casting bottle stoppers

[bitshird]

I need 1 3/4 inch PVC pipe, this was done with 1-1/2 and the Masonic emblem is a sterling piece I cast, I need to find the trick to casting the top layer, I cast the blue base, than added about 1/8th in clear, placed it in my vacuum bell jar for 15 min, then in the toaster oven for 20 min, then placed the silver on the firm but sticky clear layer then filled the pipe/mold to the top vacuumed it , but not quite enough, I have some very tiny air bubbles at the separation line right on the outside edge, fortunately they don't show unless you look for them, mostly what's showing is glare from my less than perfect lighting system [B)][B)][B)][B)][B)][B)]

 

[Glass Scratcher]

Originally posted by bitshird
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I need 1 3/4 inch PVC pipe, this was done with 1-1/2...

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Have you looked at the larger amber pill bottles from your local pharmacy? They are slightly tapered and made of polypropylene. They even have a dimple in the bottom to center your cast for drilling.

 

[sbell111]

Originally posted by Glass Scratcher

Originally posted by bitshird
Snip

I need 1 3/4 inch PVC pipe, this was done with 1-1/2...

Snip

Have you looked at the larger amber pill bottles from your local pharmacy? They are slightly tapered and made of polypropylene. They even have a dimple in the bottom to center your cast for drilling.

Will they release easily, or do you have to break the pill bottle?

 

[Glass Scratcher]

I'll give you a difinitive answer in a few hours. But on the observation side, they are made from Polypropylene and are tapered. PP is more "slippery" than PVC. If in doubt there's always a mold release.

Back in a few.

 

[jttheclockman]

They release very easily. The top layer is actually done only minutes after the bottom has enough time to support the medal. You can actually do it in 3 layers and have the medal look like it is suspended. Of course Ed Davidson is the expert on those things.

 

[Glass Scratcher]

Originally posted by sbell111
Will they release easily, or do you have to break the pill bottle?

Sorry I fell asleep early and forgot I had this in the pot.

Just give the bottom a press, if you are in a hurry- maybe just a shot of air on very low, a jiggle a wiggle and out she comes.

Of course if you do have to cut one up you can always ask for some from the pharmacist, they don't mind. If you really want to buy them, you can get a box or a gross for around $30 plus shipping.

 

[bitshird]

Originally posted by Glass Scratcher

I'll give you a difinitive answer in a few hours. But on the observation side, they are made from Polypropylene and are tapered. PP is more "slippery" than PVC. If in doubt there's always a mold release.

Back in a few.

Thats what I did, I cast the blue pearls first on the bottom waited about 45 min then poured a 1/4 layer of clear, with an infinitesimally minuet of macro pearl, waited about 30 min. until the 1/4 in. clear layer would support the sterling emblem then filled it to the top. The friend I made it for thought was great and thinks he can sell a slew of them for me, I was going to farm the casting out, but since I've had reasonable luck on pen blanks both in Gadgets mold and using PVC. I figured if I screw up, I can burn the PR off the emblem or just cast another emblem, I used to cast charms for a lot of big schools, brain ticking, ticking, BOOM just need to match colors, Hello; United Composits?? I'm unfortunatly about as demented as Karl Kuehn