Air bubbles around snake skins

[termitedave]

First I would like to say WOW !! This site is Amazing! There is so much info. I have been playing around with casting snake skin pens. Like in an earlier post I have read every artical I could find Alot from this site. I bought a ultra sonic cleaner one thing I have been doing is put the resin in and stiring it with the catyalist in it. Now I see you should just put the resin in raw. I did one cobra skin with good luck. but with the rattle snake not good so far. I keep getting air bubble all around the length of the tube like it's not bonding. I see were you guys talk abot putting CA glue on the skin outside? to seal it and is it thin or med. I bought some seal they use to keep the color on fishing rod thread to use as a sealer will this help with the air bubbles? Thank You for any info David Seaba!!

 

[its_virgil]

Raw or catalyzed resin in the ultrasonic cleaner: it really doesn't matter which. I always mention using raw resin because the warmed resin from the cleaner can start to gel quicker than when not warmed. If you get busy and forget the resin in the cleaner then you will find it cured, or at least grape jelly like in the container and then it is not useable. Otherwise, either way will work. You will have more working time when the MEKP is added after.

Be sure the scales are removed so air is not trapped under them. I also think that air will escape from the plugged ends if a tight seal is not obtained with the plugs used. The air in the tubes will expand with the heat created during curing. If the air escapes it can get trapped and end up on the skin.

I get air (occasionally and sometimes often)bubbles when I use the cleaner and heat, when I use resin straight from the can, if I use both vacuum and pressure, if I coat the skin with CA or if I don't, if I wear red sox or blue, say a precasting prayer or not....

I personally think using a layer of CA helps. I use med. and let it cure for a couple of days. I also try to wrangle the bubbles as much as I can and once the resin starts to get thick I leave it alone. Not all skins cast the same. That is why I stick with one species. Don't give up...
Happy casting,
Do a good turn daily!
Don

First I would like to say WOW !! This site is Amazing! There is so much info. I have been playing around with casting snake skin pens. Like in an earlier post I have read every artical I could find Alot from this site. I bought a ultra sonic cleaner one thing I have been doing is put the resin in and stiring it with the catyalist in it. Now I see you should just put the resin in raw. I did one cobra skin with good luck. but with the rattle snake not good so far. I keep getting air bubble all around the length of the tube like it's not bonding. I see were you guys talk abot putting CA glue on the skin outside? to seal it and is it thin or med. I bought some seal they use to keep the color on fishing rod thread to use as a sealer will this help with the air bubbles? Thank You for any info David Seaba!!

 

[termitedave]

Thank You Don!!!