TN_Eric
Member
Equipment:
California Air Tools pressure pot, 2-1/5 gal
Alumilite Clear Slow, 2 lb kit
Temp prior to colors, 105 after mixing
Temp after colors, 104 after mixing
pot time, 5-1/2 hrs at 50psi
HDPE Block Mold with Stoner mold release applied, mold rack with top cover to deflect air. Bottom plate in pot and pot leveled out.
Finished cast sat over night before cutting. The block wasn't at 3/4 inch thick as I had wanted because my mix cups weren't large enough. After I cut 2 sticks off and trimmed the ends to 5 inches they were good enough for a slimline blank. I cut 2 out of the blank for slimline pen tubes, drilled, and one tube I painted white (still setting up), the other was just the brass.
Turned the brass one to profile, cut really smooth and finished good with CA. 400, then 600 grit dry sand, 0000 steel wool, then wet sanded with micro mesh.
Gluboost CA orange, then blue bottle each 5 coats, and wet sanded again, then polish.
When I saw the "bubbles"? on top in the center I was worried but there were no bubbles I could see in any of the blanks. I have a half bottle left of the alumilite
and will do another cast just clear and see if it happens again.
I did forget to use a pop stick to draw lines thought the cast before going in the pot but will make a checklist next time.
California Air Tools pressure pot, 2-1/5 gal
Alumilite Clear Slow, 2 lb kit
Temp prior to colors, 105 after mixing
Temp after colors, 104 after mixing
pot time, 5-1/2 hrs at 50psi
HDPE Block Mold with Stoner mold release applied, mold rack with top cover to deflect air. Bottom plate in pot and pot leveled out.
Finished cast sat over night before cutting. The block wasn't at 3/4 inch thick as I had wanted because my mix cups weren't large enough. After I cut 2 sticks off and trimmed the ends to 5 inches they were good enough for a slimline blank. I cut 2 out of the blank for slimline pen tubes, drilled, and one tube I painted white (still setting up), the other was just the brass.
Turned the brass one to profile, cut really smooth and finished good with CA. 400, then 600 grit dry sand, 0000 steel wool, then wet sanded with micro mesh.
Gluboost CA orange, then blue bottle each 5 coats, and wet sanded again, then polish.
When I saw the "bubbles"? on top in the center I was worried but there were no bubbles I could see in any of the blanks. I have a half bottle left of the alumilite
and will do another cast just clear and see if it happens again.
I did forget to use a pop stick to draw lines thought the cast before going in the pot but will make a checklist next time.
