Casting Demo Help Needed

[firewhatfire]

I have volunteered to do a Casting Demo at my local woodturners meeting. I am putting together a product and vendors list for them and want to make sure I have everything listed. Look over my list and see what I need to add. I plan on printing this out and having it available as a handout and as a email so they links can be clicked to go directly to vendors page for the particular product.

Casting Vendor List​

Molds
Silicone Molds
· http://www.luv2turn.com/siliconemold.html Fred Wissen
· http://www.penturners.org/forum/f165/resinsaver-molds-90271/#post1324032
· I also use ¾ PVC pipe for a mold also as an alternative. ½ if I am pouring for slimline pens
Casting Resin
Silmar 41 Casting Resin
· http://www.carbon-fiber.us/resin-systems-polyester-resins-c-3332_3353.html
· http://www.uscomposites.com/polyesters.html
Color for Resin
· http://www.coastalscents.com/make-your-own-1/makeup-ingredients/mica-powder.html
· http://www.uscomposites.com/pigments.html
· http://www.slice-of-the-moon.com/category/catId=3438406
· http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Orange-Mica-Powder-1oz/dp/B0040EOLJ8/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1326784035&sr=8-2-spell
Other Items needed
· Stirring sticks- Michaels or Hobby Lobby. 1000 box has lasted me a while
· Mixing Cups- Paper cups (Dixie) 2 sizes work best (3 oz and 5 oz)
Ø Do not use plastic cups unless they have the recycle 5 code as they others will melt
· Wax Paper (It just makes a good work surface and easier to clean up
· Swirling Stick- I use a piece of copper wire bent in several different directions.

 

[firewhatfire]

any help at all will be appreciated

 

[woodgraver]

Here are some other things you could mention.

Harbor Freight Ultrasonic Cleaner (heated). I sometimes will heat up the resin to make sure there are no bubbles at all in my clear castings.

Harbor Freight dental tools...they are great for picking out bubbles that do get entrained.

Alumilite. I know you aren't demonstrating that, but it is another very popular casting procuct.

Other than that, I think you have a pretty comprehensive list going.

 

[renowb]

Also as mentioned above, maybe for information purposes, mention the other resins too, such as PR too. The list looks fairly complete.

 

[Buzzzz4]

Thanks for asking the questions. I'm doing the same thing in February for our local woodturner's group.

 

[woodgraver]

You may want to speak to vacuum/pressure applications. It seems most do not use vacuum for casting but do use pressure for Alumilite and any PR casting involving embedded objects.

 

[Buzzzz4]

Another thing to have along would be the work that Curtis put together recently of the differences of Alumilite to Silmar and other resins.

 

[Wayne]

Phil, have you taken a look in the library?
http://www.penturners.org/forum/f139/iap-library-casting-79502/

 

[navycop]

Also as mentioned above, maybe for information purposes, mention the other resins too, such as PR too. The list looks fairly complete.

I have been using castn craft from Michael's. Also you can get little jars of Pearlex powders to add to the resin. These are kind of small. I bought a pack with 6 different colors just to try casting before I invested alot in the big bottles at coastalscents.

 

[randywa]

I also keep a box of gloves, a roll of paper towels, a couple of trash bags, and my respirator with my casting stuff. I seem to be a little messy.

 

[seamus7227]

Ø Do not use plastic cups unless they have the recycle 5 code as they others will melt

I actually use recycle code 1 cups and they work great also!

 

[firewhatfire]

thanks for all of the great info. You folks are a great resource.

I will update my list and continue to monitor this thread for info.

Phil

 

[firewhatfire]

updated list

here is my updated list. I will continue to update it as more info is brought to my attention. If anyone wants a copy emailed to them in a word document send me a message with your email address.

Casting Vendor List​

Molds
Silicone Molds
· http://www.luv2turn.com/siliconemold.html Fred Wissen
· http://www.penturners.org/forum/f165/resinsaver-molds-90271/#post1324032
· I also use ¾ PVC pipe for a mold also as an alternative. ½ if I am pouring for slimline pens
Casting Resin
Silmar 41 Casting Resin
· http://www.carbon-fiber.us/resin-systems-polyester-resins-c-3332_3353.html
· http://www.uscomposites.com/polyesters.html
Alumilite
· http://www.alumilite.com/Applications/PenTurning.cfm
Castn Craft
· Michaels http://www.michaels.com/Castin%E2%80%99-Craft-Casting-Resin/gc0509,default,pd.html?cgid=products-generalcrafts-basicsupplies-resincasting&start=25

Color for Resin
· http://www.coastalscents.com/make-your-own-1/makeup-ingredients/mica-powder.html
· http://www.uscomposites.com/pigments.html
· http://www.slice-of-the-moon.com/category/catId=3438406
· http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Orange-Mica-Powder-1oz/dp/B0040EOLJ8/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1326784035&sr=8-2-spell
· Pearlx from Michaels or hobby Lobby
Link
· (IAP )International Association of Penturners http://www.penturners.org/forum/f139/iap-library-casting-79502/

Other Items needed
· Stirring sticks- Michaels or Hobby Lobby. 1000 box has lasted me a while
· Mixing Cups- Paper cups (Dixie) 2 sizes work best (3 oz and 5 oz)
Ø Do not use plastic cups unless they have the recycle 1 or 5 code as they others will melt
· Wax Paper (It just makes a good work surface and easier to clean up)
· Swirling Stick- I use a piece of copper wire bent in several different directions.
· Dental Picks
· Ultra Sonic Cleaner--heated
· Paper Towels
· Gloves
· Trash bags
· Toothpics
· Respirator
· Post-it Notes
· Notebook and pen for keeping track of what you mixed to duplicate your blank

 

[navycop]

List is looking good. Soon you will want to add: snakeskins, decals, labels...But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

 

[carpblaster]

Safety glasses,I will help you set up that day if you dont mind a tag along to help carry in,and are you taking your oven and cover. Rodney

 

[tkbarron]

Beer. You forgot to add beer or in my case, Jack & Coke.

 

[Turned Around]

do you recommend using "clear" or "water clear" Alumilite for casting pens?
I'm used to using Hobby Lobby, bottom shelf PR and I'm looking for something new to try, but I'm only interested in clear casting.

 

[Buzzzz4]

do you recommend using "clear" or "water clear" Alumilite for casting pens?
I'm used to using Hobby Lobby, bottom shelf PR and I'm looking for something new to try, but I'm only interested in clear casting.

Alumilite clear gives a better shine, but it is best to have a pressure pot or you will get tiny little annoying bubbles. For clear casting with the tube in though you will want to stick with PR. Alumilite with turn cloudy with any hint of moisture with any clear casting and it will pull away from the tube.

 

[Turned Around]

do you recommend using "clear" or "water clear" Alumilite for casting pens?
I'm used to using Hobby Lobby, bottom shelf PR and I'm looking for something new to try, but I'm only interested in clear casting.

Alumilite clear gives a better shine, but it is best to have a pressure pot or you will get tiny little annoying bubbles. For clear casting with the tube in though you will want to stick with PR. Alumilite with turn cloudy with any hint of moisture with any clear casting and it will pull away from the tube.

i haven't used one for casting the PR blanks and i don't get any bubbles.

 

[tkbarron]

Use Clear, not Water Clear, for pens. Water Clear doesn't hold up well to heat generated from either turning or sanding. It will gum up.

Tom