casting question

[penmaker1967]

hi guys i am thinking about trying my hand at some casting. where would u recommend that i get the supplies from i saw in penn state that they have a casting kit is this something that i should look at or go a different route. thanks for the help

 

[renowb]

I believe Woodnwhimsies has the kit cheaper.

 

[kevrob]

Are you casting something in clear resin or going to simply color the resin and mix it?

If you are coloring it - I am no expert, but personally, I would just go to Hobby Lobby or Michael's and purchase the PR. Find a 40% off coupon for the PR and save some money. All you really need is container to hold it while it sets (I used a glad sandwich container for my first few pours), a container to mix it in, a dye or coloring agent (also get a Michaels/Hobby Lobby), a way to stir it, and don't forget the MEKP - you have to buy it at both of those places I believe, and gloves. While a kit is easy to order and convenient, I never feel I get a good deal in kits most of the time - Plus I would rather throw my mixing glasses away, so I get cheap disposable glasses -

Try a few rounds, and if you get bit with the casting bug like many of us have you will go through a kit in a matter of a night....

just my $0.02.

 

[DozerMite]

Don't waste your time with the ETI resins. ETI products are available at the hobby/craft stores and websites and fall under many brand names. They are very brittle and can be discouraging. Not to mention that they sit on the shelf for an untold period of time. Another negetive is the fact you have to purchase the MEKP seperately and it also just sits there.
Go with Silmar. Even with the shipping, it will be less than going to the craft store for the other stuff. The plus... it comes with the MEKP, it's the same quart size, and they stand behind their product. It will be fresh! Of coarse, you can go with a larger amount too and still be less expensive than going to the craft stores.

 

[kevrob]

Go with Silmar.

I would second that if you are patient enough to wait for it! :biggrin:

I found the castin' craft from Hobby Lobby to be more brittle than Silmar too.

 

[DozerMite]

I would second that if you are patient enough to wait for it! :biggrin:

I found the castin' craft from Hobby Lobby to be more brittle than Silmar too.

Castin' Craft is just one of the names of the ETI resins.:wink:

 

[penmaker1967]

thank you all for the comments . where can i find the pr that i need i am just going to try clear and colored mixes right now. will get into others at a later late when i get use to the basics.

 

[arw01]

As a follow on this question, what are the other trade names for silmar 41? Us Composites only distributes it, which makes me wonder if there are more local sources under a different trade name.

Alan

 

[kevrob]

I would second that if you are patient enough to wait for it! :biggrin:

I found the castin' craft from Hobby Lobby to be more brittle than Silmar too.

Castin' Craft is just one of the names of the ETI resins.:wink:

I am well aware of that, I was agreeing with you. However to someone new to casting they may not realize that when they go into HL and only find Castin' Craft instead of ETI.

 

[DozerMite]

As a follow on this question, what are the other trade names for silmar 41? Us Composites only distributes it, which makes me wonder if there are more local sources under a different trade name.

Alan

It's SIL95BA-41. Good luck finding a local distributor. All of them around me, approx. 25 that sell to the public, only carry lay-up resins. They all can order what I use, but I can do that and save their mark-up.

 

[Snowbeast]

If you just want to get a feel for the process, go to your local big box home improvement store (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.). Get some 3M Fiberglass Resin and MEKP. Lot cheaper than Hobby Lobby or Michaels or even silmar41. It tends to work best with copper, silver, gold or brown tints as it is a brown color in the can. I use Pearlex powders for color and it comes out pretty nice.

This will let you get your feet wet without costing an arm and leg. Then, if you like it, you can move up in quality/price.

These two pens were cast this way and show a lot of color differences as you move them. The red one is copper and the other is antique gold.

Just a suggestion. Not sure it's worth $.02 but I'll pass it along anyway.:biggrin:

 

[arw01]

I sent an email off to Fiberglass supply, the sell some other similar products according to a post I found on some surfboard sites.

 

[clapiana]

i am selling a casting starter kit which includes amber resin

if you dont need a kit and are in new england ocean city job lots sells the amber resin which is awesome for color casting

for clear us composites is all around the best pr resin in my opinion