I wasn't expecting this

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Craftdiggity

Craftdiggity

Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2010
Messages
1,373
Location
Egg Harbor Township, NJ
I bought a couple of gallons of Alumilite awhile ago and finally got around to casting some of it. I have to say that this stuff is a nightmare to work with. There are really only two things I like about it: The swirls are great and it washes off with water.

When pouring a simple three color pan (roughly 16 oz), I was unable to mix all three colors before the first color kicked and I wound up with a pan of two swirled colors with four big green discs in it :mad:. So that was disappointing. but I thought, "Maybe it was just too much too soon. Maybe if I cast a couple of individual blanks..." So I tried a couple of individual blanks. I was able to cast them without further incident.

But when I turned them round, they all had big giant holes in them. I know that the suggested method is to put this product under pressure, but frankly, by the time you mix, pour and swirl, the stuff begins to gel up. I don't see any way to get it under pressure in time.

I have only poured about 1 gallon and I'm comparing this to my experience with the first gallon I poured of PR, but I was able to get some very acceptable results with that first gallon and wound up with a nice collection of blanks.

I was hoping that this would be something that I could use for my bracelets, but it is just a mess to work with compared with PR. I need to be able to pour the material into small openings for the bracelet and Alumilite just kicks so fast that it gets too thick to work with.

Anyhoo, I will make a couple of pens with some of these first blanks and see how they turn out.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
I won't even consider trying it. Too many things affect it and with the cost.:eek:
 
I have no problem using Alumilite to cast blanks with small cones embedded in it. Now maybe that is because I am only doing a small pour that yields 3 blanks at a time. I mix it and then pour the mold while it sits on top of my jointer/planer for a little vibration and then put it under pressure. So far no voids in the pens I've turned.
Michael
 
Chris, I myself just bought a couple gallons of the stuff! I've only used it once before and that was clear casting pepper flakes so not very involved. I'm sure most of what I just bought will go towards my education with the stuff. You might need an assistant to help mix colors together since that's a key to getting it to set properly. I think the end results will be worth it. Good luck! I'll be watching for some results.
 
It is my favorite material to mix, but I have three kids that love to stir. I've had good success with up to 5 colors, but small batches are key.
 
I prefer alumilite over PR because of the smell. I have never had an issue with it setting up before I wanted it to. Equals parts A and B. You should have somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20 minutes to work with it.
 
Chris, If you need more time, put your Alumilite in the refrigerator and then use it cold. I usually mix 20-22 ounces of Alumilite at a time and the only time I refrigerate is during the heat of the summer. Never had any go off before I was ready. As for the voids...Alumilite must be cast under pressure for best results.
 
Also, Chris, you did not say what type of Alumilite you used. Alumilite Clear has the longest open time, followed by Alumilite Water Clear, then White and Regular.
 
Padre said:
Equals parts A and B. You should have somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20 minutes to work with it.
Click to expand...

Not even close. Maybe five minutes or so. But when it starts to kick, that's it. Then it thickens up so much that it's hard to get it to do what I want.

Curtis, I use clear. I know that I need to get it under pressure, but I haven't had time to make that happen so far. It just kicks so fast. I will use the rest of the two gallons to see if I can get a process figured out and then I'll call it quits with this product. Fortunately PR works great for my applications so at least I can go back to that after I fail to reinvent the wheel.:biggrin:
 
It has to be mixed by weight ounce to ounce not measurement like oz to oz in a measuring cup. I use a scaled that measures grams. It also sets up faster when it is older. Doesn't last long according to the people that I know who cast. I have used it and had plenty of time before it set up.
 
Last edited:
Knowing the time you have to deal with is very important and as Curtis mentioned, different types vary greatly. One of the nice things about Alumilite IS the quick setup times but it can also be a curse if you're not prepared. I would get very familiar with the different "open times" and plan your tasks beforehand so time isn't wasted looking for another stir stick or cup, or looking for that jar of PearEx powder you just opened, etc.

When I mix Alumilite I have everything ready, the scale at the mixing station next to the mold which is next to the mold tray and the pressure pot is ready to put the lid on and hook the air hose to.
 
Craftdiggity said:
Padre said:
Equals parts A and B. You should have somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20 minutes to work with it.
Click to expand...

Not even close. Maybe five minutes or so. But when it starts to kick, that's it. Then it thickens up so much that it's hard to get it to do what I want.

Curtis, I use clear. I know that I need to get it under pressure, but I haven't had time to make that happen so far. It just kicks so fast. I will use the rest of the two gallons to see if I can get a process figured out and then I'll call it quits with this product. Fortunately PR works great for my applications so at least I can go back to that after I fail to reinvent the wheel.:biggrin:
Click to expand...

At the five minute stage, what are you trying to get it to do? Maybe that's your problem. At five minutes my blanks are loaded in the pot under pressure and I'm off doing something else. :)

Padre, 15 - 20 minutes.......... Nah, I've never seen that much time. My blanks are usually out of the pot ready to remove from the mold in 20 minutes! :eek:
 
Last edited:
Texatdurango said:
Craftdiggity said:
Padre said:
Equals parts A and B. You should have somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20 minutes to work with it.
Click to expand...

Not even close. Maybe five minutes or so. But when it starts to kick, that's it. Then it thickens up so much that it's hard to get it to do what I want.

Curtis, I use clear. I know that I need to get it under pressure, but I haven't had time to make that happen so far. It just kicks so fast. I will use the rest of the two gallons to see if I can get a process figured out and then I'll call it quits with this product. Fortunately PR works great for my applications so at least I can go back to that after I fail to reinvent the wheel.:biggrin:
Click to expand...

At the five minute stage, what are you trying to get it to do? Maybe that's your problem. At five minutes my blanks are loaded in the pot under pressure and I'm off doing something else. :)

Padre, 15 - 20 minutes.......... Nah, I've never seen that much time. My blanks are usually out of the pot ready to remove from the mold in 20 minutes! :eek:
Click to expand...

Here is my process so far:

1. Pour out "side A" into 2 oz cup fulls using a scale (and the tare function).
2. Mix in my colors.
3. Mix in my "Side B"
4. Pour and swirl.

What is happening is by the time I finish mixing the side B in the last color or so, the first has begun to set up. What I need is time to mix it all so that I can 1. pour it cleanly into my molds (sometimes a small opening, and 2. swirl the colors a little bit, and 3. Get it under pressure.

So far, I have worked things out to get the colors poured and swirled, but getting it all under pressure has not even been close prior to it all setting up.
 
Well, I don't know what to suggest then as I too usually use two, three or four colors with the clear and have time. The only thing I do is stir like a mad man who is trying to get out of the house before it burns down. I know when it starts gelling, it goes rather quickly so the ONLY thing I can think of is to STIR FASTER!

I use the Alumilite liquid color dye and PearlEx pigment powders. I wouldn't think the brand of dye or pigment would make a difference but you never know.
 
In my trials with different pigments and PR I experienced a wide range of flash times between manufacturers. Even certain colors take longer to gel than others. Try using what you're used to working with from your PR castings and impliment them into the alumilite, just double check that none of it is water based!
 
Texatdurango said:
Craftdiggity said:
Padre said:
Equals parts A and B. You should have somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-20 minutes to work with it.
Click to expand...

Not even close. Maybe five minutes or so. But when it starts to kick, that's it. Then it thickens up so much that it's hard to get it to do what I want.

Curtis, I use clear. I know that I need to get it under pressure, but I haven't had time to make that happen so far. It just kicks so fast. I will use the rest of the two gallons to see if I can get a process figured out and then I'll call it quits with this product. Fortunately PR works great for my applications so at least I can go back to that after I fail to reinvent the wheel.:biggrin:
Click to expand...

At the five minute stage, what are you trying to get it to do? Maybe that's your problem. At five minutes my blanks are loaded in the pot under pressure and I'm off doing something else. :)

Padre, 15 - 20 minutes.......... Nah, I've never seen that much time. My blanks are usually out of the pot ready to remove from the mold in 20 minutes! :eek:
Click to expand...

Yeah, you're right. :redface: I did some last night, poured 1/2 oz. of each (by weight), mixed and let it sit. 6.25 minutes until no more mixing.
 
Chris,

Mix an entire batch as clear, then split the mixed resin into 3 cups. Now add your color and stir, then pour. Should take no more than 3 minutes total time until you are ready to pour.

I have done 3 color pours this way with Alumilite White which has a 90 SECOND open time! Gotta work MUCH faster but it is possible.
 
MesquiteMan said:
Chris,

Mix an entire batch as clear, then split the mixed resin into 3 cups. Now add your color and stir, then pour. Should take no more than 3 minutes total time until you are ready to pour.

I have done 3 color pours this way with Alumilite White which has a 90 SECOND open time! Gotta work MUCH faster but it is possible.
Click to expand...

Mix it clear with both A and B before adding my color??? I've been mixing the colors with part A and weighing all of the part B, then mixing and pouring. I'll try it your way tomorrow.
 
Craftdiggity said:
Mix it clear with both A and B before adding my color??? I've been mixing the colors with part A and weighing all of the part B, then mixing and pouring. I'll try it your way tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Yes, absolutely. Ignore Alumilite's directions for adding the color to A. This is primarily for those who are adding a LOT of dye where it may skew the ratio. With our casting, the little bit of dye added will have no ill effect (I usually use 1 drop per ounce of Alumilite dye).

The advantage of doing the 2 components first is you will be able to tell when it is completely mixed. When you first pour the 2 parts together, they will be cloudy with swirls. When it turns completely clear with no swirls, it is mixed properly. Using a clear cup really helps see all of this. Don't afraid to mix it either! I stir the heck out of it, scraping the side of the cup as I go. I don't beat it into a froth but I also don't worry about any bubbles that may get in it since the pressure will do away with them completely.

Once it is mixed, split it into 3 cups and add your dye. The dye will not have to be stirred nearly as long since the base resin will already be mixed. I normally just put the drop of dye in and give it a couple of good strokes until it looks even. Then pour away!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom