Thread: pen from 1st casting

That looks good tex. I am surprised how well the blanks come out when they look nothing like that after pouring the resin. I look forward to seeing more of the pens.

Cheers Ian

I would personally be ashamed with trying to put two such colours together
but if it was red and green it might be another story
I'd also say - good effort but then I've never tried such a thing

That's agreat result from your first casting texx

Casting 2 or more colours like that isn't as simple as it looks.

I turn as early as overnight without problems, I have once cast in the morning and turned in the afternoon and that worked OK, but I gave it extra time in my toaster oven.

Great job, good colour separation.

In theory you can turn it after a couple hours, but as it shrinks as it sets, I prefer leaving for about 24 hours to make sure no changes will occur after it's turned. I've had no problems doing it earlier though. The main problem is if the weather is cold, or you haven't used enough catalyst and it's still sticky. Sticking it in the sun to finish "baking" helps.

Russell.

i did think i had blew it for a while .
i mixed the 2 colours 150mm yellow in one container and 100mm blue in another then just squirted some drops of cat in stirred for a while nothing was happening so i squirted a bit more cat in each but a lot more went in one than i had intended .
i just kept stirring then look out the blue started to thicken real quick so i thought ok just dribble the 2 colours into the mould at the same time and should do the job , but i was only dribbling for a few seconds and the blue turned to some thing between snot and an alien slinky so i dumped the lot in and tried to spread it around but it kind of dragged around in a lump .
so i rekon i was lucky another few seconds would of been to late .
also should of put a tad more resin in turned out it probably needs another 30 to 50 mil in that mould .
i wanted to do it without stirring cos that would of given me green i think and i never wanted even a hint of canberra green any where in there .
on the time frame for turning i suppose if its started cooling its finished curing ???

Originally Posted by texx

on the time frame for turning i suppose if its started cooling its finished curing ???

Hmm, logically, you'd think that makes sense. But I've noticed a lot more shrinkage overnight after the resin feels set already.

Russell.

Heaps of catalyst, in the heat, you have done well

well done mate, great to play with the resin

i found that once the tubes i make loose their flex that they are pretty well right for turning, i usually cast friday night but leave the turning until sunday, but it is a lot colder down here, really its some to play with due to temp diffs

great first result and it sounds like you learnt alot as well

MIK

Originally Posted by texx

i just kept stirring then look out the blue started to thicken real quick so i thought ok just dribble the 2 colours into the mould at the same time and should do the job , but i was only dribbling for a few seconds and the blue turned to some thing between snot and an alien slinky so i dumped the lot in and tried to spread it around but it kind of dragged around in a lump .

It can thicken on you REALLY fast.. especially with too much catalyst. You can
start pouring and suddenly find your mixing cup suspended over the mold, held by
just the hardened resin. I've got some partially poured works of art in my shop. On a
good note, you now know that this is how to get a very definite color separation in your
pour.. but to get any kind of swirling you might need one more hand with a stick..
Nice job!

Nice cast texx. No stopping you now!!
Pen's OK too. Parramatta colours helps.

Looks pretty good for a first cast.

I pour and can turn the blank in 57 minutes. I usually cast a lot while I'm set up, so I do this between pours or if someone wants something in a hurry. Shouldn't take more than 24 hrs. for most though.

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

I would personally be ashamed with trying to put two such colours together
but if it was red and green it might be another story
I'd also say - good effort but then I've never tried such a thing

Well done

Excellent work if that is your first effort Wow! way too go. Look forward to seeing lots more.