Where to start and how

[dale]

I imagine you all have had this question alot of times.
But being new to pen making I want to learn to pour some blanks.
So my question is this
1 What is a good material to start with.
2 What does a person need to make his first blanks
3 Can it be done without a pressure pot? I dont have one yet. and dont want to invest alot of money as I am just starting.
4 Harold (splinter99) in his DVD was showing a two part product that he mixed and placed in a pressure pot. But what was interesting was he had added coffee beans and some kind of pasta in the molds then poured the ? what ever he was using over them then placed it in a pressure pot.

Thats enough for now dont want to wear you all out.
dale

 

[rjwolfe3]

1 - either PR or alumilite but either has different working properties
2 - lots of money - mold, cups to mix, popsicle sticks, pigments or dyes, pressure pot
3 - Yes but you run the risk of visible bubbles
4 - pretty much anything can be added (or has been tried) but the results are varied - best to use a pressure pot if you adding stuff.

Lots of good info in the library - could also pm some of the casting geniuses to pick their brains

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Daniel]

I made blanks without anything added to them without a pot. But keep in mind that your end results are very likely to be more satisfying if you go with what has been discovered by others. bubbles are an issue.

Rob pretty much covered the list of items needed. pouring your own is not cheap, it is custom.

 

[cnirenberg]

1 - either PR or alumilite but either has different working properties
2 - lots of money - mold, cups to mix, popsicle sticks, pigments or dyes, pressure pot
3 - Yes but you run the risk of visible bubbles
4 - pretty much anything can be added (or has been tried) but the results are varied - best to use a pressure pot if you adding stuff.

Lots of good info in the library - could also pm some of the casting geniuses to pick their brains

Good luck and have fun!

Rob,
You forgot patience, patience and more patience. You are right on about "lots of money"

 

[Smokey7385]

I imagine you all have had this question alot of times.
But being new to pen making I want to learn to pour some blanks.
So my question is this
1 What is a good material to start with.
2 What does a person need to make his first blanks
3 Can it be done without a pressure pot? I dont have one yet. and dont want to invest alot of money as I am just starting.
4 Harold (splinter99) in his DVD was showing a two part product that he mixed and placed in a pressure pot. But what was interesting was he had added coffee beans and some kind of pasta in the molds then poured the ? what ever he was using over them then placed it in a pressure pot.

Thats enough for now dont want to wear you all out.
dale

This may be the easiest and cheapest way to get started casting.
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKCASTKIT.html

The price has gone up recently by $5. I am using this kit right now until I get a pressure pot and start doing more casting.