Casting Coffee Beans and Other Qqestions

**wm460** · 23rd July 2016, 11:04 AM

I tried casting coffee beans with disastrous results, the beans appear to have a skin/shell when I turn them the pop out every where, and the ones that stay there just crumbles when I sand them.

Whats the secret?

What sort of resin do the yanks use in their coffee beans blanks?

What type of colour do I need to get so I have a solid plain colour like in the the yank coffee beans blanks , I am after red, black and white.

When using luminous powder do you just use this in the resin or do you add another pigment with it.
I bought some blanks with two or three colours in them and would like to replicate them

**dai sensei** · 23rd July 2016, 06:44 PM

The beans need to be stabilised to ensure the gap between the inner and outer beans are glued together. Apart from using the proper resins and vacuum, you can use wood hardner from the hardware and soak the beans in it for a week (after which time the beans should be soft and spongy, if not keep soaking). Then wash outside and let dry for a few weeks.
If you are using PR you will need to dry further in oven to ensure 0%MC, or alternatively use casting epoxy

**wm460** · 23rd July 2016, 08:13 PM

Thanks Neil, I have some wood hardener, will do this.
I will be using Digger Resin.

**dai sensei** · 23rd July 2016, 09:57 PM

Originally Posted by wm460

Thanks Neil, I have some wood hardener, will do this.
I will be using Digger Resin.

Ok, after drying in sun for a couple of weeks you should see a white film forming outside (even after rinsing - gently), then place spread out on oven tray (on baking paper works well) in oven for ~6 hours at 120C to ensure completely dry. Then whilst still hot place in airlock bag to cool and keep them sealed until ready for casting.

Shame I didn't call in, I have coffee blanks in 5 colours (??) with me, somewhere anyway LOL

**dai sensei** · 23rd July 2016, 09:59 PM

I forgot to add, watch out when casting, even when stabilised the little b_ggers want to float in resin

. I weight them down with plastic flywire, then pour resin through it and leave to set in pressure pot. I then just cut/turn off the flywire

**wm460** · 26th July 2016, 09:30 PM

Thanks Neil, I hope to have a go on the week end.
Keep me in mind for another trip.

**wm460** · 31st July 2016, 09:08 PM

I tried soaking the coffee beans in Earls wood hardener and within an hour or so it went hard.

This normal?

**dai sensei** · 4th August 2016, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by wm460

I tried soaking the coffee beans in Earls wood hardener and within an hour or so it went hard.

This normal?

Sorry missed this one.

No it should stay liquid for ages. It should be like milk.

Photo looks normal though. It can form a crust, is it hard all the way through?

**wm460** · 4th August 2016, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Sorry missed this one.

No it should stay liquid for ages. It should be like milk.

That is what I was expecting.
Its not rock hard, I will try to separate then and see what happens.

**Sawdust Maker** · 4th August 2016, 09:46 PM

looks a bit like fruit cake

**dai sensei** · 4th August 2016, 10:05 PM

Old stock maybe. The beans weren't hot were they?

**wm460** · 5th August 2016, 07:43 AM

Don't know how long it was sitting on the shelf before I bought it, I have had it for about six months.
Its been bloody freezing here the last few weeks hasn't got above 25C.

Sent from my D6683 using Tapatalk

**QC Inspector** · 5th August 2016, 08:39 AM

Freezing! 25C???? Good one.

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