Feather Pen Casting

[woodchips4u]

I have yet to try casting . . but I came across Shane Whitlock's tutorial page last night which has about 31 pages of step by step instructions on casting feathers for a resin pen.

http://www.shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0528.jpg.html

(This is the link to the last image - but you will see the index on the left hand side and the first section is labeled "plugs".

Lots of pictures and wow! What an end result. Makes me want to give it a try. Have a look! .....:)

[Raynald]

Very interesting how he does this, makes me want to run out to H.F. and get a pot. I already have the feathers.

[marelton]

I´ve just got to try this!

[spike69]

I definately want to try casting, that vacuum pot thingy...is it necessary?
thx
:cool:

[dalemcginnis]

I definately want to try casting, that vacuum pot thingy...is it necessary?
thx
:cool:


Only if your casting something in the resin. The purpose of it is to make any air bubbles as small as possible.

[spike69]

Only if your casting something in the resin. The purpose of it is to make any air bubbles as small as possible. And this cant be done just by stirring it?

also is their an easy alternative to using resin? say building up the tube with CA glue?

Thanks for the info,much appreciated

:cool:

[dalemcginnis]

Stirring is what usually produces the air bubbles. Some use an ultrasonic cleaner to get the bubbles out instead of a pressure pot. I suppose you could build the tube up with CA but that would take a lot of CA. Cheaper and easier to cast in my opinion. Another popular material to cast with is Alumilite. It is more expensive than PR, but those who use it swear by it.

[spike69]

I do have a ultrasonic cleaner, what do I do just put the casting in it without water?

once again thanks for the help
:cool:

[Sawdust]

I use an ultrasonic in my lab work. The water is what transfers the energy. Running it dry can damage the unit. I would assume that one would place the container of resin with its contents and place it in the water. You would probably have to weight down or at least prop up the container so that it doesn't tip. That's my lab experience anyway. Hope it helps.

[dalemcginnis]

I haven't actually used a cleaner myself but it is my understanding that there is some water in it and some put the resin in it before they add the catalyst and others after. You can get a lot of info from the guys at IAP http://www.penturners.org/

[spike69]

ok great,I will keep this in mind

Thank you

cheers
:cool: