A question for you casters

[bobleibo]

I have never done any casting so I thought this would be a good place to get some advice where to start.

Along with pens, I do a lot of flat work that often includes various inlay work that can range anywhere from 2"-3" up to the size of a glass panel in a cabinet door. After seeing the amazing things some of you have done with clear and various opaque resin casting, I thought it might be fun to learn how to cast and incorporate that into some of my work.

Here is my question(s)...
1) Is the end result of casting sturdy enough to use in a larger form maybe 12" x 24" as a door panel?
2) I've heard terms like resin, alumilite, poly, etc.. Are there any advantages of one over the other for the usage I'm looking for?

I figure once I get going, I can learn more about things like adding colors and swirls and other fun stuff and hoped I could get some good info on the best place to start or if it's even feasible.

Thanks in advance for your help!
Bob

 

[plantman]

Bob; If you want to know more about casting larger pieces, or even pens, go to Smooth-On.com. They have everything you will need or ever want, plus free videos on any and all casting materials and methods. They will also send you a free catalog. There are also many fine articals in the library on this site. Almost everyone has a differant method of getting the results they want. There is no one method that suits everyone. Jim S

 

[Displaced Canadian]

Just couldn't start simple could you.

 

[Jim Burr]

Keep in mind Bob...most of what we do is small...5"x5" most of the time if not smaller. I find your question interesting...what about stained glass in PR or Alumilite? Wagon wheel window panels on 6 panel doors? I like the idea!!

 

[plantman]

Bob; This isn't casting but it might be something you may want to look into for your woodworking projects. The panel in the photo is a piece of plate glass over my french doors. It is about 3 X 6 feet. I used a product called Gallery Glass, made by Plaid Enterprizes. It's a translucent paint that looks and feels like stained glass. Easy to apply and can be swirlled or blended in any color or pattern you want. Nice thing is if you get tired of it, you can peal it off, reuse it someplace else, or start over. I have used this for glass cabinet doors in kitchens and gun cabinets, holiday decorrations in mirrors, and to make stained glass panels in windows. Can usualy be found in Hobby Lobby, Michale's, or any hobby or craft shop. Just an idea !! Jim S

 

[bobleibo]

Great ideas. Does anyone know if I make a panel that is pretty big, is flexing a problem, maybe to the point of it cracking?
Thanks

 

[low_48]

Polyester resin is very brittle. Alumilite is less brittle. Alumilite is cast under pressure for pen work to minimize bubbles. For your panels, that's one heck of a pressure vessel.