Leaking Resin

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Gordon

Gordon

Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
181
Location
Wichita, KS, USA.
I've been casting Avery labels - attached to powder coated 7mm tubes

5-6 drops catalyst per 1 oz of resin.
Pressurized for 10 hours at 40 psi.
Tube ends sealed with corks #00

My problem is that the resin is leaking inside the tubes.

I don't know if I'm not properly inserting the corks in the tubes
or if I'm pressurizing too long or with excess psi pressure.

I've tried to seal the corks with CA and wax - but the problem
remains.

Getting expensive ! Help !!
 
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I only use about 18-20 PSI when I cast labels.

Instead of corks I switched to rubber knitting needle tip caps that I found at WalMart.

Edit: I just noticed you are using 7MM tubes. The caps will be too large for this. I suggest going to a hardware store or a crafts store and getting some rubber stoppers to try.
 
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Gordon, everyone has their own way of doing casting that works well for them. But try reducing your psi. It sounds like you are blowing resin past the corks.
 
Gordon,

However long it takes for your PR to cure! :biggrin: I don't see your 10 hour figure as a problem. You could even go longer if you needed to. I think the blow though is related more to psi than time.
 
I normally cast one evening and open the pot after I arrive home from work the next day.

I have sucessfully cast in the afternoon and opened the pot the following AM.

I use 3 drops of MEKP to an ounce of resin.
 
The amount of MEKP you use the resin will probably be cured in an hour or so. I use 3 drops and demold the blanks after two hours so I can cast another batch. I agree that the 10 hours in the tank is not important since the PR has cured much sooner and once cured can not leak past the corks.

Glue in the corks with CA. Push them in nice and snug...a little snugger. I only cast at 25 psi. I did not experience any advantage at higher pressures. I first started at 60 and have been casting at 25 for a long time now.

You have been given some excellent advice by others also. Happy casting.

Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
May be late, but I only use 10 or 12 pounds of pressure. All you want to do is remove the air bubbles. Or should I say compress them.
As far as time, once the resin begins to gel, it isn't likely to get in the tubes. The first couple of hours is the criticle time. After that, it really doesn't matter too much.
I try to overlap the label onto the cork just a little. The I run a light bead of med. CA around the edge. Also I apply CA to the cork, this seems to help seal the porous cork and keep the resin out.
Hope this helps.
 
One other trick I use is to coat the inside of the tubes with mold release. Then, even if some resin does get in, it can usually be reamed out with a little persuasion.
 
I have been casting pens a long time, and recently I intentionally left off any plug in the hole, and actually filled the tube with resin. I ran a q-tip with petroleum jelly through the tube first. When the casting was done the center slide right out, looks like a glass rod. I have done this a few times some without coating the tubes, because the resin n the tube shrinks it seems to come right out ?
 
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