Indoor casting question

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
RonSchmitt

RonSchmitt

Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2006
Messages
544
Location
Milwaukee, Wi, USA.
Hi all,
I want to start doing a little casting again, but will need to do it in the house. (winter in Wisconsin, NOT gonna play in the garage for a while) Some time back someone mentioned a casting medium that had no odor, but I neglected to write down what it is.
I am not using a pressure pot, just molds, so what do you suggest?
Thanks.
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
We set up a fan in front of our door and let down the screen and blow the gums out side works well with smell
 
Drstrangefart said:
I'd have to say you may be better off trying out some space heaters in the garage. I am pretty leery of casting indoors without a fully set up casting studio.
Click to expand...

I agree with this as well, mainly because the Mrs' may not like the way the house will smell. On top of that, not too sure it is very good for you or anyone to be breathing in the fumes . I know its not near as cold in the garage here in winter, but i do all of my work year round in my garage and I use a heater to keep me warm, (it does suck in winter, but then so does summer at 108 degrees) If you could use a dedicated room specifically for your casting, ie: a bedroom with a door, then that would be better, then you could open a window and have a fan blowing out the window to suck out the fumes too. Not sure if any of this is beneficial to you, but its good to have some ideas and feedback from the people that are casting. Ultimately, I would say ventilation is KEY! Otherwise not sure how longterm exposure will effect you.
 
I know the PR fumes drift everywhere indoors. You would definitely need some kind of extraction device. It's definitely not healthy to breathe.
 
If you DO have a room to dedicate, a range hood directly over the casting station pulling through the attic to the outdoors could work pretty well. Just an idea. Dad brought it up last night.
 
RonSchmitt said:
I will be casting in the basement and can exhaust out the window right above my bench.
Click to expand...

Smooth. Sounds like a couple of test runs may be in order. I'd light up a couple of incense sticks and put them in the casting station and see if the smell gets too far into the house. That seems like it would let you know whether or not more venting is needed.
 
you can also pour outside, putting your mold in a container
(tupperware, pressure pot etc.) put the cover on to seal it and
then bring it in where it is warm. That keeps the fumes contained.
Then bring it back outside to de-mold. Let it outgas before
you bring it back inside.
 
NewLondon88 said:
you can also pour outside, putting your mold in a container
(tupperware, pressure pot etc.) put the cover on to seal it and
then bring it in where it is warm. That keeps the fumes contained.
Then bring it back outside to de-mold. Let it outgas before
you bring it back inside.
Click to expand...

I may have to try that myself. It gets pretty cold out here during the winters and I was expecting to not be able to do any casting for a while.
 
NewLondon88 said:
you can also pour outside, putting your mold in a container
(tupperware, pressure pot etc.) put the cover on to seal it and
then bring it in where it is warm. That keeps the fumes contained.
Then bring it back outside to de-mold. Let it outgas before
you bring it back inside.
Click to expand...


My wife prefers that I outgas before coming back inside.She doesn't want to keep the fumes contained.:eek::biggrin:
 
RonSchmitt:
Besure to read the MSDS sheet for polyester resin if PR is the resin you will be using. The flash point of PR is 88 degrees. From the MSDS sheet:
Vapors are heavier than air and may travel along the ground or may be moved by ventilation and ignited by ignition sources at locations distant from material handling point.​


I would suggest reading the MSDS sheet for the MEKP also and for alumilite if that will be the casting resin used. Information is important. Don't be an uninformed caster.

There have been a couple of fires from PR vapors in toaster ovens used in curing.

Do a good turn daily!
Don


Drstrangefart said:
I'd have to say you may be better off trying out some space heaters in the garage. I am pretty leery of casting indoors without a fully set up casting studio.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I have not tried it but could you go to the thrift store and buy an old crock pot to use outside. If you keep it set on low and build a wire rack to sit inside of it to set your mold on. Make a little box to sit over top of it for keeping the heat in you could cast outside anywhere. Arounf here you can get a used crockpot for $3-4 sometimes for a $1 at a yardsale.
 
firewhatfire said:
I have not tried it but could you go to the thrift store and buy an old crock pot to use outside. If you keep it set on low and build a wire rack to sit inside of it to set your mold on. Make a little box to sit over top of it for keeping the heat in you could cast outside anywhere. Arounf here you can get a used crockpot for $3-4 sometimes for a $1 at a yardsale.
Click to expand...

I think this sounds very interesting. How long do you "cook" it for?
 
NewLondon88 said:
you can also pour outside, putting your mold in a container
(tupperware, pressure pot etc.) put the cover on to seal it and
then bring it in where it is warm. That keeps the fumes contained.
Then bring it back outside to de-mold. Let it outgas before
you bring it back inside.
Click to expand...

I assume you keep it inside until it is set up. How long do you let it outgas?

Do you find there are any issues with cold shock? Does the brass shrink quicker or more than the casting? Any cracking?
 
sbarton22 said:
I assume you keep it inside until it is set up.
Click to expand...

Yep.. it cures at room temp that way.

sbarton22 said:
How long do you let it outgas?
Click to expand...

I'd give it a couple of hours ..or till the smell doesn't knock you over!
You could put it back in the container and bring it inside again, bring it
back outside to air out every once in a while if you needed to.

sbarton22 said:
Do you find there are any issues with cold shock? Does the brass shrink quicker or more than the casting? Any cracking?
Click to expand...

Nothing that I've noticed, but I wasn't really thinking of leaving them
outside in the snow or anything. It's just a way that you can help
mitigate the fume problem.
 
It is jt an idea. I bought a toaster oven to stick blanks in and get the tacky feel off the outside of them after removing from my mold. I have since figured out that I can cut my cure time down significantly by taking a plastic tub and Turning it upside down over the top of the oven and mold. I do not put the mold in the oven. I just use it for the heat. I can take a pic in a bit and post it later tonight. I leave the corner of the tub open over the counter for degas and air flow. If I has it to do again I think I would opt for the crock pot as I think I regulate temp better


sbarton22 said:
firewhatfire said:
I have not tried it but could you go to the thrift store and buy an old crock pot to use outside. If you keep it set on low and build a wire rack to sit inside of it to set your mold on. Make a little box to sit over top of it for keeping the heat in you could cast outside anywhere. Arounf here you can get a used crockpot for $3-4 sometimes for a $1 at a yardsale.
Click to expand...

I think this sounds very interesting. How long do you "cook" it for?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Some searching of older posts will dig up other ways to cure. Some use a cooler with a light bulb inside. There are some clever ideas that seem to be safe. I use a toaster oven but have become leary of it since reading about a couple of fires. I leave mine in for 10 minutes and they are fully done...hard and dry. So, I stay close for those 10 minutes.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
Keep in mind that Alumilite has fumes and can be as dangerous indoors as PR. It just isn't as obnoxious smelling.

VENTILATE VENTILATE VENTILATE!!!

Pick a room to do it in and close the door. Open the window and stick a box fan blowing out right in the window. If you can seal the window around the fan even better (tack up some trash bags or something).

Make your pours and leave the room for a couple hours, leaving the door closed.

I've done this, and the nice thing about PR is if you can smell it, you know there's still bad crap in the air. With Alumilite, you just don't always know. But with Alumilite, the couple hours can be reduced.

Whatever you do be safe!
 
here is how I do mine out in the shop. If needed I could run an extension cord outside and do it on the porch. and a pic of the blanks that were in the mold for the pic.
hotbox035.jpg

hotbox037.jpg

hotbox041.jpg
 
firewhatfire said:
here is how I do mine out in the shop. If needed I could run an extension cord outside and do it on the porch. and a pic of the blanks that were in the mold for the pic.
hotbox035.jpg

hotbox037.jpg

hotbox041.jpg
Click to expand...

That's almost the same way I cure, except I put a hair dryer in the box. I've been talking to Dad about putting the mold on a heating pad and seeing what it does.
 
You guys are scaring me!

Instead of crock pots and heaters and stuff, pick up a reptile heating rock. Stick that in the box instead. MUCH safer. Lower temps, no exposed elements at all.
 
I always stay with mine as I don't pour when I have other things to do. I just use this to accerate the curing time. I would think the crock pot would be somewhat safer. As no exposed elements.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom