Casting......

[JustInside]

I need some help in casting things in Alumilte, things like scraps of wood, Coffee beans and other items? I find that they either float of sink to the bottom. and when my son tries turning them they fall apart.

Any advise would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

 

[Modelmaker]

Hi Paul,
are you casting under pressure? do you put anything over the top of the mold to help keep things from floating?

 

[JustInside]

I am using a pressure pot. Do I need to drill holes in the plastic that goes on top?
Any idea on the sinkers?

Cheers
Paul

 

[gketell]

if you seal off the opening 100% with whatever you are putting on top, then yes you need holes. But if you are only sealing 90%, no, no holes are required.

I've used tongue depressors lengthwise over the pen blank and they work very well for most stuff. My friend just lays his molds on top of each other in a cross pattern.

Basically you just need a little weight that has somewhere the pressure/vacuum can get in. Anything will do. The nice thing about tongue depressors is that they saw/turn off easily. But if you put wax paper underneath, you won't even need to do that.

GK