Resin Casting with out a pressure pot....

[AndrewB]

I've been interested in trying resin casting and turning for bowls.  Although I'm not interested enough just yet to purchase a pressure pot.  I've been trying to research resins that I can mix that do NOT require a pressure pot and just time to cure with a bit of color as well.  I think I want to try a couple of times with the resin so I can get familiar with it if I ever decide to get into the resin stuff.  I do plan on going for the gallon bottles off the bat so that I know I have enough to make a couple blanks to test.  But I'm unsure of what I would need to pick up for non pressure pot resins, I did do a google search only thing I've seen in research so far is Polyresin and it's recommending adding color.  Now that I've got the lathe speeds adjusted Id feel more comfortable doing a bit of resin trials.  Any other info would be good to know thanks.

[Gene Howe]

Are you wanting to cast solid blocks for turning or, using resin as accents? 

[lew]

I believe that resin manufacturers suggest a pressure pot for absolutely bubble free pours. That said, there are techniques that can reduce the bubbles in a pour.

 

I am only familiar with Alumilite. There are lots of brands out there. Researching the brand you intend to use will be necessary for the best results. The folks at Alumilite have been posting a lot of how-to videos on YouTube. Including bubble reduction in a mix.

 

What @Gene Howe said is absolutely correct. You need to decide how you are going to use the casting material before you decide on what you need as far as equipment.

 

These are images of an Alumilite bowl I made. I do not have a pressure pot which could have reduced the bubbles.

Notice the void in the casting-

 

I used wooden shavings as a filler

 

 

 

The bowl was left rather thick walled. This was my first venture into this type of turning and I wasn't sure how much structural integrity the resin would have.

 

 

[AndrewB]

That's why I've been doing a heavy amount of research on it...  Eventually I do plan on investing into a pressure pot.   Its been a wanted item even before I knew about resin lathe turning and being able to make bowls from it.  I was originally going to get one when I was into blade smithing and melting metal until the point where I was told I couldn't do that anymore.  But it's always been on my wish list sort of say.  I've also wanted to do both plain resin bowls and of course with wood accents into it.  I may be holding off on the resin stuff for another month or two so I can do further research.

Edited July 31, 2020 by AndrewB

[Gene Howe]

@AndrewB, a HF paint pot can be converted to a pressure pot fairly easily and inexpensively. There's quite a few You Tube videos on the subject. 

[AndrewB]

I'm not very good with making tool conversions on things.  Its safer for me to purchase them then to try an convert.

[lew]

Just saw this on one of my social media feeds-

 

Amazing Clear Cast Plus. It's the epoxy you know and love, now with added UV resistance. Rest easy knowing your projects will last longer and look better when you use this truly amazing product.

Use code ACC+10 for 10% off online orders of ACC+

 

https://www.alumilite.com/products/

[AndrewB]

Yea I can't really pick up any epoxy in large  quantities right away this month.  Most funds went to a couple tools that I was able to mark off my shopping list.

[RustyFN]

Going to be hard to get rid of the bubbles. Try to get some cheap bowling balls. They are resin and make great bowls.

 

[lew]

7 minutes ago, RustyFN said:

Going to be hard to get rid of the bubbles. Try to get some cheap bowling balls. They are resin and make great bowls.

 

Cool Idea!

[FlGatorwood]

Isn't there a hard core to a bowling ball? I don't know how that would work out.  I need to research that.  

[AndrewB]

There is a hard core inside a bowling ball.......  Youd have to cut it in half and take out the core basically an instant bowl.  An instant and EXPENSIVE bowl.

Edited August 11, 2020 by AndrewB

[Larry Buskirk]

1 hour ago, AndrewB said:

There is a hard core inside a bowling ball.......  Youd have to cut it in half and take out the core basically an instant bowl.  An instant and EXPENSIVE bowl.

Got about 20 you can have. They make good yard globes. 

[AndrewB]

Not really trying anything with bowling balls lol,  still sticking to pens....  it was basically going to be for casting acrylic pen blanks in the future.

[Gunny]

1 hour ago, AndrewB said:

casting acrylic pen blanks in the future.

Before you go to all that trouble give acrylics a try first.  Some like them others hate them.  

[AndrewB]

I dunno I just like a challenge.....

 

I've also gotta pick up the supplies to sand and polish the acrylics as well I don't have any of that as of yet.

Edited August 11, 2020 by AndrewB

[HandyDan]

12 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

I've also gotta pick up the supplies to sand and polish the acrylics

I use Mequiar's Plastx from the auto parts store.  Works very well and I've used it on the brass shells too.

 

[AndrewB]

I'm assuming the plastics along with some sand paper correct?

[PostalTom]

If you're interested in infusing color in pen blanks, check out this site.  www.turntex.com/.  He uses vacuum chambers to infuse wood blanks with resin, which he calls Cactus Juice, and can also be mixed with colors for different effects.  Be aware, though, this system is expensive.  Each individual product is not too bad, but the compilation of items needed/wanted can be a slippery slope leading to a significant investment.  Similar to starting out in wood turning.  A lathe, couple of chisels?  How bad could it be?  Yeah, right.

[AndrewB]

exactly why Im tryin to start out small but I do plan on going with the pressure pot instead of the vacuum chamber.