Casting Questions

[woodtreker]

1. I have an old pressure cooker that I want to make into a pressure pot... Anyone done this??? Any suggestions?
2. Which is best in casting adding vacuumn or pressure?
3. Cn you name a good source for castin resins and materials?
4. I have some coal dust (from soft coal) that I want to use to make pen blanks... Any suggestions on how...

 

[Skye]

I'll give it a stab, although I don't cast (aint got the time):

1. People have done it, but it's not advised. You want about 30lbs (this is all preference) and some people go as high as 60 pounds. A pressure cooker is designed to be used at about 15 pounds on the high side. So, I would really not suggest that.

2. If your purpose is to reduce bubbles, pressure. If your main purpose is to pull the resin into small cracks and crevices, vacuum.

3. u.s. composites for resin in large quantities. You can get some small containers of it at Michael's Craft stores.

4. Crush it, mix it in resin. You could also put some CA on the tubes, roll it in the dust, then cast it.

 

[MesquiteMan]

DO NOT USE A PRESSURE COOKER. There is a fellow on a sculpture casting forum I was a member of a while back that was severly hurt when his pressure cooker/pot blew up. They just are not made for our purpose.

I only use pressure and have never used vacuum. I have a high dollar vacuum pump, I just don't find a need for it. Pressure will get my resin into the smallest of cracks better than vacuum. Vacuum will only work properly if you pull the vacuum and then release it before the resin has gelled.

 

[wolftat]

The pressure cooker is great for cooking, but not for casting. It is not made to stand up to the pressure needed for casting. There are plenty of threads about how to make a pressure tank SAFELY. Good luck and if you need help, ask.