Casting Sand

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mick

mick

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Joined
Mar 13, 2005
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2,608
Location
Decatur AL, USA
I'm in the middle of a project and need some input. I'm gluing sand to scuffed up brass tubes and casting in clear resin.
I'm using spray adhesive to coat the tubes then rolling them in the sand. Then sprinkling sand over to fill in voids. I've been letting this dry most of the day then saturating them in CA. After this cures and gases off I'm casting in a resin saver mold
Problem I've run into is sometimes the tube is turning loose when I mill the ends or when turning if there's a catch.
I'm figuring its the layer of spray adhesive giving way.
Is there a better adhesive to use when casting like this? Something that will bond with the CA ? I've not tried adhering the sand with thick CA yet but was hoping to avoid that because of the mess and possibility of finger prints all over the tubes.
Any ideas? I've got a very limited amount of sand and can't afford any mistakes.
 
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I have used the (5 minute) 2 part epoxy. It's strong enough to hold the sand on the tubes. I have even attached very small sea shells in the sand. Then cast in resin.
 
I do something similar when making "money burl" and gunpowder blanks. I glue the shreds or grains directly to the tube with CA glue. I've taken advantage of the fact that CA does not stick to the little baggies that pen parts come in. I sprinkle a layer of material (let's call it sand) on a baggie, put a few drops of thin CA on it, and quickly wrap it around the tube. When it sets, I peel the baggie off and repeat in another spot until the tube is covered. If some spots need touch-up or evening out, I put a drop of CA in place, and sprinkle sand on it. Wrap with a baggie until it sets. I generally do a CA buildup instead of casting in clear PR, but that's just a matter of convenience or preference.

Regards,
Eric
 
Haven't used sand, but been doing a fair few glitter blanks.

I use Medium CA, put a line on baking (waxed) paper, put the tube on my tube inserting tool, roll it through the CA, sprinkle the glitter on while still wet, spray with accelerator and you know who is your uncle. Very quick process, I can fill a 7mm Resin Saver mold with 12 tubes like this in a very short time.
 
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