I took one more video of the castings cut from the molds before turning by the customer.

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Thanks Jerry.

Sorry about the dragging my feet so to speak. Others asked me to try and be informative so I did what I thought was best. There are a lot of factors that can play into casting and as you have mentioned already, others should take note.

As for your mixing cup size, please seek containers more suited to project volume. I have numerous cups, cans, pails...etc to mix in....even used yogurt cups for the small casts.

Time wise for mixing pouring, the temperature of your work area can effect the set up/mixing times, regardless what the manufacturer states. I live in Canada and my shop is usually @ 65 degree in the winter. Summer temps can get up into the +100 sometimes. So this plays into casting parameters. Hence, this is why I keep a Casting Log Book for recording "everything".

The thing people seem to disregard is that the resin is going to be placed under pressure. If there is any air trapped in the wood or bubbles in the resin, this air is going to be compressed in size (smaller) depending on the amount of air pressure (capacity) that you can apply to your pressure pot. More pressure, smaller air bubbles or the porous nooks and crannies that you speak of are going to be filled with resin. This will reduce the visual volume you would have calculated for or calculated using another loose form such as beads of glass or rice. There is a consideration required to compensate for the density of the wood, such as buckeye burl compared to hard maple burl. If you plan on using spalted woods, they too will adsorb a lot of resin, but like I mentioned it's all dependent on the capacity of your pressure pot.

If you want to see a video of the finished casting (similar project) you can search my YouTube channel for Where's My Bowl Blank" and watch me turn the mold away from the casting. I do primarily disposable molds for casting burls because no two burls are alike. You can also review my tutorial here on the site where I make a Candy Dish using the exact same technique of mold making. Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or

I hope that helps clear up any questions for you. Please ask away if you need more help.

Dave

Dave Bell wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2015 at 6:42pm:



Dave, no need to apologize. I was referring to from the time you put A&B together, you seemed to take much more time than I would have. I was watching the video on pins and needles, as the Alumilite would have jelled by that amount of time here in Arizona.

I have one question. My gallon jug of "A" side is starting to collapse, and all I've used out of it is about a quart. Should I put it into a smaller container as I use it. "B" side jug is keeping it's shape....

When you poured your your liquid into your mixing container, I noticed you did an outstanding job. I would have over poured, or spilled the stuff all over my scale.

I'm using a quart sized glue bottle with the spout.  No spills yet, but I'm watching that I go into the mixing container, plus watching the scale. It's aggravating, but I'm getting used to it. ............ Jerry (in Tucson)

Jerry Marcantel wrote on Jan 4^th, 2015 at 4:13pm:



Pins and needles in Arizona....yes, I would have been in the same frame of mind. Like I said before....your shop temperature is important in the over scheme of things. I timed the pour I did and it was 7.5 minutes out of the cup....I talk a lot apparently.

I've never had my A side jug collapse and I have never had a shelf life issue either. I did have a bad batch of B side once that was replaced by Alumilite because of a known problem. Like I mentioned in the video, I decant from a 5 gallon jug to the one gallon jug.....no problems.

Pouring...I guess I have done enough to have a routine now.??? When I first started I used the 32 ounce bottles because of the spouts......but I found they took to long when I moved into larger volume castings.

After a while this becomes second nature, but I still keep following the same steps over and over......it's easy to make mistakes, especially when you start to hurry. Complacency is going to be your worst enemy, so put out a little step by step paper on the bench and have it for reference. Keep your records immediately after the cast.