4 Alumilite failures

[jeweler53]

I won a small package of Alumilite in the Birthday Bash. I have poured it on 4 occasions.
On #1 I tried to do a worthless wood blank. It foamed. Maybe the wood was not dry enough. I also used the "wrong" dye. I also added some Pearl Ex. Maybe it has moisture in it.
On #2 I made sure that I used the correct dye and that the wood was dry (It was baked at 250 f. for 4 hours). It foamed. I assumed that it was the Pearl Ex powder.
On #3 I tried to do a "swirl" and waited to long, so this does not really count. I did use the same powder (interference blue). It is much more opaque than I expected, but has a nice "flash"
On #4 I stabilized the WW with Cactus Juice, baked it for 2 hours at 200 f. and poured with only the Pearl Ex. (no colorant at all) It foamed.

Now the remaining part "B" is very thick and syrupy. Is it still good?

I am very frustrated. I have purchased a larger supply of Alumilite and Cactus Juice. I have yet to even come close to success.

I have used the white without any Pearlex, just a touch of blue dye and it came out beautiful.

(Curtis. Did you get my email?)

Dick

 

[Brooks803]

Are you using a pressure pot? Reason why i ask is bc you might have water in your air line causing the bad casts.

 

[jeweler53]

Yes. For stabilizing I use -27" Hg. for casting 65 p.s.i.

The line is dry. There was a little water in the compressor tank, which I have now drained. Do I need to use an in line dryer? The relative humidity here now is 86%. I have always gotten condensation in the air compressor.

 

[wolftat]

Yes. For stabilizing I use -27" Hg. for casting 65 p.s.i.

The line is dry. There was a little water in the compressor tank, which I have now drained. Do I need to use an in line dryer? The relative humidity here now is 86%. I have always gotten condensation in the air compressor.

It almost sounds like the humidity is too high for the alumilite and is picking up moisture while being mixed. You may need to work with it in an air conditioned room or in an area with a dehumidifier.

 

[Buzzzz4]

I spoke with Alumilite today. Apparently the B side is gelling which is why they are on temporary hold to sell more. She stated you can heat up the B side in a warm water bath, careful not to get any water in it. The B side is just fine for use if you can get it to be liquid again.

 

[MesquiteMan]

(Curtis. Did you get my email?)

Dick

Dick, I did not see your e-mail. Sorry about that. It may have been trapped as spam or I may have overlooked it. The week before last, I was busting butt to try to get work done so I could go on vacation and I may have missed it. Sorry about that.

Give me a call sometime and we can talk through your Alumilite issues and figure out what is going on. I never have any foaming issues at all. The stabilizing resin is NOT causing the foaming so it has to be something else. My number is on the contact page of my website if you need it.