Thread: Commercial casting project

Cheers John. I was thinking along those lines for the actual polishing but its the rough to smooth sanding and going through the different grits thats time consuming. I have a fella looking into plastics polishing machine for me, whatever that is so we shall see what happens

I guess you may need to check how smooth you can get the original mold as well ,the smoother the better obviously "0000" steel wool is a good preliminary surface polisher there are various grades of buffing /cutting compounds that will take out scratches and imperfections in plastics and acrylics ,even the u-beaut triple eee is a fine cutting compound ! cheers ~ John

The old brasso works great but I reckon eee would be better. My moulds are very good as I make a timber master, pour it, then sand the PR cast to glass and then remould that as a new master. But the PR shrinks a bit and leaves a sort of spider web in places. Pretty right to start with 800 grit but the top shrinks the most and needs 220 grit to get it flat again

Just discovered that WD40 works great as a release agent on PVC pipe with PR. Learning every day.

Just make sure you don't get any on anything you actually want casted in the PR

Like the in the pinkysil ? I had to use some 100 mm sewer pipe as a mould and from previous experience I knew I had to use something. I did 2 casts 1 with silicone spray and the other with WD40. Both worked but the WD40 was really good. No need with the pinkysil obviously

If your are looking to shred old moulds I use a hand mincer with course holes you get lots of little pellets.

Although you don't need a spray release - the heat from PR will eventually dry out the mould, causing it to become brittle and break appart with repeated use. By mixing vaso and white spirit this will create a super smooth eadge and gloss appearance on the casting... Itis also an excellent release agent preventing the mould from drying out over time..

Hi all. Well its been a long time between posts - real work getting in the way. But, we have a product on the market which is selling. No secrets, no patents and a product that in no way resembles the original concept, which was ditched. I've just started doing bangles too to appeal to non - coffee nutters. I'd really like to thank all that showed guidance and encouragement.

Cheers,

Alex.

Ringtail Resincraft by RingtailResinCraft on Etsy

Looking good Ringtail. I see you've shifted from the wood.

I've just finished reading the entire thread and see you have had quite a journey.

Just read it all myself too. You have a pretty comprehensive website. Hope it works out for you but I imagine the cheap china imports will be competition. Nevertheless, your resin making has worked out well. Perhaps you can put some tips up on here.

Thanks guys. Yep, quite a journey but a great one too. There is nothing like my product ( tamper stands) in the world. They are impossible to mass produce - well the colour mixing anyway. I'm now starting to make bits for espresso machine porta filters - handles to be precise. There is a lot of timber after market ones out there and they are truly beautiful but not entirely fit for purpose IMO. A environment with steam, boiling water, heat, and force are not really pointing to long timber life. The resin is perfect for it. Just need a lathe now to turn my own blanks. Hmmm, timber or metal lathe ?

Any way, here is a pic of my first resin porta filter handle, moulded from a timber one a good mate turned for me. Colours are boring but for testing purposes it doesn't matter. The handle has a 75 mm long SS M12x1.75 bolt up the guts cast in situ. Its a cup head bolt with the head cut off but still retaining the square section. Heat is not a issue. The assembly sits in the machine all day and there is heat transfer up the handle from the bolt but the resin is barely warm to touch.

Cheers,

Alex.

A pic of a blank ready for turning. Its 150 long and 48 D

Now you will have to take them onto the Inventors on the ABC to get some free nationwide advertising. Best of luck with the market.

Thanks mate. Hardly invention status worthy Plenty of free marketing through Facebook and various coffee forums that I belong too.