to use it in more than 5mm layers by the manufacturer due to possible boiling issues.

Cheers

Yes, I have had 'issues' with boiling. I know it can be a problem and I know how to avoid it but every now and then I still make an error and have a very hot bubbling brew. It happened recently with a grinder I was casting. It was a solid mass broken up only by shavings from some woodturning. I don't agree with the 5mm rule but what seems to work is not having a big mass of resin but rather one that is broken up by other things like blocks of wood or gum nuts. The redgum scrap bowl was cast in one hit and would've been at least 20mm thick and in sections solid resin. The other thing that can effect things is the ambient temperature. Trying to cast things on a hot 40 degree day is tempting trouble.

[powderpost]

Brendon, I haven't yet fully explored the laminating caper and now you bring this casting thing up.. :oo: :). I did play with epoxy resin some time back, mainly filling in holes with bits of wood. I like what you are doing. I too like the second bowl.
Jim

[cookie48]

They are both very very nice. C