Thread: Taking The Next Step (Casting)

Go with the PR, that's what I have done. It is easier, cheaper and when cast properly gives great results.

Cheers
Tony.

Originally Posted by Paulphot

I'm about to start casting and have been undecided on using PR or Epoxy. Tony, I'm not questioning your methods but, would the epoxy set harder, quicker with more hardener in it or does this not seem to effect the finished product?

I think I'll start with some PR but I'm a bit concerned as I plan on casting around tubes and I don't want the shrinkage to expose the brass yube at the ends.

Well I was all set last night to do a pour but I couldn't get the lid off the resin tin

Might have to buy a fresh tin, this one (although never opened) is about 5 years old.

There you go your first casting of the inside of a tin hehe. I think my first casting took three days to set, and was still sticky even then, a quick cook in the toaster oven soon fixed that though I hope it was a small tin though .can get a tad expensive with bigger tins cheers ~ John

Bummer. I had a 4-litre tin that sat for only about 18 months while I was on Hiatus, and it was on it's side. The lid came off fine, but I had a nice semi-circular block of resin. I've still got it. I reckon one day I'll find a use for it, to carve something out. But at the moment, it's a $25 Doorstop.

Russell.

Hey all,

Working on some mould's for different casting purposes with a couple of friends here on the forums. I plan on putting my under worked, "but cost me a small packet to build CNC" too some use for a little while anyway.

Thanks
Tony.

Funny, that left one looks almost exactly like mine
Let us know how the HDPE block goes on your machine. Mine prototype which was welded with paraffin was so slippery my clamps couldn't hold it Darn rain is making it too wet to try casting though, so no idea how it'll work yet.

Russell.

The first one does look familiar hehe!!

Russell when cutting this material I think it would be best to either screw it down to the sacrificial board of the CNC or the mould material could be screwed to a board from underneath which could then be clamped for cutting. Just some suggestions. Yeh until I sort myself out with some mould's I am not doing too much this end with casting anyway. But looking forward to some experimenting taking place eventually

Cheers
Tony

Put the screw holes in the corners, in line with the centre of the smaller slots, that way we can use the same holes to fix the hold downs to them

I just did a cast of some beautiful Ringneck Pheasant feathers, could be my best yet. Also a few watch part and and polymer clay blanks. Probably turn them over the weekend if I get time.

Sounds great Neil, looking forward to seeing your work.
Regarding the holes,that should not be a problem, we should be able to cut a part out and cut it to shape for the hold down too

Cheers
Tony

Hey All,

Had the pleasure of John and Neil around my place today, and thanks for the bag of goodies guy's I'm sure I will find a good use for them
Well apart from not cutting deep enough in the tool paths for the CNC making the cutting time very long we did eventually end up with some molds.
John and Neil, I do not think I will add more length to the molds as the finishing pass has done that for us. The made up tubes now fit snuggly into the molds I have attached some photos, let me know what you think.

Neil and John kindly helped with the putting together of my Pressure Pot too today so I am really starting to get my setup ready to rock now

Cheers
Tony

Thanks Tony ! these will come in handy This is what its all about combining our experiences and skills for a common purpose in the interests of advancing our passions . I think they turned out perfect for our purposes and will make life a little easier to be able to produce multiple blanks with a lot less preparation time No excuses now to not try the pressure casting hehe,it does add to the creative pleasure quite considerably as you will find ,usually can't wait to try each new casting Cheers ~ John

Did you actually hit that screw on the right, or is it just shavings covering the edge of it? I'm yet to experience the joy of running the bit into the hold-down

Russell.

Hi Russell,

No screws hit but a very nervous moment as the cutter got closer and closer Material cuts very well without issue.
Just took a long time due to me being very cautious in taking only a very small cut with the result being too many passes.
But I am learning that's the main thing

Cheers
Tony.

Looking good Tony. By the look of the positioning of the trial make-ups in the troughs, I'd still add maybe another 2mm to the length. I'd also reduce the spacing of the troughs so that the separating wall is thinner, giving a thicker outer wall, and more clearance to the hold down screws.

Thanks for an interesting day, wish I had one.

Cheers