First cast under pressure

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Krudwig

Krudwig

Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2013
Messages
165
Location
DEQueen, AR
I bought a HF pressure pot on Memorial Day to cast some worthless wood blanks. I have played with casting resin from Michaels Craft store but never Alumilite. I have also been using some rich or fat pine for pens that I like and had some to use with Alumilite. This pen is the result of the casting, it was cast at 80# for 2 hours and cured overnight before turning. This turning has become adictive!
 

Attachments

  • Worthless wood 1.jpg
    Worthless wood 1.jpg
    178.3 KB · Views: 218
  • worthless wood two.jpg
    worthless wood two.jpg
    146 KB · Views: 177
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
I agree with Jim... Less pressure will still be fine!

Sounds like me :eek:... If 30 is enough, 60 will be better!!!

After only 50 cast blanks... I like 40 PSI for 60 min (Alumilite). No experience with PR.

Take Care!
 
Oh!!! The PEN!

(Was too busy looking at the blank!!!)

This is a mighty nice PEN! I do like the blank ! Nice separation of colors.
 
Good job! :good:

I regularly use 65 for alumilite. I think as long as you stay above 30, you're fine. But since my pot is rated for 80, 65 seems reasonable.
 
Ok, will too much pressure cause it to foam? The second batch I tried foamed up on me. I was getting close to the seven minute mark before I got it under pressure but it foamed up on me. Also do you have to take it out of the pot in a given time frame? Anyway there is a learning curve here for sure!
 
And no, too much pressure will not cause foam. I ALWAYS cast at 80 psi. That said, I am using high quality pressure pots that are certified for 80 psi working pressure. I would not go close to that with an HF pot.
 
Where did the moister come from, humidity? It was raining outside when I cast the other batch. Could it be from my compressor adding moisture to the pot? Also what is the danger with the hf pot is it going to explode or fracture under pressure?
 
The moisture came from your wood! I recommend you dry it in an oven set at 200° F for a few hours before casting.

As for the HF pot...there are a nubmer of folks who use that pot with success. I am not one of them as I had an explosion. It was partly due to my own modifications, though. The thing to consider, however, is that every time you air up that pot, you are creating a bomb in your shop waiting to go off. Personally, I am not going to trust my life or limbs to Chinese quality control (oxymoron) just to save a few hundred bucks. Heck the cost difference between the HF and a good quality Binks or CA Technologies made in USA pot will note even meet my insurance deductible in the ER! Personally, I run 4 Binks pots which are all ASME certified. This give me a peace of mind. Your mileage will vary!

Krudwig said:
Where did the moister come from, humidity? It was raining outside when I cast the other batch. Could it be from my compressor adding moisture to the pot? Also what is the danger with the hf pot is it going to explode or fracture under pressure?
Click to expand...
 
Ok thanks Curtis! Did the pressure make the wood show it's moisture ? I had the blanks cut from dried firewood and they had been in a shoe box in my shop several months but still could have had a real active moisture of the shop. I'll try drying the next batch as you suggested and empty my compressor of any water trapped in it before I pressurize the pot. I also will use less pressure and consider investing in a better pot. The biggest danger I see is from the clamps that hold the lid down if one of those came loose from the pot I really don't think the pot itself would fail but anything could happen. Anyway thanks again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom