Which Casting Product do You Use?

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JD Combs Sr

JD Combs Sr

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I was just over in the "Vendor's Sales & Discounts" forum where Alumilite is promoting a great sale. I posted a question over there but then thought that it might be better if posted here.

Someone asked "Which version of aluminite do you guys usually buy?" So I basically repeated the question but added, " Does anyone know the advantages of Clear over Water-Clear other then the stated differences in pot life and tensile strength?"

Which one do most of the pen blank casters use? (in this post please also comment if it is PR(by name) that you use.
 
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Watching this one JD...Still have about 2 gallons of Michaels to go thru, but I see a pressure pot and Aluminite in my future. If you haven't checked them out...some great videos on You Tube that Mesquiteman did...got a lot out of 'em
 
Alumilite Regular and White are opaque--no light getting through. Perfect for making solid color blanks, or multi-color swirls, and no pressure pot is needed for these. If you want to have translucent blanks, using mica powders and the ability to perceive depth to the piece, you need to use Clear or Water Clear. Both require you to paint the tubes, use a pressure pot (some may get by without, but I would never do it) If you want a clear tube, say with a stamp or cigar band inside, then go with Water Clear. If you are going to use dyes and mica powders, Clear would be fine. Now, I am sure some posters will disagree with some of this, because much of this depends on what you get used to using, and your skill level with using it. For a beginner, the above advice is a good start. Beyond that, its up to you and your comfort level with experimentation. One more thing... from experience I know that pouring your own blanks is addictive!
 
Jim Burr said:
Watching this one JD...Still have about 2 gallons of Michaels to go thru, but I see a pressure pot and Aluminite in my future. If you haven't checked them out...some great videos on You Tube that Mesquiteman did...got a lot out of 'em
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Jim, a pressure pot and a vacuum chamber are a couple good assets to have around when casting I believe. Have review many of Mesquitemans vids and have learned a lot. I use his Cactus Juice stabilizing resin frequently.

Brooks803 said:
From what I understand the new CLEAR version is supposed to polish up and have the best shine.
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tkbarron said:
Go with Clear. It handles the heat generated from turning and sanding much better than Water Clear.Tom
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Thanks Brooks/tkbarron, exactly the kind of info I was hoping for.

Leviblue said:
I hope the clear is the correct one since I just bought a gallon :rolleyes:
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Leviblue, Base on the above I believe my next order will be clear, just got to get threw the half gallon of water clear I already have first.:rolleyes: Also have two quarts of PR that I should use up first also.

toyotaman said:
Just fixing to start. Ordered my Simlar 41 today. Hopefully I will have the rest of the items by the time it gets here.
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Not familiar with Simlar 41(seen it on here alot) just haven't tried it, relatively new at casting anyway.

OOPS said:
Alumilite Regular and White are opaque--no light getting through. Perfect for making solid color blanks, or multi-color swirls, and no pressure pot is needed for these. If you want to have translucent blanks, using mica powders and the ability to perceive depth to the piece, you need to use Clear or Water Clear. Both require you to paint the tubes, use a pressure pot (some may get by without, but I would never do it) If you want a clear tube, say with a stamp or cigar band inside, then go with Water Clear. If you are going to use dyes and mica powders, Clear would be fine. Now, I am sure some posters will disagree with some of this, because much of this depends on what you get used to using, and your skill level with using it. For a beginner, the above advice is a good start. Beyond that, its up to you and your comfort level with experimentation. One more thing... from experience I know that pouring your own blanks is addictive!
Click to expand...
Thanks OOPS, some more great and helpful info.
 
Yep, Jonathon got it right. The crystal clear has a higher gloss than water clear. Otherwise, as far as I can tell, they almost identical.

The crystal could be a little softer, too. It sure seems to mill easier.
 
Andy, There is no longer a Crystal Clear. It is just called clear now.

Clear is the formulation that I helped Alumilite develop specifically for pen turning. It polishes much better, has a longer open time, and is even safer than Water Clear.

BTW, Clear is NOT softer than Water Clear. Both have a Shore D Hardness of 80.

Here is a link to the various Alumilite formulations and some technical data. I have also made that thread sticky since this type of question comes up frequently.

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f43/differences-alumilite-forumlations-88906/
 
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