alumilite in pvc

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William Menard

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Aug 21, 2013
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317
Location
Lafayette, Louisiana
everything I'm reading tells me that casting alumilite blanks in pvc is not good because the blanks don't come out. Does mold release help or what method is used to cast alumilite in pvc tubes.
 
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William, I concur with Ladycop. Not a problem. You can use mold release if you want to take that extra step, but it's not necessary.
 
I never worked much with Alumilite, (just a little in the beginning didn't work for my use)

But P.R. shrinks when cured that's why it pops rite out...


Alumilite dose not shrink...I just wish they could have formulated it with more open time...I think it has more open time now then a few years ago when I needed it...
.
 
I use PVC pipes for casting Alumilite. I've used it two ways, I've split the PVC on one side then clamped the gap shut. This works, and it's easy to get the blanks out.

I've also cast without splitting the PVC and that works just fine too, but after a few casts they get harder to tap out because the mold release that the PVC pipe came with is wearing out. When they start to stick I just use Vaseline or spray them with mold release, then castings come out easier again.

Happy turning
Tom
 
I tried it today for the first time (twice). The first time I simply used Pam cooking spray. Worked great, a few taps with a dowel and hammer released them freely! Second attempt was to use Johnson's paste wax. Not so good....had to turn the PVC off the Alumilite. So next, I'll go back to the Pam and use a disposable foam brush to thoroughly coat the tubes. Still experimenting, but glad to see that it is very possible to cast cylindrical blanks in Alumilite with PVC.

Thanks for busting the myth!
 
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