banksia pod vases

G'day
I have been playing with encapsulating banksia pods in epoxy . I first turned the shape I wanted in a bit of camphorlaurel and used this as a plug to cast a silicone rubber rubber mold in a bit of PVC pipe . I then turned the shape of the vase in a bit of scrap about 1mm smaller than the plug to test that I could get it in and out of the mold . I then turned the banksia pod to the same size and put it in the mold . The mold is then put back in the PVC pipe with the split in the pipe on the opposite side to the split in the mold . The clamps are then done up . Resin is then poured in and the mold put under vacuum for about 10 minutes . I have a perspex lid that I can fit to my pressure pot and I can adjust the vacuum till most of the bubbles come out . I then usually have to top up with more resin and when I am satisfied that all the resin has run in ,I remove the perspex lid and put the lid on the pressure pot and pressurise overnight .Next day I demold and leave it stand for another day .I then turn a tennon on the bottom of the vase and bore the hole then mount between centers and refine the shape . Any flaws , I repair with 15 minute epoxy .I then finish with WIP. I think the pictures are obvious . One picture shows the vase as it comes out of the mold .
Comments welcome
Ted

Brilliant, great work


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Excellent work. That is a job well done

Cheers Ian

Hi Ted,

Can you please confirm that the Banksia nut is cast in the upright position.?


Col

Col
Yes, cast in the upright positions .I don't know how many goes I'll get at it as the silicone mold is showing some signs of deteriation .
Ted

They look brilliant Ted, I do like turned banksia pods.

Tony