Taking WW casting to a new level

[dai sensei]

Well, not really WW, actually burl caps sliced up with the cut faces placed outwards and the natural edge cast into Pearlex coloured resins for pepper grinder blanks. They take 0.8-1.2 ltr of resin and most of a small burl cap, so the ratio of timber to resin will vary, and weigh 2.4-2.6kgs. I've sanded the casts roughly to 65mm square by 350mm long, then coated them with Gelcoat poly to bring out the colour and seal them.








From left to right:

• Red Coolabah with blue
• Brown Mallee with yellow
• Brown mallee with purple
• Red Mallee with pink
• Brown Mallee with white
• Red Coolabah with maroon
• Jarrah with red

I couldn't resist turning one, so also attached are photos of a Tas Myrtle burl with a mix of blood red dyed resin and Red-russett (maroon) Pearlex resin. Not for the faint hearted or inexperienced, you need very sharp drills and chisels, with a carefull approach to avoid chipping/tearing the resin.

Cheers

[gawdelpus]

I was lucky enough to see these in the flesh ,absolutely incredible ,in a few more years I might be ready to try one of these hehe, top marks Neil cheers ~ John

[wood hacker]

Absolutely spectacular

[mkypenturner]

they look great did you still put these in a pressure pot ?? and whats your mould look like ????

[dai sensei]

they look great did you still put these in a pressure pot ?? and whats your mould look like ????

The mould is just one big rectangular box lying horizontally. It is made from malemine sheet from the secondhand dealer screwed together and then sealed with cheap hot-melt glue. The resin doesn't stick to the platic coating of the malemine and the holt-melt glue is easily removed after use. Takes just 10 minutes to strip, clean and re-assemble ready for the next pour, as long as the driver drill is charged .

They are too big for my pressure pot, and mine is a big one, but it takes a number of pours, in the pot it is cooler. You can only use 400mls of resin max at one time or it cracks too much while setting, even with reduced catylist. I can only do it at night when temperatures are cooler, but even then if it is a hot night, I'll still get some cracks that need to be filled. I almost thought of putting it in the fridge, once I had initial set one night, when there was a low of 26C .

Apart from re-pouring any cracks, as I didn't use pressure, to ensure all the joints were stuck I flooded them with thin CA. After drilling, I also flooded the inside with thin CA, by forming a puddle and rotating them a few times(definately a mask needed).

Cheers

[Harry72]

They look pretty trick... next bowl blanks

[mkypenturner]

They look pretty trick... next bowl blanks

hey neil thats your next challenge

[cookie48]

When you have some spares let me know

[munruben]

Spectacular indeed. well done Neil.

[gawdelpus]

Hmmmm ! just thinking ,that's 18 full size blanks and 9 shorts in WW lol.

[dai sensei]

When you have some spares let me know

The red and purple are reserved, but the others are available. Unfortunately due to the amount of resin/burl/pearlex etc and up to 2.6kgs, they will be $75 each with $15 P&H if you are interested. I could also be convinced to cast some more in specific colours if wanted, although I need to get more burls at the show in May.

Cheers

[tea lady]

Pretty nice aren't they! :love:

[seamus7227]

Looks awesome! the colors of the resin compliment the wood beautifully!

[Dorno]

MARVELLOUS is all i have to say

Well done Neil


Cheers Ian

[cookie48]

They look very nice. I have never made any grinders so could not be tempted to pay that price untill I have tried.