New video on mixing Alumilite!

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MesquiteMan

MesquiteMan

Retired Head Moderator
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
Messages
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Location
San Marcos, TX, USA.
Last Thursday, Mike Faupel, Owner of Alumilite Corporation, made a special trip to my shop in Texas so we could shoot some videos. I have dealt with Mike for 6 or 7 years now but have never met him in person. That finally changed.

Anyway, Mike shot a lot of video all day on Thursday and then did the video editing himself. We uploaded 3 videos to Youtube and they will be featured on Alumilite.com as well as my website.

Over the years, I have helped a bunch of people trouble shoot their problems with Alumilite. The number 1 issue, by far, is not getting the resin mixed properly so we decided to do a video specifically to demo this. In the video, I use my iPhone timer to show how long it takes from beginning to pressure using 15 ounces of resin. It took me a total time of 3:57.5 and that is with me spending some time showing a few things!

You can find the video here: http://youtu.be/D8CWFX-6oCw

While there, look for my other 2 videos in the Alumilite section as well. I would link them here but they have a little advertising in them and don't want to break any rules!

Let me know what you think!
 
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Curtis

As long as there is more instructional content than advertising, you can most certainly post those videos!

And you can also wrap the video number in our "ytmini" YouTube tags to get the thumbnail.

Using the string: [ytmini]D8CWFX-6oCw[/ytmini] give you this.

[ytmini]D8CWFX-6oCw[/ytmini]
 
Good job Curtis! I've seen you do this a couple of times in the past...this time I'm going to get a rubber spatula....really...this time....really....

Tom
 
Thanks for the videos and the "how-to" on casting. You make it look WAY too easy...:biggrin:

I especially like to look into your workshop. Ours is a giant storage area that needs some serious clean-out so we work better out there.

Thanks again....

Tom
 
Thanks for the video, I learned something important! I was always afraid to try mixing colors with the white for fear of not having time to get into the pot before setting up, but not now!

Also thanks for the fond memories, I can still see me and my dear departed friend, John Driscoll, sitting at that vary bench as you showed us how you make your molds from cutting boards then make your worthless wood blanks.

Good show........Thank You. But now I have to raid the kitchen and swipe a spatula from my sweetie since it looks easier than popcicle sticks.
 
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Thanks Curtis. This is great for those of us on the edge and have a desire to try making our own blanks. I appreciate you taking the time to help the forum members learn more about this process.
 
Nice videos Curtis, very helpful. Looks like using the spatula is perfect. What do you use to clean it up with?

Jeff in northern Wisconsin
 
I keep a small squirt bottle of acetone on my casting desk. I then wipe the spatula with a paper towel to get most of it off, then wet the paper towel with a little acetone and finish cleaning it. I buy the spatulas at the local Dollar Store. They have a double ended silcone rubber spatula with a large head on one end and a small head on the other. I then make my own wood handle since the plastic handle they come with is not stiff enough. Works great for me.

Thanks all for the nice comments!
 
Thank you Curtis for the very informative and well shot videos!

Is it safe to assume that alumilite should always be cast under pressure?
How does it compare as far as toxicity (fumes).... Is it better or worse than PR as far as ventilation requirements? What about the minimum temperature range?

As someone who probably won't see 60 degree days again for awhile(at least on a day off) these factors really determine how much casting I'll be able to do over the Winter. :frown:

Thanks again! Seeing those videos makes me want to do some casting! :)
 
Lenny, See my comments below in blue

Lenny said:
Thank you Curtis for the very informative and well shot videos!

Is it safe to assume that alumilite should always be cast under pressure?
Yes, Alumilite really should be cast under pressure.

How does it compare as far as toxicity (fumes).... Is it better or worse than PR as far as ventilation requirements?
It is MUCH better! It has virtually no smell. I do use a small fan near my casting area but that is more because I use so many different chemicals and a LOT of them, that I don't want to breath too many of them. I know a number of folks who cast Alumilite in their kitchen due to the lack of smell.

What about the minimum temperature range?
As someone who probably won't see 60 degree days again for awhile(at least on a day off) these factors really determine how much casting I'll be able to do over the Winter. :frown:
I frequently put my Alumilite in the refrigerator during the heat of summer to slow it down a little. (In the video, I did not do this!) Of course we don't get real cold down here but I have successfully cast down into the 50's. Alumilite is exothermic (generates its own heat) when the 2 parts are mixed. Colder weather will slow it down but should not prevent it from curing properly.

Thanks again! Seeing those videos makes me want to do some casting! :)
Click to expand...

Glad you like the videos!
 
Thanks for the video Curtis!

I had an epic fail when using Aluminite.I was mixing a small amount to cast one wood blank which had been under turned. It hardened before I could even pour it. Maybe because it was such a small amount or it could have been because it was 100 degress and 100% humidity in Georgia that day.
 
video very informative thank i will be making a few adjustments to how i mix.

question at the end of video you say if your embedding anything make sure it's 100% dry
how would you be sure?
 
Well hell... I guess I'm going to have to try this. Curtis makes it look easy enough for even a dummy like me to do it! Thx! UR DaMan!!

Where the heck is my HF pressure pot now? Buried somewhere in the shop.
:eek::eek::eek:
 
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