Resin and Seed Pod cast bowl

**dai sensei** · 14th August 2012, 09:22 PM

I couldn't resist casting something else in these flouro colours, so decided to give a bowl a go, using Brendan Stemp's double plastic bowl forming technique.

So down to Crazy Clarkes to purchase a few cheap bowls. I got one for the outside made from a brittle plastic for $2, and one from a 3 bowl set in a softer plastic for $4, the largest one in the set. As usual, straight to a large one rather than experimenting with a small one first

.

I made a timber cross and screwed the smaller bowl to it. The cross was then used to support the smaller bowl within the larger one, held in place with just some gaffa tape

. I had to cut the lip of the smaller bowl to get the seed pods in, but then they were held in place avoiding the normal floating problems. Well it took a while to push all the pods in, moving them by shaking etc, until the gap was filled.

I had previously measured the volume of the gap with water at 1.7 litres, so hoped the seeds would fill the gap a considerable amount. I mixed up 4 x 250mls of resin, then added the neutral Pearlex, before adding green/yellow/orange flouro dye, plus one with a bright red dye. Waited the usual time to thicken slightly, couldn't wait too long as I wasn't using pressure on this one, too big for the pot. Poured the resin in 2 of 50-80mls each at a time varying the colours until it was all cast - ~1.1 litres all up @ 2% catalyst.

Unfortunately I was still well low of the top, so waited another hour, then added almost another 400mls at 1% catalyst of black thinking I would get a black rim, then left it over night to set. I used less catalyst assuming the heat from the first pour would make up for it. The next day it still wasn't set completely

A bit cold over night, plus I used a heap of dye, so affected the setting time. Some of the flouro colours had raised through the black and there wasn't much black left at the top. I had visions of horrible dark mixed colours

.

After a few days in a warm room, where i was drying some timber pen blanks in the dehydrator, she had set and I could start demolding it. Luckily the colours hadn't mixed completely

There are only a few tiny holes in the resin, but they don't go far in. It is 250mm dia, 100mm high with wall thickness 20-23mm and a base thickness of 20mm.

Tomorrow I have a day off, so will see how she turns. I will need to do it in stages as the pods will need stabilising with thin CA, to ensure they are hard, plus ensure they are stuck well to the PR. Epoxy would have been better, but I am up for a challenge

I'll glue on a scrap timber piece to the bottom before turning to hold it in the chuck. This is not going to be a thin walled bowl, it will need some meat to ensure the resin and pods hold together, say ~10mm.

Cheers

**plantagenon** · 14th August 2012, 10:03 PM

Ingenious. That looks like it will come up with absolutely beautiful colours. I was about to ask who you would polish it but I read onto the end of the thread and it was explained. I am looking forward to seeing the final polished bowl.

Greg

**Scott** · 14th August 2012, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by plantagenon

I am looking forward to seeing the final polished bowl.

Same with me!

I've always wondered how this sort of thing would turn out (no pun intended), thanks for saving me from wasting some resin

**Acco** · 14th August 2012, 10:38 PM

Waiting with abated breath to see how this turns out!!

**tea lady** · 14th August 2012, 11:04 PM

Interesting.

**gawdelpus** · 15th August 2012, 03:39 AM

I saw this in the flesh today ! considering the methodology it is remarkably smooth and the colors will change with the turning process,this will be a real challenge ,but knowing Neils abilities he will pull it off hehe. Even in straight PR would not be easy ,but full of seed pods will be enough to cause some heart stopping times I would think

good luck with it Neil

**dai sensei** · 15th August 2012, 02:44 PM

I sanded the edge down then hot-melt glued the base to some scrap timber and placed some more scrap timber on the inside to help support the base.

I've turned the outside and given it a quick sand and wet it down for the photo. The black unfortunately has penetrated all the way, the only other colours so far are actually within the pod crevas, plus some streaking

Took some photos in case the worst happens

**gawdelpus** · 15th August 2012, 04:01 PM

So far so good

looks like you will have a bowl full of nuts,even when its empty hehe,
Cheers ~ John

**dai sensei** · 15th August 2012, 07:38 PM

Typical, day off and as usual watch more TV (video) than I should

The inside and out are done and I've given it a few coats of 50% nitro to seal it. Just need to finish the bottom and do the final finish on the weekend. Ended up going for 7mm thickness, 10 looked a bit too thick. I should have used more green rather than the black, it has taken over.

**tea lady** · 17th August 2012, 10:45 AM

Nice experiment.

I think those seed pods look more interesting design wise cross cut rather than lengthwise.

**brendan stemp** · 23rd August 2012, 11:18 AM

Lookin good Neil. When are we going to see the final piece or has the TV taken over again. Olympics is over so no excuse

**dai sensei** · 23rd August 2012, 09:39 PM

Just the bottom to finish Brendan. Been side tracked with clearing yard for new fence. Chopped down a few big umbrella trees, ~5 trailer loads, plus a few pen and spinning top blanks

Collapses a fair bit, but hopefully some useful stuff amongst them.

I also cast another bowl, this time with the smaller sheoak pods and just flouro green resin (my new favourite colour

), turning it and finishing this one over the weekend

**dabbler** · 23rd August 2012, 09:58 PM

Can't wait to see the finished product. It must be a lot lighter weight-wise now. I just looked back through the thread and you really thinned it down.

So, are we going to see some umbrella tree flower castings some time in the future ?

**dai sensei** · 25th August 2012, 01:50 PM

Just stopped for lunch and let the thin CA set, thought I'd post progress on the green bowl, and turning my shop green

**gawdelpus** · 25th August 2012, 02:07 PM

I've heard about going "green" but this is ridiculous hehe,lucky you have a full mask or your hair and moustache would also be green

, looking good so far Neil .Take your time with it

cheers ~ John

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