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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: Mad Max on February 03, 2021, 02:54:38 PM

Title: Resin casting??
Post by: Mad Max on February 03, 2021, 02:54:38 PM
I want to do some of this.
Poring into 2 molds, cure it, and gluing a I beam between the two pieces.
I don't want to vacuum it unless it is necessary.
Question
I want to use black resin. What kind?
where to get it?
Smooth-on to glue the 3 pieces together?
and any other advice you have?
 :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Shredd on February 03, 2021, 03:21:49 PM
  Bowyers Corner on FB would be a good place to ask that question...  There is a guy on there that does it all the time... But I think he may be a bit secretive about what he uses...  You may not have to glue the pieces together...  Just mold it up all as one...
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Shredd on February 03, 2021, 03:22:53 PM
I think he could be possibly using acrylic...
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Mad Max on February 03, 2021, 06:21:35 PM
On facebook I asked for a riser blank, he said 2 pores about 1" thick and it needs a I-beam for 130.00 + shipping.
 and I need my own I-beam.
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Crooked Stic on February 03, 2021, 08:38:44 PM
Turn Tex sells casting resin. Think you have to do it with pressure pot.
And I think the wood is stabilized first then the voids cast.
If you only doing one ya might be better off buying it
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Mad Max on February 03, 2021, 08:40:13 PM
 stic :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Pat B on February 04, 2021, 09:15:36 AM
Mark, contact Clint Anders(osage outlaw). He just posted a bow that was made for him with osage shavings floated in a resin riser on PowWow last week.
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Flem on February 04, 2021, 10:06:38 AM
This is good stuff and it does not need to be degassed. Plus it can take being recooked into a bow.
You would need to buy some of their UVO black colorant also if using Smooth-On.

https://www.smooth-on.com/products/epoxacast-670/
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Roy from Pa on February 04, 2021, 10:38:00 AM
 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Longcruise on February 04, 2021, 11:22:47 AM
This is good stuff and it does not need to be degassed. Plus it can take being recooked into a bow.
You would need to buy some of their UVO black colorant also if using Smooth-On.

https://www.smooth-on.com/products/epoxacast-670/

Interesting information,  Flem.   I'm not planning to do any casting but the reference to the Epic Thinner got me wondering if it could be used with EA40.   I've posed the question to tech support and I'll show the response here.
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Flem on February 04, 2021, 11:36:08 AM
You can definitely use Epic thinner with EA-40. I use it with Smooth-on Epoximite resin to lower viscosity for vacuum infusion.
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Longcruise on February 04, 2021, 12:11:19 PM
You can definitely use Epic thinner with EA-40. I use it with Smooth-on Epoximite resin to lower viscosity for vacuum infusion.

Do you use the epoximite in bow lay-up?
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Flem on February 04, 2021, 12:34:46 PM
I do. I don't use much EA-40 anymore, just personal preference. it's quality adhesive and does make an excellent gel-coat.
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Mad Max on February 04, 2021, 12:53:08 PM
I would think it needs to be clear Flem.
Here is some clear ones

https://www.smooth-on.com/products/crystal-clear-200/
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Longcruise on February 04, 2021, 01:16:17 PM
I do. I don't use much EA-40 anymore, just personal preference. it's quality adhesive and does make an excellent gel-coat.

I just vacced a sample of the hexcell between a glass cutoff and a maple lam cut off using EA40.  Had to rub it hard to get to where it looked saturated and i see what you mean about some glue along the edges!  That's why I asked about the Epic and EA40.   May switch but,  one side excursion at a time.  :)
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Flem on February 04, 2021, 01:16:49 PM
True, it might be hard to get to black starting with the beige resin. They do make a black casting resin, but it has filler in it, which might not be a bad thing.
I don't know anything about clear acrylic casting resins, I have only goofed around with epoxy's. Probably work fine as long as its compatable with your adhesive.
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Longcruise on February 04, 2021, 07:38:24 PM
Here's the response from Smooth on regarding the epic in EA40

Quote
Hello Michael,
thank you for your interest in our products. While the Epic will lower the viscosity of the EA-40 it may reduce its bonding strength and the data relating to the materials performance as well as the other physical properties listed in the Technical Bulletin would not apply. Unfortunately, we do not have test data for the EA-40 with the addition of the thinner so we can't say for certain what you can expect in the short and long term performance.

If you have any additional question

I guess for thinner stuff I might go to  Epoximite or maybe Huntsman.   The old versamid would be thinner but I don't see it at least on the Bingham site.
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: BigJim on February 06, 2021, 05:50:50 AM
I do some casting with allumilite. I put G10 I-beams in everything I build so I'm golden no matter what.

I also pressurize all my castings to rid the blocks of air bubbles. I don't vac them as there isn't enough time in a 12 minute pot life and it's not necessary.

Coloring is easy and so is a deep pour.

I would do more of it but there just isn't enough time in a day to play and build. The casting works great on scrap pieces not big enough for an entire riser. I doubt I'll ever have enough time to cast up all the scrap buckeye I have.. and i just keep making more!
BigJim
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Mad Max on February 06, 2021, 07:25:48 AM
Are you using AE-40 to glue the castings to the I beam?
Thanks Jim
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: BigJim on February 06, 2021, 10:36:57 AM
Yep, EA 40. No issues.

BigJim
Title: Re: Resin casting??
Post by: Crooked Stic on February 06, 2021, 08:26:16 PM
Hmmm Jim you should donate some of them buckeye scraps to this poor guy  :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: