New Pen Blanks Using 3M Fiberglass Resin

[franco32]

Here is my first batch of blanks made from sawdust and 3M Bondo Fiberglass Resin Stage 2. They turned out pretty decent. next step will be to see how well they turn and polish. It did mix up a little umber but that"s fine with the color of my saw dust. One batch I mixed PearlX Interference Blue in with the sawdust and resin and they came out a nice blue. We will see tomorrow what they turn out like!!! And to edit this post...I didn't do these under vacuum if that will help anyone out looking to do this without a vac chamber.

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[luckyscroller788]

I will anxiously wait for your update as I am just going to get into casting myself.

 

[magpens]

Thanks for posting. . Useful info for potentially getting into casting myself.

What did you use as molds ? . PVC pipe ? . Need a release agent ?

 

[franco32]

I used pvc pipe with no mold release. Just put a little piece of duct tape over the bottom to seal. The blanks popped right out after they cured. I used 3/4 inch pipe 5 1/2 inches long so I wouldn't waste so much resin turning them. Used aprox 2 onces of resin per tube.

 

[franco32]

Here is one of the blue turning/saw dust blanks finished. Interesting and different.

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[thewishman]

Looks like a successful experiment.

 

[magpens]

That is very attractive, Gary !!!!!