A Loofah Casting

[JD Combs Sr]

Saw this at the Kroger store and wondered how it would look cast in resin.


Took it to the band-saw and cut it up into as many ~3/4 x 3/4" lengths as I could get(4-far right in pic). bunched up 3 of the cuttings from the group 2nd from right to make a 5th ~3/4 x 3/4" length and fitted it all in to my 5 section mold. Filled the mold with purple Alumilite, Put the mold into my pressure pot and waited. (there is an oops here):biggrin:


The results: (I think it kind of looks like purple marble)


THE OOPS: Had a little difficulty with the pen, I forgot to turn on the pressure to the pot.:redface:
Had several little air pockets to fill with CA before it was done.:redface:

C&C appreciated.

 

[jbswearingen]

I don't like Slim Line style pens, but I love the blank. Purple is a favorite color of mine.

 

[JD Combs Sr]

I don't like Slim Line style pens, but I love the blank. Purple is a favorite color of mine.

SLs aren't a favorite of mine either but they are cheap and useful for prototype blank tryouts. This one happens to be CSUSA's Beaded pen but it is still a slimline style, the beads and the different clip can't change it that much. The blank was the fifth one in my mold made up of the pieces parts. Just wanted something to try the combo out with and on. With all the air bubbles in the blanks they all may end-up on cheaper pens.

 

[RMayoIII]

very interesting cast. I'll bet people will really like if it's for sale.

 

[JD Combs Sr]

very interesting cast. I'll bet people will really like if it's for sale.

Thanks Robert. Although this particular one, made from bits and pieces, will become a carry pen the remaining blanks will go into my for sale inventory.

 

[toyotaman]

I think it's a great job on the casting. The pen turned out very well.

 

[triw51]

ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGG You stole my idea, I have a friend who grows these and I was going to cast some to try, but I put them off doing other things and have not gotton around to it yet. Nice job thoes are good looking blanks

 

[Akula]

Heat up your resin where it flows like water and it works great (I have not had to use pressure because the open areas are so large)...I've done a lot of them and the natural sponges make interesting castings.

 

[sbell111]

We've done lots of loofa pens. They sell fairly well, depending on the resin color.

 

[healeydays]

We've done lots of loofa pens. They sell fairly well, depending on the resin color.

I've found the black, vibrant red and a royal blue do the best. What have you seen for colors?

 

[sbell111]

We've done lots of loofa pens. They sell fairly well, depending on the resin color.

I've found the black, vibrant red and a royal blue do the best. What have you seen for colors?

Mostly, darker rather than lighter colors to show the material contrast. Your Healey's green would likely do well. Opaque or barely translucent do better than something that shows more depth.

 

[healeydays]

You know, I haven't cast anything that color yet. Probably about time.