Casting Question

[Jmhoff10500]

I'm starting to get into casting my own blanks. Maybe i missed it while reading through the forums and library, but I'm confused about the difference between vacuum and pressure tanks. What is the purpose for having them? I know it is to eliminate bubbles, but do you have to have one of each, or just a pressure tank?
My guess is that the vacuum pulls the air out of the resin, and the pressure pushes the resin it into the wood. I don't want to spend a couple hundred dollars based on a guess...

 

[NewLondon88]

Same tank. You use a pump for vacuum and a compressor for pressure.

What most people here have been using for a tank is a paint pot.
Change a few fittings and you're in business.

 

[PTownSubbie]

But before you go and spend money on a pressure pot, I recommend you read the No Bubbles Casting from the library. If you are casting just solid blanks, you can likely do without the cost.....

http://content.penturners.org/articles/2009/casting_bubble_free.pdf

 

[Jmhoff10500]

Which one removes the bubbles from the resin? i want to do WW blanks and stuff like that, would i need both of them?

 

[BigguyZ]

I think for WW, all people reccomend is asmuch pressure as you can output to the pot safely.

Also, I personally recommend warming the resin pior to casting. Some people use the heaters on their ultrasonic cleaners to do this. Personally, I just use a bucket and hot water from the tap. But the warmed resin flows much better and will get into the crevases more.

Travis

 

[Jmhoff10500]

Awesome, thanks!!!

I think for WW, all people reccomend is asmuch pressure as you can output to the pot safely.

Also, I personally recommend warming the resin pior to casting. Some people use the heaters on their ultrasonic cleaners to do this. Personally, I just use a bucket and hot water from the tap. But the warmed resin flows much better and will get into the crevases more.

Travis

 

[Glass Scratcher]

One of the caveats to all the casting "how tos" each advisor needs to include the resin they are using. Different resins have different properties.

resins in use:
Polyester Resins...
Cast n' Craft,
Silmar 40 & 41,
Polylight,
Cooks Composites swing resins

Polyurethanes from...
Alumilite,
Smooth-on,
Polytech,
Goldenwest,
and the list goes on