Thread: Stabilization ,Casting and dyiing

Howdy Artme,
Setting up your own casting/stabilisation unit does not have to be
overly expensive, there are plenty of small pressure pots available
online. I have a 20lt unit that only cost $70.00 and you can get
bench top compressors for under $100. Vac is not required.

cheers Mick

Hello Madmix

Can you explain the process and setup

Thanks

Thanks Mick.
Now, what about the different brews? I note that they have several types of "plastics" in the US that they cast. Having difficulty getting a handle on suppliers here.

Hi LH, do a search of the IAP forum or here for the various processes
of stabilisation and casting, has been covered here before but Im not sure
where to find it. Basicly the setup is a heavy duty paint pressure pot,rated
to about 100psi, most stabilisation and casting is done between 20 - 60psi, so
a relatively small benchtop compressor is quite adequate.

Artme, as far as Brews are concerned try armsmodelit.com.au very
competitive prices and reliable. Also try your local marine chandlery or
fiberglass supplier, especially for the cheaper polyester resin.

Most casters dont pass on exact recipes or mixing processes for a number
of reasons. Firstly to protect thier work from being replicated, secondly
weather factors such as temperature and humidity can significantly
alter the final result, but most importantly we often exceed the manufacturers
recomendations and could be held liable if it goes BANG.

A basic stabilisation recipe is polyester resin and 10% styrene monomer
(Manufacturers maximum recommendation). But now as you want it
to have time to penetrate the timber reduce the manufacturers
recommended amount of catalyst by 50%.

No I'm not going to tell you what figures I use, but you can make it
cure in an hour or a couple of weeks.

cheers Mick

An alternative method uses the same pressure pot, but under a vacuum instead.

I can't that say I can see any difference in the end result.