Worthless wood pictures

[toyotaman]

I'm looking for pictures of your pen blanks and pens that were truly wastewood. I'm curious of what I can and cannot cast with PR. I've got some beautiful Spalted Oak burl that is perfect for this. Some of it is in 2 pieces but matches up very well. Would it work since its in 2 pieces?

 

[Buzzzz4]

Definitely. Although, I don't work with PR for something like this. I like Alumilite with pressure for a cast like this as it will really get into the nooks and crannies.

 

[toyotaman]

What exactly makes Alumnite so much different than PR? I hear that it cures much faster. Where can you get it at and I might try some later on. I would rather have the gallon size. It would probally be cheaper.

 

[Buzzzz4]

Right now you can get it at 20% through Alumilite.com The gallon size is actually 2 gallons. A pressure pot is a must as it will force the Alumilite into the crevices and eliminate the bubbles. To me, Alumilite is very easy to work with, has no odor and you can make the blank and turn it in the same day. I don't know if PR will work for this application. I know some have tried it.

 

[Justturnin]

I still use PR for my WW and Live Edge blanks and have had great success. One day I hope to move to Alumilite but it is not in the Budget yet. I place he Resin in Hot water and get it super thin and pour it into the Mold w/ the wood. I use 6-8 drop of catalyst per weight oz of Resin. Let it set under pressure for about 18-24 hours and bring it out into a approx 130 degree toaster oven for about 1 hour and turn off the oven and allow to cool in there. Release the mold and you should be golden. This is the process I found that works for me and I tested on a bunch of less then georgeous wood before moving to my really neat looking WW and Live edge.

 

[Dai Sensei]

I've been casting for years, cracked stuff through to worthless scraps of wood, plus heaps of other stuff. Unfortunately Alumilite is not available in Aus, unless you pay huge $'s, so only use PR. Like Chris, I heat resin and use pressure pot usually over night. Sometimes when drilling and turning there are separations, but thin CA fixes that easily. Only advice would be to use thick coating of CA finish to pens, as the WW does move more than the PR, so as it doesn't stick as well as Alumilite it can crack the finish over time if it isn't thick enough.

Below are just a few

Cheers