Just wondering if there is a retailer in Australia who sells the Alumilite 2 part clear casting resin. Have searched the internet and contacted Barnes but no luck. I am in Brisbane.
Printable View
Just wondering if there is a retailer in Australia who sells the Alumilite 2 part clear casting resin. Have searched the internet and contacted Barnes but no luck. I am in Brisbane.
Aldax in Sydney are the Aussie supplier....
https://www.aldaxstore.com.au/
Aldax sellit as Gabriel noted. Keep in mind Alumilite is just a brand of Polyurethane resin and Barnes and other resin suppliers have their own brands.
Thank you for responding to my question. My reason is that I have been watching some videos on clear casting using Aluminite (polyurethane). I note that it cures quicker, isn’t tacky on the surface when set and is easier to turn. I have been using polyester resin but find that can be brittle and usually tacky when set even after 24 or more hours. Would love to hear from those who have had experience with either of these resins or any others.
I prefer epoxy resin - I use barnes clariti
....
Not the cheapest option but it has done me well so far.
I prefer epoxy as it adheres to timber much better than polyester, and still gives me plenty of open time (30 mins give or take)
I haven't used polyurethane resin yet, and the 5 min open time scares me (I usually stuff around too much)
Polyester casting resin is designed to stay tacky on the surface so that layers adhere to each other as a casting is built up. Any surface exposed to air stays a bit tacky. Needs to be either sanded off or there is supposedly some surface cure spray you can get.Quote:
Originally Posted by daryl1
Cheers, Robbie.
I did a lot of looking around at Alumilite Dary1 and eventually gave it a miss as I believe it is probably not really suited to our climate (North QLD.) due to the humidity.
I am now using an epoxy resin (I believe its a Barnes product) which is a 2:1 mix and I get it from a local fiberglass supplier. I am extremely happy with it and using mica powders I am having great results. I have attached a photo of one of my recent pens and a new block cast yesterday.
Photography is not up to scratch yet but its enough to give you an idea. Must say my few customers so far seem to love it. I am working my way up to hybrid castings but having a lot of fun so far.:D
Oh, almost forgot I use a pressure pot as well.
Attachment 444092Attachment 444093Attachment 444095
Attachment 444094
Also my personal preference is for epoxy as I find PR very chippy and I do not like turning it at all as i find the aroma puts me off.
Hope this helps.
Cheers, Ian
Polyurethanes are the best if you want to do multicoloured banks and/or you want to turn very soon (you can cast and turn same day). Main disadvantages are the cost, it reacts (even more than PR) to moisture, it sets really fast (even the slow set, I got 3 mins only). Pure resin blanks are fine but hybrids need to be stabilised or 0%MC.
There is a rubberised PR that can be added to the normal PR at ~5% so it is not so brittle. It still stinks though, shrinks and doesn’t stick so well.
For me it’s Epoxy, less cost, all the advantages of polyurethane except more time to set.
I only do clear casting so I would need a water clear resin. I use a pressure pot to reduce the risk of air bubbles so a slow cure resin would be better for me. I find the polyester resin chippy and need to be very careful when turning. Have ruined a few blanks in the past with chipping.
Don't go hard at the polyester resin and you will find you have less problems. I have used many resins so far in casting and have found I now will stay with just 2 items. polyester resin (Not brand specific) and epoxy resin. I have used allumilite and really not a fan of it but probably with more practice I would do better and the other product I did like was liquid Diamonds mainly because it is like water and I am yet to have any bubbles while using it and at the same time it is thin enough to go into any gaps. it is up to you what brands you use