Equip. Reccomendation 4 Clear Casting

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
6

65GTMustang

Member
Joined
Mar 3, 2010
Messages
547
Location
Taylors, South Carolina
I am entering the world of casting.
I have purchased my gallon of Silmar 41
And some really great mold molds from a fellow member - I won't mention who but his initials is Fred....
Seriously Thank you Fred for all of the time and advice you have shared with me.
My HF does not stock this Ultrasonic cleaner I have heard about.
I have been looking on ebay for something but not real sure what specs I need to make sure the unit has.
I was in AC Moore (local art/craft store)
They have a "Chocolate Melting Pot" for about $40
Being a Professional Chef before Disability I can tell anything about melting chocolate you need to know - What I need to know is will the same type equipment work for improving results in clear casting.

"Chocolate Melting 101 - Facts according to Chef Kevin"
In order to melt chocolate, you must expose it to indirect heat. The heat turns the solid into a liquid form, in much the same way as a stick of butter liquefies under heat. To melt chocolate, a temperature of 90°F (about 32.2°C) is required, though the temperature can be allowed to rise between 104 and 113°F (about 40 and 45°C) in most cases.

Based on those criteria - will a chocolate melter work?

If not and you know of a specific type piece of equipment that you recommend with a source to purchase it - or - have time to check out a quick search on eBay for a Ultrasonic cleaner and can pick out a listing or two I would very much appreciate the advice.

I will trade cooking secrets / recipes or perhaps even make my one and only Cook Book written available.

Thanks for your time and help.

Kevin
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Kevin:
Harbor Freight has the one I use in stock. The stores just don't "know" they have this model.

It is currently on sale and in stock at the HF online. Here is the link. The heat feature really IS worth the few extra dollars.

http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html

Additionally, if you reload or make cartridge pens, this cleaner does wonders with brass casings...Just add equal parts simple green and water.
 
Thank you...
Now I jsut need to learn how to cast...LOL
This may be a really dumb question - But do you simple pour teh Silmar 41 into the stainless steel well or do you keep it in something else and allow and indirect heat work - As if the Silmar was in a glass jar in a water bath.
Does that make sense?
Thanks for the heads up an dealing with my dumb questions...lol
Kevin
 
I have found that recycle code 5 cups work very nicely for holding pr resin for the ultrasonic. Rubbermaid, Tupperware, many yogurt and margarine cups, etc are code 5, so we hold those out of the recycle bin.

Additionally, at one point Sam's Club offered big packages of code 5 picnic cups for not much money. If you can find those, they are ideal.
 
Additionally, Grub32 ( a member here) has an excellent YouTube casting video. Even though he does not use the ultrasonic cleaner or warm resin, Grub presents an excellent beginning casting video.

Additionally, I found the information at redriverpens.com (Don Ward, AKA it's_Virgil) has excellent information.

The IAP Library article on "bubble free casting" (also, Don Ward) is excellent.
I would be happy to include the links, but I am posting via cell phone.
 
Do you all think I can use any source to heat my water to 130 - 140?
I have not even opened my gallon of Silmar 41 yet....Does this need to be a ventilated area - will my wife be bothered by a smell if I did this in the kitchen...lol
 
65GTMustang said:
Do you all think I can use any source to heat my water to 130 - 140?
I have not even opened my gallon of Silmar 41 yet....Does this need to be a ventilated area - will my wife be bothered by a smell if I did this in the kitchen...lol
Click to expand...

Most regular old hot water heaters produce tap water that is about 125-130 degrees. So, you could just use hot tap water.

Yes, you should open your s41 in a well ventilated area (outside is better, now that the weather is better here).

If you do this in the KITCHEN, be prepared to rename yourself "Defendent" and name your wife "Plaintiff". IMHO, S41 should NEVER come near the kitchen! DAMHIKT:)
 
When I did my casting, I used HOT tap water, let the resin sit for about 10 min. mixed in the MKEP then poured into a resin saver mold. Once I did the pour, I used a 3 prong vibrating muscle massager to get the bubbles out. Only used this for about 2 minutes, that way the resin would smooth. I found it worked quite well for single pen casting...bulk casting would be a pain!
 
I sometimes cast in layers. I do not recall (on the forum here) any one else commenting on casting in layers. Pour a base layer, then a middle layer, and finally the top layer. It works great with clear casting but may not work when casing colors, swirls and other mixes because of the continuity of the patterns. The tube must be weighted so it doesn't float but can be moved around for position when the middle layer is poured. Bubble control can still be used along with the heat and ultrasonics. I have not tried it with the resin saver type of molds. I have used it with the molds with slots and other open type molds. I know that Barry Gross does his casting in layers. He has several articles in issues of Woodturning Design magazine. Does anyone else use layer casting? Maybe we should start a discussion on casting in layers.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
Either both of you better have respriators, well good luck & please read the msds sheet. this stuff is highly flameable.KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE!!!!
I don't know why you need to heat it up to that hight temp 120-130???
I been casting resin for a year now, i live in northern Illinois where our outdoor temp is 10-15 degree i keep my resin temp at 68-70 degrees in the basement, now i been kick out of the basement for casting for now cuz no ventalation there so im in the garage now so just keep your resin at 68-75 degrees . I use 4 drops of hardner per 1-oz.of resin mix together for 2 mins. then pour slowly in one corner of the mold, I have never had more then a few bubble's come up to the surface, which was no problem. Again pour slowly and stay in one corner when pouring. Keep fire away from resin and don't pour in the home that way you won't be in the dog house LOL !!! good luck in casting it's a lot of fun by the way Fred molds are fun to use & also check out ThePenWizard for his molds there fun too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom