First Wastewood Blanks

[GaTurner83]

Well after reading everything I could find on the subject I decided to bite the bullet and get the stuff to try some wastewood blanks.After reading all the horror stories of the HF pressure pot blowing I was kind of leary but its all I can afford at the moment so I took a chance and got one.So far so good (knock on wood).I spent the day on sunday putting the pot together and casting a couple blanks.

I had this piece of oak burl cap that came from part of an oak burl that was given to me over the weekend.I cleaned it up and got it ready for the mold.

In the mold and ready for resin.I am using Casting Craft PR.The mold is made from a cutting board from Walmart.It cost $2.17 for the cutting board and I got 4 molds from one board.

Resin poured and ready for the pressure pot.

In the pressure pot and pressurized to about 38psi.

Here it is after coming out of the pot and getting cleaned up on the table saw.Cant wait to turn this into a pen.

Another piece I done along with the oak burl.I have no idea of what kind of wood it is.Its not Osage Orange.It grows in a bush like Holly does.It is a real bright yellow almost like a highlighter yellow.This was given to me over the weekend as well.

Before

After in black resin.Going to turn this one on a black chrome cigar kit.

 

[markspens]

Very nice!! Please post pics of the finished product.

 

[el_d]

Nice.

The yellow wood is Agarita. I got a few on my land They're small right now but Im letting them grow.

 

[GaTurner83]

Nice.

The yellow wood is Agarita. I got a few on my land They're small right now but Im letting them grow.

Very Nice looking pen.Thanks for the info.It sure is a unique looking wood.

 

[Fibonacci]

How did you get it out of the mold? Just unscrew it?

I assume the resin does not stick to the HDPE?

 

[JamesB]

Now that is neat. I've been wondering how those were made.

 

[toyotaman]

Very nice blanks Jon. I'm looking foward to seeing the oak burl one on a pen. I'm trying to finish some regular pens for a customer before I can get to the casting.

 

[GaTurner83]

How did you get it out of the mold? Just unscrew it?

I assume the resin does not stick to the HDPE?

After the resin cures I just turn the mold upside down and tap it on the work bench and the blank slides right out.

 

[Fibonacci]

My first is in the pot now.

Out of curiousity, how long did you leave yours under pressure?

 

[toyotaman]

I hope to get my pot up and running over the weekend. I've got a few other pens to get done first. Great job on yours Jon.

 

[GaTurner83]

My first is in the pot now.

Out of curiousity, how long did you leave yours under pressure?

I left mine under pressure for about two hours then set the molds under a heat lamp for an hour.When I took them from the mold they were hard as a rock.

 

[tkbarron]

Hey GA,

That's a really nice piece of oak burl with beautiful figure. PR can be a bear to turn so go easy on the cuts!

Best of luck with the project.

Tom