Now in stock and shipping: Thermoset Urethane Casting Resin

[McKenzie Penworks]

The feedback we got from folks that did the pre-order was positive so we're now stocking 4lb, 8lb and 16lb casting kits of the same urethane resin we use for our DiamondCast® blanks. We quietly switched to this in the summer of 2023 and have poured thousands of pounds of it since then. If you've bought blanks from us since then, this is what you were turning.

Highlights:

• 18 Minute Open Time
• MUCH Better UV Resistance than leading brand Urethane resin
• Better color separation (You can pour at 85F and still get excellent separation)

Your castings will stay clear or retain their original color longer, without having to pay a premium for the better performance.

In stock here: https://www.mckenziepenworks.com/collections/thermoset-urethane-clear-casting-resin

4lb Kit Price: $60.68
8lb Kit Price: $105.20
16lb Kit Price: $184.96 (Best Value)

UV Lab Testing:


Datasheet:

 

[duncsuss]

Hi Tim -

I've got a bunch of Fordite chunks that I intend to cast as a block then slice up into pen blanks.

So far the only casting I've done has been epoxy resin, it was okay but nothing spectacular and the fully cured resin seems a bit rubbery (not as hard as, for example, blanks I've bought from you or Jonathan Brooks). I like a combination of some opaque color and swirls of semi-opaque that has mica powder mixed in.

What types (or brands) of dye would you recommend that are compatible with your Thermoset resin? I know I shouldn't use water-based or alcohol-based dyes, but would like to buy something recommended rather than trial & error.

Thanks!

Duncan

 

[McKenzie Penworks]

Hi Tim -

I've got a bunch of Fordite chunks that I intend to cast as a block then slice up into pen blanks.

So far the only casting I've done has been epoxy resin, it was okay but nothing spectacular and the fully cured resin seems a bit rubbery (not as hard as, for example, blanks I've bought from you or Jonathan Brooks). I like a combination of some opaque color and swirls of semi-opaque that has mica powder mixed in.

What types (or brands) of dye would you recommend that are compatible with your Thermoset resin? I know I shouldn't use water-based or alcohol-based dyes, but would like to buy something recommended rather than trial & error.

Thanks!

Duncan

Apologies for the delay Duncan! Pretty much the same that works with Alumilite urethane... NOTHING with water. Alumilite dyes work great, as do Smooth-on. Or of course, any mica powders. Be sure you dry out that fordite and it doesn't have any leftover moisture in it.

Somewhat related... Some epoxy is softer but what I've found is that usually epoxy ends up soft because it needs more mixing than you'd think. We did a test comparing hand stirred vs machine stirred and noticed a big difference in final cure between the two.

 

[duncsuss]

Thanks Tim - I'll snag some Smooth-on "SO-Strong" dyes, there's a set of 9 colors on Amazon and I've got a gift card I can put towards it. Already have a sampler-pack of mica powders.

Placing an order now ...

 

[duncsuss]

Last night I completed my first pour (with this resin - I had one prior using epoxy resin) and I'm really happy with the result.

Following Tim's advice, I used Smooth-On colors, and mixed in Eye Candy mica powders. Mixed up 4 separate lots - yellow, blue, green/blue and black. The only part where I wasn't sure was when the yellow hit 90 degrees before the black hit 85 - I took the chance and waited for the black before starting to pour into the mold. Put it in the pressure pot at 55 psi until the remnants in the mixing cups no longer felt tacky - a little over 4 hours.

I'm really happy with this result - going to make a ballpoint for my wife (that's the toll for pretty much every new material I get) and then a couple of fountain pens. The smaller block (left over after the large one got to 7/8" thick) will do nicely for nib sections.

(btw, the northern lights effect in the photo is from strong sidelighting in full sun)

Thanks Tim! @McKenzie Penworks