DKF
Member
I would like to try my hand at casting some black alumilite. Two questions....where to buy a small batch and do you have to use a pressure pot of some kind (or are you guaranteed bubbles)? Thanks.........
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Alumilite....
- Thread starter DKF
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Texatdurango
Member
The following is based on experiments done by me so take it for what it's worth.
I was having problems with the thick black die not mixing well with the clear alumilite so I ordered some "Regular" and "RC3" alumilite to try out. One came in black, the other they added the black die for me so both were black resins.
I made quite a few test batches both without pressure and with pressure from 40psi to 70psi and here is what I found.......
Bottom line is that all three of the resins mentioned do require casting under pressure else you will have bubbles inside the blanks and Alumilite does sell 16oz, 28oz and 32oz kits so you don't have to buy gallon jugs to experiment with.
I use a cheap Harbor Freight pressure pot, use the crystal clear with thinned black die and cast at 40psi. All other Alumilite colors do not require thinning.
Here is a pen I made today using clear alumilite with the black die............http://www.penturners.org/forum/f13/my-black-silver-pen-103279/
I was having problems with the thick black die not mixing well with the clear alumilite so I ordered some "Regular" and "RC3" alumilite to try out. One came in black, the other they added the black die for me so both were black resins.
I made quite a few test batches both without pressure and with pressure from 40psi to 70psi and here is what I found.......
- Without a pressure pot both the regular black and RC3 black had thousands of tiny air bubbles inside so neither were suitable for casting a blank then turning it down.
- Under 40psi in a pressure pot, both the regular black and RC3 black produced nice blanks with no air bubbles.
- Using the crystal clear with black die thinned with "part A" produced the best results. The black was a deeper, richer, glossier black than either the regular or RC3 resins.
Bottom line is that all three of the resins mentioned do require casting under pressure else you will have bubbles inside the blanks and Alumilite does sell 16oz, 28oz and 32oz kits so you don't have to buy gallon jugs to experiment with.
I use a cheap Harbor Freight pressure pot, use the crystal clear with thinned black die and cast at 40psi. All other Alumilite colors do not require thinning.
Here is a pen I made today using clear alumilite with the black die............http://www.penturners.org/forum/f13/my-black-silver-pen-103279/
Last edited:
DKF
Member
The following is based on experiments done by me so take it for what it's worth.
I was having problems with the thick black die not mixing well with the clear alumilite so I ordered some "Regular" and "RC3" alumilite to try out. One came in black, the other they added the black die for me so both were black resins.
I made quite a few test batches both without pressure and with pressure from 40psi to 70psi and here is what I found.......
Bottom line is that all three of the resins mentioned do require casting under pressure else you will have bubbles inside the blanks and Alumilite does sell 16oz, 28oz and 32oz kits so you don't have to buy gallon jugs to experiment with.
- Without a pressure pot both the regular black and RC3 black had thousands of tiny air bubbles inside so neither were suitable for casting a blank then turning it down.
- Under 40psi in a pressure pot, both the regular black and RC3 black produced nice blanks with no air bubbles.
- Using the crystal clear with black die thinned with "part A" produced the best results. The black was a deeper, richer, glossier black than either the regular or RC3 resins.
I use a cheap Harbor Freight pressure pot, use the crystal clear with thinned black die and cast at 40psi. All other Alumilite colors do not require thinning.
Here is a pen I made today using clear alumilite with the black die............http://www.penturners.org/forum/f13/my-black-silver-pen-103279/
Thank you George for chiming in....was hoping you might. Will do and one other question, where do you purchase your supplies? Oh, and btw, beautiful pen...as soon as I get the black down, I will try other colors.
Last edited:
Texatdurango
Member
......
Thank you George for chiming in....was hoping you might. Will do and one other question, where do you purchase your supplies? Oh, and btw, beautiful pen...as soon as I get the black down, I will try other colors.
I order directly from Alumilite.... Alumilite - Products - Casting Resins