How I cast my blanks

Hi Folks, just thought I would share how I cast my resin blanks. I started casting because I felt restricted by the limited choice of commercially available acrylics and polyester blanks that we all see online and at the shows. I was inspired to have a go by seeing some fantastic blanks on a penturners forum and thought I would have a go. Lots of time, cash, and cursing later I felt I had done OK. Like everything though there is plenty to still learn and mistakes to be made.

I made this rack using some ash faced mdf and drilled a series of holes in two different sizes. The tube in the middle is just the handle.


Here the tubes are in the rack ready for the pour. I place a piece of polythene over each hole before pushing the tube in so the resin doesn't stick to the mdf. (I now use empty cereal packets instead of polythene as they resist the resin really well.


Here we are, a full pour ready to go into the pressure pot.


Here's a batch in the bottom of the pot. Plenty of room in here for two layers if only I could pour them fast enough. (I know, socks with sandles:nonono: it's cold in there!!)


And here's a couple of batches that came out really good.




Thanks for looking, hope you like them.

Eric...

Hope you like them I love em are you going to start selling them our friend Rowdy has been turning out some stunning blanks which I am in the process of turning I'm not sure I would have the patience to do it and the thought of the smell turns me of so I do admire people like you who make there own blanks well done

Thanks for sharing that Eric, its very informative. The blanks you've finished look great and I'm sure that if you decide to sell them there would be plenty on this forum that would like to buy some.

I would buy them

Eric you wear your talent well mate beaut work and thanks for simplfying the process.\ most appreciated. The simplest method I have seen so far.

Peter.

Stunning blanks. Thanks for showing your ideas !!!

They look great Eric ...can't find your web site by Googling ..your going to have to come clean and name it .

Try Buy resinpenblanks came up top of page for me

I am now able to update my profile and add a sig.

Eric...

Thankyou for taking the time to post your method, it's something I would really like to try when I can find some time. Looking through your site is also very interesting, some lovely blanks on offer.:hypnotysed:

Thanks for the info, Eric - they look good, matey!

Bob.

The blanks look very good, checked on your website seem to be good value

Very nice Eric, some great looking blanks you have Sir .. How do you pour in the mixture and not get it all over the place ..

I use three 90grm cups and try pouring all three together, but i tend to miss the tubes quite a bit ..

Hi Eric

I had a poke about on your website and your blanks look very interesting indeed. Will definitely give them a go next time I'm ready to buy.

Bob

Jim said:

Very nice Eric, some great looking blanks you have Sir .. How do you pour in the mixture and not get it all over the place ..

I use three 90grm cups and try pouring all three together, but i tend to miss the tubes quite a bit ..

Click to expand...

Hi Jim,

here is how I do my multi coloured blanks.

First yo make one of these...


Then one of these...


Then put them together like this...


This enables me to pour upto 4 colours at once with very little waste...


The stainless rods act as stoppers so that you can stem the flow as you move to the next mold. I know it's a bit Heath Robinson but it works for me.
Give it a try, you can even use the four tubes to do a 2 colour blank but do twice as many at once. I manage to get about 14 blanks from 1 pour.

Eric...

That looks ingenious Eric it shows there is always a way if you really want it

Love the pouring Tool Eric, may nick that idea.....

Hi Rowdy,

Feel free to try my technique and if you make any improvements then I hope you will share them with us all.

Eric...