Coffee Beans.

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
hornet406

hornet406

Member
Joined
Jul 27, 2012
Messages
126
Location
Nevada
Hi all. I have been casting for a bit now but I have never tried coffee beans. I have read many threads on the subject here, but one thing I don't see is how to prep the bean. Seems like store bought beans are high in oil. Does this affect the adhesion of the resin to the bean? Is there a what to clean the beans or a type to purchase that have no oil?

Thanks for the help.

Mike
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
It does. some people use DNA or acetone, I just go to the store that has coffee in the clear bulk bins and get the dry beans...saves a lot of trouble! Regardless, there are going to be failures, and the ones that do come out will need repair. Once done though, the are really cool!
 
I use Acetone for the beans. Just put a handfull of beans in a cup and add acetone for a few minutes. Drain and lay the beans on a paper towel to dry for a while. Cast and make your blank.
 
toyotaman said:
I use Acetone for the beans. Just put a handfull of beans in a cup and add acetone for a few minutes. Drain and lay the beans on a paper towel to dry for a while. Cast and make your blank.
Click to expand...

I do use acetone too to remove beans oil, when casting heat the PR and beans I have some S/Steel mesh to put on top to weight the beans as they float in the PR then in pressure pot
 
Darley said:
I do use acetone too to remove beans oil, when casting heat the PR and beans I have some S/Steel mesh to put on top to weight the beans as they float in the PR then in pressure pot
Click to expand...


How do you prevent the mesh from becoming incorporated into the casting? I'm trying to figure out how to keep them from floating.
 
I roast my own coffee so I love seeing this oil boil up on the beans. If you look for lighter roasts of coffee the oil will be less. During the roasting process the woody structure of the bean breaks down forcing the oil within the cell to escape. Sometime it takes weeks for the oil to show. Beans that are lightly roasted are larger (sometimes due to the region or type) and more stable due to the cell structures not being damaged as much as an extremely dark roast. This might improve the machinability and strength of the blank in the long run.

I don't know if this will help you at all, but I always love to talk coffee!
 
jbswearingen said:
Darley said:
I do use acetone too to remove beans oil, when casting heat the PR and beans I have some S/Steel mesh to put on top to weight the beans as they float in the PR then in pressure pot
Click to expand...


How do you prevent the mesh from becoming incorporated into the casting? I'm trying to figure out how to keep them from floating.
Click to expand...

You overload the beans in your mould pour your warm PR the beans will float, put more beans add your mesh and little weight on top then pressure pot, will try to put a picture next week as I am out off home now
 
Thanks, Darley!

Question on filling the mold before putting the screen on top--do the beans try to rise WHILE you're covering them with resin? I've cast one blank, and while it was a success, it was too labor intensive to try again--a silicone rubber mold with a slit in the top. It kept the beans submerged, but it was a pain to get the beans in and the blank out.

I'm working on casting my own molds right now for resin saver type molds; I need to make some individual square molds for these.
 
I stabilize my beans before casting. Most others do not. I found the beans did not come apart when turning if the had been stabilized first. Did it make a difference? I do not know but early non stabilized blanks failed about one in four times and I can not remember when the stabilized one ever failed. Now the next one I turn will come apart. :)

I made a silicone mold that was three blanks deep. Fill to the top with beans. Place screen over the top and tape to mold to keep in place. Pour right through screen and it keeps the beans in place. I agree that the oils need to be washed away. I like to preheat my beans and mold as well as the mix.
 
jfoh--

How do you stabilize your beans? I have a container of Curtis' Cactus Juice that I can use.

The next time I try casting these (may be a while before I am brave enough!) I'll soak them in acetone before casting to remove surface oils.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom