Looking to start making acrylic blanks

[WineWorkerAdamC]

I'm kicking around the idea of making my own acrylic (or polyresin, I guess? What's the difference?) and need a place to start. Here are my questions:

What's the process?

Do I need an oven, or is it a lower-temperature process?

What do I use to color the resin/acrylic?

What are the best resins/acrylics to use, and where can I find them?

How would I make a mold in order to get the 1" x 1" x 5"-6" blanks that I want?

Any information that you guys have would be really helpful.

Cheers,

Adam

[glycerine]

Check the library articles and all of your questions should be answered...

[WineWorkerAdamC]

I'm hoping to get good info here in one place, if people would be so kind.

[glycerine]

You can get good info in one place if you'll just pick one of the library articles and read it. I'm not trying to be rude or blow you off, but all of the info you need is there. Here's a link to the library index: http://www.penturners.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1488
If you'll scroll down to "casting...", take a look at a few of those articles, some even have pictures explaining the process.
There's also an article on how to make a silicone mold, I have made a few this way: http://content.penturners.org/articl...icone_Mold.pdf

[soligen]

You'll end up getting incomplete summaries here becasue there is just too much to tell - thats why we have the library. Starting there will give you most of what you want to know, and you will know enough information to ask more specific questions to clarify things for you.

Everything you are asking is there in way more detail and anyone is likely to type in a reply here.

DOnt mena to put you off - its just the best option.

[its_virgil]

With all due respect, a lot of info is in one place...several articles are in one place ...in the library. Several of us have been so kind as to make the info available. Take time to look, do some reading and I think a lot of your questions may be answered. You can also search and read the postings in the casting forum for lots of helpful information. I don't intend for this reply to be harsh but there is so much info that I really don't know where to start. Happy casting.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

Originally Posted by WineWorkerAdamC

I'm hoping to get good info here in one place, if people would be so kind.

[snyiper]

Plus in case you were unaware there are different materials to cast with. there are also ways to cast with a minimal outlay of cash!!! To top it all off there are different type of casting like wortheless wood and imbeded items like coffee or scorpions. I think youll find many days worth of reading on the subject depending on what you want to do.

[ZanderPommo]

ive found the cheapest price for good resin (silmar 41 clear polyester casting resin) is at US composites, to your door for less than $50 per gallon

the best source ive found for pigments (mica powders) is coastalscents, i believe they have something like 117 colors

Originally Posted by WineWorkerAdamC

I'm kicking around the idea of making my own acrylic (or polyresin, I guess? What's the difference?) and need a place to start. Here are my questions:

What's the process?

Do I need an oven, or is it a lower-temperature process?

What do I use to color the resin/acrylic?

What are the best resins/acrylics to use, and where can I find them?

How would I make a mold in order to get the 1" x 1" x 5"-6" blanks that I want?

Any information that you guys have would be really helpful.

Cheers,

Adam