Casting is like a box of chocolates

[robutacion]

Originally Posted by Lenny

With apologies to Forest Gump .... you just never know what you are going to get when you cast PR.
Having done a cast using four different colors, I ended up with a little bit of three colors left over. I keep some pvc tubes ready for the extra. The rod on top is the same as the one used on the pen.
I turned the first blank down to size and when it stopped spinning I couldn't believe what it looked like!

Absolutely, Lenny...!

That has been my most talked about "claim" I have been making about casting, since day one.

You case there, is very extreme indeed, and I have no problem in see why you got such a shock but, being myself a member of the club "try something different every time...!" when it comes to casting, off-course...!, I simply enjoy too much the unknown factor with my casting system.

There is not the first time that, I get so excited and anxious about the pour I've made in the afternoon evening that I get up in the middle of the night to get it out of the pot, rap the molds in foil paper, put in the oven for 15 minutes and down to the bandsaw I go...!

I do not stop until I cut one blank out of the block and turn it into a finished sample, them, I can go and finish my sleep...! yeah...! I know..., it's pretty bad, huh...???

Just remember, I'm a retired fellow so, I can be in the shed all night and sleep all day, nobody cares, needer do I...!

Cheers
George

[Lenny]

Originally Posted by LeeR

Most commonly seen as the "Streamline". That was my first pen kit when I started turning last Fall, and still my favorite 7mm pen.

Very beautiful blank, Lenny. I've not done any casting, but your comment on PVC intrigued me. Does the blank slide out easily, or do you use some type of mold release? I suppose you could run thru a table saw set to have the blade just cut the PVC, and make cuts on either side to pop it off.

Inquiring minds want to know!

Lee, that kit is by far my best seller. I have only done craft fairs so far and "by word of mouth".
The pvc pipe works very well. I took a piece of scrap plywood and drilled some holes about 1/2" deep, sized for a tight fit. They slip right in and eliminate the need to plug the ends. At first I sprayed them with PAM but haven't seen a need to since. After they set up I just tap them out with a suitable sized rod (dowel or bolt) ... they come right out.

[Lenny]

Originally Posted by robutacion

Absolutely, Lenny...!


I do not stop until I cut one blank out of the block and turn it into a finished sample, them, I can go and finish my sleep...! yeah...! I know..., it's pretty bad, huh...???


Cheers
George

That's not bad! Sounds perfectly NORMAL to me!!!!

Thanks George!!!