WriteRev
Member
I was lucky to be selected to test one of the new creative dimension blanks. I agreed that I would complete this task by casting the blank in resin.
I debated what to do about colors. With pineapples and flowers, this could have called for a bright use of color. I tend to the more subtle pallets so prepared this one to look like an aloha shirt that I have - simple white accents. I hit the high spots with white acrylic paint while turning at a high speed. A light touch and the pattern was well highlighted.
At this point I must have done something to offend the casting gods.
I popped it in my resin-saver mold. Reaching for my alumilite, I learned that shelf life really does matter - I guess I hadn't used it in a while. One of the cans had solidified. (At least it was only a partial can).
I turned to the can of PR and successfully poured the blank. After it was fully cured, I started turning. Looking good. Just a little way to go. But the gods were not yet pleased. A small catch and I had a problem. The resin lifted from part of the blank. This I've never seen before.
Not wanting to give up, I carefully peeled back the resin. The black was unharmed underneath. There was still hope. A little cleaning, back in the pot and back to the lathe. It was worth the effort:
My impressions? These are very detailed, well executed blanks. They have considerable room for embellishment and customization. They are very eye catching. I don't know what happened with the first cast, though I assume I did something wrong. Once cast, it was a breeze to finish. I'll probably lean toward a CA finish when I do another. These are fun and in no way as difficult as they might appear.
I just wish my photography did justice to this pen!
Steve
I debated what to do about colors. With pineapples and flowers, this could have called for a bright use of color. I tend to the more subtle pallets so prepared this one to look like an aloha shirt that I have - simple white accents. I hit the high spots with white acrylic paint while turning at a high speed. A light touch and the pattern was well highlighted.
At this point I must have done something to offend the casting gods.
I popped it in my resin-saver mold. Reaching for my alumilite, I learned that shelf life really does matter - I guess I hadn't used it in a while. One of the cans had solidified. (At least it was only a partial can).
I turned to the can of PR and successfully poured the blank. After it was fully cured, I started turning. Looking good. Just a little way to go. But the gods were not yet pleased. A small catch and I had a problem. The resin lifted from part of the blank. This I've never seen before.
Not wanting to give up, I carefully peeled back the resin. The black was unharmed underneath. There was still hope. A little cleaning, back in the pot and back to the lathe. It was worth the effort:
My impressions? These are very detailed, well executed blanks. They have considerable room for embellishment and customization. They are very eye catching. I don't know what happened with the first cast, though I assume I did something wrong. Once cast, it was a breeze to finish. I'll probably lean toward a CA finish when I do another. These are fun and in no way as difficult as they might appear.
I just wish my photography did justice to this pen!
Steve
