Please help with instructions

[sandking]

I've done a search and can't seem to find a detailed way of casting inbedded objects with the HF pressure pot. I have no idea what needs to be done to the pot or what materials to use for this setup.

This is what I'd like to do.

As wedding favors I will be turning wine bottle stoppers. I plan on using a fostner bit to drill out the end of the stopper so that I can epoxy a medallion with our names and wedding date. I would like to cast a clear resin over the medallion so that when I turn it it will be under the resin.

1) What materials do I need for the clear resin?
2) What do I need to do to the pressure pot to get this to work?
3) What are the steps in casting something like this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Phillip]

I have been using the clear Polyester casting resin from US Composits. It runs about $40.00 a gallon with the MEK catylist and delivery. I have cast several pen blanks without any bubbles. Using a vac/pressure pot will probably be a better way to go. Here is a link to the resin. I hope this helps.
http://www.shopmaninc.com/resins.html

 

[JimGo]

You can also try http://www.mrfiberglass.com and http://www.artstuf.com for PR.

Joe, I don't mean to be a pain, but if you read the articles in the IAP library and on the Pen Maker's Guild site, and then spend a little time searching the forums (especially the archives) you'll learn everything you need to know and then some.

Some good search topics: ultrasound, pressure pot, polyester resin, embedded, snake skin

 

[its_virgil]

There is an article on the IAP homepage for casting embedded snake skins. Substitute other material and it works the same. Take a look and if you need more info then email or PM me.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

 

[sandking]

I apologize. Fangar sent me to the homepage before and I went to the library instead. The resin articles I found there didn't have pressure pot instructions.

Thanks

 

[Fritz]

Joe,
I use Alumilite "water clear" for casting with the Harbor Freight pressure pot and it works great. It's fast and easy with very little odor. You can check them out at http://www.alumilite.com/. You can use some of the powdered dyes but will need to use Alumilites liquid dyes for coloring. I use 50 psi in the pressure pot for about 15 minutes and coat my molds with Vaselineâ"¢.
Good luck,

John

 

[Fred]

Try reading this "How To" article from Alumilite. The process should be the same for other manufacturer's casting materials.

http://www.alumilite.com/index.php?page=show_how&id=74

Fred

 

[Alumilite]

Hello all,

One thing I would suggest reiterating is to be careful of any moisture that might be in the object you would like to embed. The item needs to be completely dry. Moisture typically creates havic in many resins, especially urethanes. The havic I'm referring to is air bubbles. The moisture will react with the resin while it is curing to create carbon dioxide molecules which look like a mass of champagne sized air bubbles around the embedded object. Pressure will not even help combat the moisture. That is also the reason you need to make sure to keep you caps on the containers to preserve the shelf life of your materials. Most of the time you will never realize your materials have absorbed moisture until you react the two components and witness the issue.

Mike
Alumilite

 

[gketell]

hmmmmmmm can someone make a "champagne" pen? Polished tubes, little yellow tint, spritz of water.... hmmmmm

GK