George's worthless wood blanks experimentations preparations!

[robutacion]

Hi everyone,

This post was written a few days ago, so please keep that in mind when you read my next post, thanks!

I've been gathering info about this technique, from various sources, including our friend Curtis O. Seebeck, the author of the Worthless Wood Blanks casting PDF files. Been working on getting the gear necessary, as per his PDF file and following his suggestions on what to use and how to make things work, including his suggestion on the type of molds that could be made for this purpose. Got the pressure pot modified for the job, the wood tray for the molds (mine has 3 shelves instead of 2) allowing the casting of 12 molds simultaniastly, made 12 molds, plus cut material for another 8, got the order of the resins, colorants, bits and pieces from the local Adelaide Moulding & Casting Supplies, I'm pretty much ready to start "wasting" stuff for sure, as I know is not going to be right straight a way. So far my expenses are, $120 for the pressure pot, $30 for accessories to make it work as it should, $100 for mold plastics and screws, $200 on chemicals and disposable accessories (gloves, coups, mixing containers, etc, etc.), total of $450 investment to try to save many rare blanks that need something done to them, to make them workable. This casting idea, was what I wanted to try initially, well before I was aware that many other people were already experts on this, never the less, I wouldn't do it if I didn't had the number of timber blanks that are so well suited for this process so, in a few days time, I should feel right to start. I would like to believe that if others manage to get it right, I should too, when? we will find out, huh?

All for now,

Cheers
George

 

[robutacion]

Hi Friends,

Well, where do I start...? from the beginning would be probably better...!

Casting, mixing bits of wood with toxic poisons..., not very kind on me at all... indeed in my working experience through the years, and at a dangerously young age, I was much expose to all these type of products, (not so much acetone)
but all the other nasty products used in spray painting, causing me 2 toxic intoxications, requiring hospitalization and lots of drugs to clean me up, all this happen in within 4 years apart, with the second intoxication, causing a lot more damage and recuperation time. Since then, I've become over sensitive to certain products, forcing me to slowly stop their use all together, or close to!
I never stopped working with thurps, thinners, varnishes, glues, paints, but all in very small quantities and once every so often, just getting away most of the time with a nasty headache and some hands skin irritation, but nothing too bad. I haven't use any of these type of casting resins for over 20 years, and I can simply say that after only to application (2 pots filled of 12 molds/blanks) even with a new normal chemical mask and using the products NOT in a enclosed place (lots of ventilation through), I felt pretty bad and sick all over, as the fumes/smell just from being working with this stuff, stays around too strong for my likings, I know that it will affect me badly regardless so I've pretty much made the decision already that I don't want to do this, certainly in quantities for now, but I sincerely thing that I will prefer to sell all the gear that I've got for casting, and get it out of my system. I may use what I've got in resins, colours, etc, but after I got a good "sniff" of it all, and a monster headache (actually 2, one for every time I work with the pot), as a result, no thank you, I don't need another reason to make me sick, I've got plenty already so, I will stick to my natural timbers, and continue to keep a site all the pieces that need filling, or pieces more suitable for casting, and make them available to anyone that wants to have a go with making these type of pen blanks that are getting a great demand. Most of the woods I have a side for this purpose are Majestic Olive, Olive root, spotted gum burl, and others...!
As a point of interest, I purchase 2 types of polyester resins, one called Clear casting resin, the other Quality casting resin, this last one a little cheaper and was my first try, with decision of a percentage of catalyst of about 1.5% for both types, and the first batch was in the pot about 12 hours at 70 PSI, come out pretty hard and no signs on any bubbles anywhere, they were de-molded and let to dry for another 12 hours. Trimmed the excess resins from the timber and they looked OK, for blanks that had only cracks or where only 2/3 of the length necessary, with natural ends and not cut. There is another 12 blanks in the pot at the moment, mixed and put there this afternoon, and these ones are spotted gum burl, just right for this type of casting, this time with the clear resin and colour mix a little more worked on, but when I open the pot after a overnight there, the resin wasn't hard and I could see bubbles forming all over the mold as if was slow boiling, I put it back and closed the pot, giving it another 70 PSI pressure, so it should be interesting. The first 12 I've made were all Majestic Olive with lots of character on the grain!

As I'm typing this post I only have one of the 12 Olive ones I finish this afternoon, with me here at the computer room, so and until the other ones are getting "cooked", this one will do...! I can tell you is doable, but very far from what I would make them look, if I was to continue with this...! which I'm not!

So, my friends, I stick with my natural timbers, that's more than enough for me, it actually makes me feel healthy and happy, and not miserable and sick!

Eventually, pot and molds will be sold, but for now, anyone that wants to try the worthless wood blanks but doesn't have the ideal timbers for the mix, let me know, I've got bags/boxes full, all cleaned stuff.

If you want to talk to me about it, please contact me by PM or email!

Cheers
George

 

[PTownSubbie]

George,

I am sorry to hear about your misfortune. Have you thought of Alumite instead of PR? I don't know much about it but others here do.

 

[jimofsanston]

You need to try alumilite

You really need to try it. It works a whole lot better with the worthless wood casting and tends to bind with the wood better IMO. It has little or no order as i too have a little problem with PR but not as bad as yours. It also turns wonderfully and does not chip as easy as PR.

 

[titan2]

Hi Friends,

Eventually, pot and molds will be sold, but for now, anyone that wants to try the worthless wood blanks but doesn't have the ideal timbers for the mix, let me know, I've got bags/boxes full, all cleaned stuff.

If you want to talk to me about it, please contact me by PM or email!

Cheers
George

George,

I could use some of your 'ideal timbers' for making some worthless wood blanks......how much are we talking here ($$$) and how large a box/bag?

THANKS,

Barney

 

[Dai Sensei]

looking good George

I have been using more catalyst than specified to avoid the setting problems.

good luck with it

 

[jkeithrussell]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I am having a lot of similar issues. If you decide to sell your gear, I will take a pile of those molds. PM me if you want to discuss.