Casting Dialing in my spiral resin pen blanks

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Leonardo

Leonardo

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Jun 3, 2025
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Nashville, IN
For the past year I have been working on developing my method of casting organic spiral pen blanks. I had figured out how to do a pattern I call the galactic spiral a while back, and while I'm really happy with those blanks, it's often hard to see what is actually going on inside the blank, as the outside appears streaked or spikey, and only once turned is the spiral pattern revealed.

Recently I developed a new variation that shows the spiral clearly on the surface of the blank as well. The resin pattern is a bit different than the galactic spiral, not necessarily better or worse, just different, when it comes to the turned blank, however I am quite happy with the results I have been getting in this new method. Unfortunately, these are a bit harder to pull off as I really have to thread the needle on temperature and timing, so I can usually only get one or two per pour, with the rest of the blanks being my original spiral pattern. They all require being poured pretty hot, so I can only get around 5-6 per batch with Alumilite resin. I am still experimenting with Thermoset, which has a longer open time than Alumilite, however while it has great internal color separation, I don't get the same surface clarity.

Here are a couple of videos showing the new spiral blanks, as still photos don't quite demonstrate the effect fully. I haven't settled on a name for this pattern, and have been calling them wild spirals, but that is subject to change.

Let me know what you think!

Thanks for looking!

-Leo


 
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Looking good!

Are you willing to sacrifice the two blanks from these videos? If you turn them down to approximate pen barrel dimensions and shoot similar videos to show how they look raw and turned, I think it will make a great demonstration of what can be expected from the blanks.
 
duncsuss said:
Looking good!

Are you willing to sacrifice the two blanks from these videos? If you turn them down to approximate pen barrel dimensions and shoot similar videos to show how they look raw and turned, I think it will make a great demonstration of what can be expected from the blanks.
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Thanks! The second one I actually gifted to the pen rep I am working with for some upcoming collabs and is currently in Italy being turned into a one-off pen, along with the other blanks I sent, so I'm hoping to see that one soon.

The second one I am planning to turn unless someone wants to snag it from me on Instagram or Facebook. However I do have examples of turned spiral blanks from both myself and other makers. I will be sure to post a video of one of these new variants once I turn one! Edit to add: I suspect these ones should look very similar to the surface based on how I pour them. It's a fairly similar process to the original spiral and I do know that there wont be any drastic changes to the patterning. The major difference is that there is less surface streaking.

Here are a bunch, sorry for Instagram links as most are from other makers:







 
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wade45 said:
I have to say that the blanks you made me look amazing. When I get back to the shop it's next in line.
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Thanks Wade! Glad you liked them! I turned a thermoset blank last night that didn't look as interesting on the outside but it turned down really well. Working on getting some new videos posted.
 
Still need to turn alumilite but here is a Thermoset blank poured in a similar way. Results are interesting. I was a bit underwhelmed by the blank surface pattern versus alumilite, but I am pretty happy with the interior so far!



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Here's a fresh batch of galactic spiral blanks (the original spiral pattern) in the Uzumaki colorway. These ones also glow in the dark and will put up another video soon (recorded this during the day).

 
This evening's turning was working on a commissioned calligraphy pen holder from the Venus resin, one of the galactic spiral blanks. This is the top section of the second blank from the left. In this colorway it is easier to see the internal spiral behind the surface streaking.


VENUS.jpg


 
Hidyho, Leo! Mark Koster here (aka, Hobble Creek Craftsman)!

It looks like you're getting things dialed in! Beautiful spiral patterns are tough to master and definitely not for the faint of heart. Exothermic heating poses some hairy obstacles to overcome, with mere seconds separating a successful pour from failure. ...Ask me how I know😬. Your blanks are beautiful and congratulations are in order for catching the attention of an overseas manufacturer! That's a Big-Dot-Deal!!👏
 
Marko50 said:
Hidyho, Leo! Mark Koster here (aka, Hobble Creek Craftsman)!

It looks like you're getting things dialed in! Beautiful spiral patterns are tough to master and definitely not for the faint of heart. Exothermic heating poses some hairy obstacles to overcome, with mere seconds separating a successful pour from failure. ...Ask me how I know😬. Your blanks are beautiful and congratulations are in order for catching the attention of an overseas manufacturer! That's a Big-Dot-Deal!!👏
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Thanks Mark! How do you know? JK JK! That means a lot coming from you!

It is indeed a constant challenge to thread the needle on the thermal window.

Excited to share more about the upcoming collabs when I can.

For anyone else reading this, I was blown away by Mark's blanks when I first learned of them last year, and his work has set the bar that I have aspired to reach in my own blanks. He's also been super helpful and I have greatly appreciated the tips and advice he graciously shared with me while I was beginning my casting journey.

If you haven't tried any of his blanks, you definitely should!
 
Here is one more set from 4th of July restocks.

The first is one of my segmented Spiral Blanks that has a candy cane or barber pole like appearance. The shimmery grey infill in this one is translucent, though it's not apparent in this video.

The second and third blanks were made seconds apart, and it's pretty fascinating how much the temperature change alters the look of the blank in that window. These are also in Thermoset which looks a bit different than Alumilite as I mentioned above. The last three are also thermoset, and the middle one I alternated the spiral to make a zig zag.

 
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