My wife picked up some seed pods (at least that's what I'm calling them) from a sweet gum tree and wanted me to try casting them. Turned out pretty neat. Used PR with spring green pearlex and a touch of blue color to add a little more depth. These turn like pinecones...gotta go slow and stabilize with CA often. Thanks for the look!
Sweet Gum Ball
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BSea
Member
Finally something useful from those stupid things. 
I like the pen, but not he tree though.
I like the pen, but not he tree though.
G1Pens
Member
I think that is pretty cool looking. The green looks really good with the brown of the pods.
Ruby pen turning
Member
Dang ... I knew I should have tried it. I could get truck loads around here, but now they have been mowed over. I will have to go look for some tomorrow. Did you use pressure or just cast them?
Ruby pen turning
Member
haha I forgot to say, that your pen looks awesome. What kit is it that you have used. I have never seen it before.
Rangertrek
Member
I tried a few of those last year. Yours turned out better than mine!
I have a few more ready to cast in a few weeks using a different method to help fill the voids.
I have a few more ready to cast in a few weeks using a different method to help fill the voids.
ToddMR
Member
I just did one of those kits not too long ago. You did a great job and those annoying pods look great in that blank! Very nicely done, I like the effect a lot.
This was one of the sculpted kits from PSI. I like the kit, but you have to cut a tenon for the center band...a little tricky with fragile blanks.
I don't have a pressure pot, so this was just cast in a rectangular mold.
Here's a little more info that might be helpful if you want to give these a shot:
I squared 4 sides of the pods before casting...top, bottom, and 2 sides.
Poured the resin in the mold to about 0.5 inch depth. Stacked the pods in the mold/resin letting the un-altered spiny ends overlap as much as possible. This seems to help hold the blank together when turning since it gives you added resin between pods. Finish pouring the resin over the top of the pods. Vibrate to remove air bubbles.
Thanks for the comments!
I don't have a pressure pot, so this was just cast in a rectangular mold.
Here's a little more info that might be helpful if you want to give these a shot:
I squared 4 sides of the pods before casting...top, bottom, and 2 sides.
Poured the resin in the mold to about 0.5 inch depth. Stacked the pods in the mold/resin letting the un-altered spiny ends overlap as much as possible. This seems to help hold the blank together when turning since it gives you added resin between pods. Finish pouring the resin over the top of the pods. Vibrate to remove air bubbles.
Thanks for the comments!
Brooks803
Member
It looks great! I picked up a good bit of those things a couple weeks ago to try out, guess I'll need to get moving on them now!