getting started

[wizical]

i have seen some really cool pen blanks made from casting and resin.

I wanted to know what it would take to get started in this endeavour. What materials would I need to get started. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[gketell]

Depends on how far into it you want to start. For the most basic all you need is a mold (ice tube trays or PVC pipe both work) and resin (Castin' Craft from Michael's) and colorant (ink, paint, dye, whatever). So about $40 worth of stuff for your first few "no wood", PR-only blanks.

Now, if you want to be sure there are no bubbles then you also need a pressure pot and that will run around $75-90 plus an air compressor to run it.

Then you can get into Silicone molds, vacuum casting to get better penetration into wood, etc.

GK

 

[jason_r]

Good places to start:
1) Read the archives. There's a *lot* of info there from people who know much
more than I.
2) Check out my color library for some hard data on what dyes give what results, how long it takes for resin to gel at a certain temp, etc.
3) Get out there and do some.

Then take pictures, notes, and share what you learn with others. I've got a standing offer to add other recipes to the color library if people give me pictures and details. (see #60 and #61- those are Glass Scratcher's recipes)

 

[Mikey]

Greg, did the HF pots go up that much? I got mine a bit over a year ago on sale for like $29. Added maybe $10 in fittings to convert to both pressure and vacuum.

Anyway, it can be as cheap as a $2 mold from Wal-Mart and a $15 RP can from the craft store and maybe another $10 for colorant. if you get the other equipment, your product gets better, you can do more product, and you can have an angry S/O because you spent so much $$

 

[gketell]

No, the pot itself isn't that much. But then you need all the fittings, gauge(s), etc. The entire shebang is probably up around there.

GK

 

[Mikey]

That explains it then. I use my vacuum guages as the connections for the vacuum and for pressure I use a cheap HF gauge in addition to setting the output from the compressor.