How far will a gallon go?

[SSobel]

This has probably been asked a hundred times, but I'm not hunting through threads for two hours...anyone have any clue how many blanks (3/4"PVC) you can get out of a gallon of PR? I realize with length, and a few other variables, it's not exact, but I'm looking for a range. I need to bust out an order of 100 pens, and have never kept track and don't want to come up short!

 

[Sabaharr]

PR weighs close enough cured to what it is liquid. Weigh a typical blank you have poured. With gallon being 128 ounces you can divide out how many blanks it should make, less any that is over mixed or sticks in the cup. (Hint, Keep a few 3" pieces of 1.5" PVC around to pour any overmix in and make you some rainbow stopper blanks. Pour a little in each one every time you over mix. Better than wasting it. Use knockout caps for your stoppers.) (Hint 2. If you are making any slimline type pens use 1/2" PVC molds and you will get 40 to 50% more blanks from your PR.)

 

[mg_dreyer]

Very roughly a blank takes a little less than 2 oz. of PR. You can do your calculations from there.

 

[PSNCO]

60-70 blanks that are 5.25" if there is very little waste.

 

[SSobel]

Thanks Gents!

 

[BSea]

60-70 blanks that are 5.25" if there is very little waste.

That's my experience too.

(Hint 2. If you are making any slimline type pens use 1/2" PVC molds and you will get 40 to 50% more blanks from your PR.)

But I have a lot harder time getting PR out of half inch PVC. I won't waste my time anymore.

 

[MikeinSC]

My experience, same as others, has been 15-16 per quart, 60-65 per gallon.

 

[Sabaharr]

Getting PR out of 1/2" inch use to be tough for me too but I just put a 1 inch piece of dowel in the cork end, stood it up on a solid surface and whacked the top of the PVC tube with a hammer. That broke it lose and it pushed out fine. I think the inside surface of 1/2 might not be as well finished as 3/4. I also make 1" for cholla cactus blanks.