JD Combs Sr
Member
Wanted to try my hand at casting pen blanks other then imbedded object style blanks. I reviewed several videos of various methods and molding techniques. Generally I found two different methods of molding. If I were to give them names I would call one vertical(uses PVC pipe) and the other horizontal(uses rectangular flat molds. There were others that were more or less variations of these two. To see which one worked best for me I thought I would try them both. Also there is several resins with Alumilite and Polyester being the two most popular. I wasn't interested in doing any kind of scientific study but just a first impression trial. I cut a piece of 3/4 PVC and plugged one end for a vertical trial and made a 4x5" flat mold out of some scrap UHMW I have. I poured the PVC with Alumilite dyed with blue Alumilite dye and small amount of blue pearlescent powder. Poured the flat mold with two batches of PR in a swirl pattern. Batch 1 was PR and purple pearlescent and 2 was PR and white pearlescent. I let the Alumilite cure at atmospheric pressure but placed the PR in a pressure pot at 50psi. These are the results. Most of these are the same results others have reported on the IAP forums. Again nothing scientific about my observations.
This is the PR. Pen is a Chrome Slimline using two white painted brass tubes.
PR and Flat Mold Observations:
Slow to cure - accelerated with toaster oven
Easy to mix and use
Accepted the Alumilite dyes OK
Easy material to turn, may be a little brittle but nothing dramatic
Makes long curlies that break up by them selves
Polishes to a brilliant glassy shine
PR has an extreme odor
Mold is easy see how the mixture is "swirling"
Mold is easy to use
Mold is rather wasteful being it makes square blanks
This is the Alumilite. Pen is a Chrome Slimline using one white brass tube(bottom) and one unpainted brass tube(top). The top looks a little brassy in person. There is just barely a hint of it in the photo.
Faster to cure
Easy to mix and use
Lots of compatible dyes available
Very easy to turn, could detect no brittle ness
Makes "overly" long and tough curlies requiring frequent stoping and clearing.
Does not shine up like PR. Coated it with CA to get a shine.
Alumilite is pretty much odorless
Mold is easy to use but not very visible
Mold uses less resin
Mold is one shot use with Alumilite due to no shrinkage of resin.
Blank had many pin holes due to unpressurized curing.
Personal conclusions:
I like the PR overall results best. UMMV
This is the PR. Pen is a Chrome Slimline using two white painted brass tubes.
PR and Flat Mold Observations:
Slow to cure - accelerated with toaster oven
Easy to mix and use
Accepted the Alumilite dyes OK
Easy material to turn, may be a little brittle but nothing dramatic
Makes long curlies that break up by them selves
Polishes to a brilliant glassy shine
PR has an extreme odor
Mold is easy see how the mixture is "swirling"
Mold is easy to use
Mold is rather wasteful being it makes square blanks
This is the Alumilite. Pen is a Chrome Slimline using one white brass tube(bottom) and one unpainted brass tube(top). The top looks a little brassy in person. There is just barely a hint of it in the photo.
Faster to cure
Easy to mix and use
Lots of compatible dyes available
Very easy to turn, could detect no brittle ness
Makes "overly" long and tough curlies requiring frequent stoping and clearing.
Does not shine up like PR. Coated it with CA to get a shine.
Alumilite is pretty much odorless
Mold is easy to use but not very visible
Mold uses less resin
Mold is one shot use with Alumilite due to no shrinkage of resin.
Blank had many pin holes due to unpressurized curing.
Personal conclusions:
I like the PR overall results best. UMMV
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