Correct Casting Resin?

[Pen_Turner_Dan]

Is this the right Casting Resin? Planning to cast some snake skins!

If not, then what is?
And how much room do I give the blanks in the cast?

Thanks guys!
Dan Turner

 

[arioux]

Yes this one will do but it think that the Silmar 41 is cheaper and many caster here uses it

http://www.uscomposites.com/polyesters.html

 

[its_virgil]

Most of us use Silmar 41 but Castin' Craft is used by some, especially in the beginning since it is available from Hobby Lobby and Michaels. I can't officially speak for Castin' Craft since I have never used it. Be sure to use a 50% off coupon if you can find one. Look in the Sunday paper or on the websites.

Silmar 41 is available from US Composites at http://www.uscomposites.com

The polyester resin sold by Douglas and Sturgess works fine also. I think it is Silmar 41 but I have no proof and is available at http://www.artstuf.com
Do a good turn daily!
Don

Is this the right Casting Resin? Planning to cast some snake skins!

If not, then what is?
And how much room do I give the blanks in the cast?

Thanks guys!
Dan Turner

 

[Florida Marine]

Man, that's funny... We just got home from Michael's and I passed on the purchase since my wife didn't have a coupon with her.

She said there are some 50% ones this weekend.

 

[firewhatfire]

for those who do pour with the silmar how many blanks will be produced from 1 gallon? I know it estimated but say using 3/4 pipe as a mold. I am like alot these newbies around here trying to learn.

thanks

Phil

 

[its_virgil]

How long is the pipe mold?:biggrin:
Fill the pipe mold with water then pour into a measuring cup to see how many fluid ounces it holds.

(128 fluid ounces) divided by (fluid ounces for one blank using your mold) and the answer will be the number of blanks from a gallon.
Do a good turn daily!
Don

for those who do pour with the silmar how many blanks will be produced from 1 gallon? I know it estimated but say using 3/4 pipe as a mold. I am like alot these newbies around here trying to learn.

thanks

Phil

 

[firewhatfire]

See thats why I ask you smart people this kind of questions, although I was hoping someone had already did it and would make it easy on me

Thanks

Phil

 

[Pen_Turner_Dan]

Okay so, how do you seal off the opposite part of the pipe, and how do you ensure the blanks are in the middle?

 

[Phunky_2003]

Okay so, how do you seal off the opposite part of the pipe, and how do you ensure the blanks are in the middle?

You can get an endcap for the pipe, I have several different size endcaps they are good for casting other things as well (purse hangers, bottle stoppers, etc...) Stand the caps upright ........ make sure they are secure, you dont want to knock them over before they set up (DAMHIKT).

The pipe molds will need to be replaced occasionally the pr will start making it harder and harder to get the blanks out.

 

[its_virgil]

I think those who cast using PVC pipe or the round ice trays from Wallmart are casting solid blanks and not clear casting over tubes like labels or snake skins.

If casting with tubes then the vaolume of the tube in fluid ounces must be subtraced from the total fluid ounce volume of the mold since the tube will not be filled with resin...or we hope it won;t be. :biggrin::biggrin: Know the forumla for the volume of a cylinder? you;ll need it twice. :biggrin::biggrin:

Do a good turn daily!
Don

Okay so, how do you seal off the opposite part of the pipe, and how do you ensure the blanks are in the middle?

 

[gawdelpus]

Something to remember is that you need to seal both ends of your tubes to keep out the resin , this makes the tube a bit boyuant and it will try to float up your mold if you use a tube mold, I sometimes turn a piece of dowl to just fit in the tube easily and turn a spigot on that to seal the end of the tube .put some weight in the tube a bit of round steel or a bolt with the head cut off to weigh it down, do the same at the top make a spigot to fit the tube and cut some away to allow fluid to pour in and down around the tube to be cast.This will keep it all central for you and any bubbles that are in the casting can escape at the top before "gelling " you will find your own way in time but this is one way cheers ~ John

 

[DurocShark]

The Douglass & Sturgess stuff is more brittle than Silmar 41, at least in my experience. It's closer to Castin' Craft than Silmar, actually. But they could keep it on the shelf longer than US Composites, or some other environmental factor could cause the brittleness. But I've done 2 orders from Artstuf, and lots of orders from US Composites and things have been pretty consistent.