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1st Picture Blanks

Gadget-UK

Graduate Member
Joined
May 18, 2018
Posts
820
Location
Nr Blandford Forum. Dorset. UK
First Name
Colin
After reading up on all the advice, taking on board the do’s and dont’s
I have finally got around to giving it a go.

25E614C6-00F3-44E4-BC94-62BE67BD8638.jpg

Crystal Clear and looks ok.
Wait until tomorrow now to see how they turn and if I actually managed to get it right. (For a change :praying: )
 

Gadget-UK

Graduate Member
Joined
May 18, 2018
Posts
820
Location
Nr Blandford Forum. Dorset. UK
First Name
Colin
Well this has been a steep learning curve :rolling:
Both blanks have been turned and I am really pleased with the Acrylic, no bubbles, crystal clear and turned really nicely (at least I got that bit right)
The pictures I chose are certainly NOT right for pen tubes AND I have to stop being so impatient :thinks:
The pictures are to “Busy” and “Dark”

6C9F335C-CFEE-41CC-ABDF-88AA8E117047.jpg
DA48D286-E8C9-45EA-AFAE-38B766A004B2.jpg
One is Darth Vader - Dark figure on a dark background = no good.
The other is the Avengers - far to much in the picture
Also didn’t wait long enough for the glue to dry properly even though it felt dry :rolling:

Never mind it’s all about learning and I have learnt some very good lessons today.
Onward and upward :thumbs:
 

Paul hd

Fellow
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Posts
1,299
Location
Buckinghamshire
First Name
Paul
Paul
It’s called a Gator Mold
You get them from Mr Blanks
http://http://www.mrblanks.co.uk/shop/4593444804/maneater-dogbone-mould/11288605
Scott Walker is a great guy and really knows his stuff :thumbs:

Hi Colin,

I thought I recognised them. Came across the Man-eater products on IAP a few months ago, don't remember seeing the dog bone shaped mould.

Agreed, Scott is a helpful guy. I have had a couple of moulds from him, unfortunately the Pen blank mould has started to disintegrate at the ends, I suppose nothing lasts forever.

Cheers,
Paul
 

Sawes

Registered
Joined
Jan 1, 2016
Posts
258
Location
Doncaster
First Name
Scott
Hi Colin,

I thought I recognised them. Came across the Man-eater products on IAP a few months ago, don't remember seeing the dog bone shaped mould.

Agreed, Scott is a helpful guy. I have had a couple of moulds from him, unfortunately the Pen blank mould has started to disintegrate at the ends, I suppose nothing lasts forever.

Cheers,
Paul
Sorry to hear the mould failing. Like you say though nothing lasts forever. The use of mould release helps extend life of moulds and is a must with the gator moulds.
If it one of my early pink or green moulds drop me a message and I will sort out a discount on the new ones. I stopped using the pink and greeb rubber for tube in moulds as found it just not up to the task and now use a different one that I can also colour to my preference.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk
 

Paul hd

Fellow
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Posts
1,299
Location
Buckinghamshire
First Name
Paul
Sorry to hear the mould failing. Like you say though nothing lasts forever. The use of mould release helps extend life of moulds and is a must with the gator moulds.
If it one of my early pink or green moulds drop me a message and I will sort out a discount on the new ones. I stopped using the pink and greeb rubber for tube in moulds as found it just not up to the task and now use a different one that I can also colour to my preference.

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

About page - Mr Resin Blanks
Mr Resin Blanks - Home | Facebook

Hi Scott,

I have the purple coloured ones. No worries, I think I can get a few more from the mould. Each time I cast, a little bit of silicon gets stuck to the blank. The walls of the mould are fine.
 

Gadget-UK

Graduate Member
Joined
May 18, 2018
Posts
820
Location
Nr Blandford Forum. Dorset. UK
First Name
Colin
OK Gents & Ladies if any about.
Cleaned off the tubes, new pictures and went through the whole process again
1: Clean off tubes and paint (Acrylic White Paint)
2: Allowed to dry and stuck on the picture with Waterproof Glue/Sealer (Modge Podge)
3: Allowed that to dry (its been VERY hot in my workshop today so didn’t take that long)
4: Make sure everything is dry and clean and put them in the mold ready for acrylic
5: Mixed acrylic and poured into Mold
6: Straight into Pressure pot at 40psi
7: 7+ hours later the acrylic is spot on crystal clear - no bubbles and solid
Problem is the paper has gone dark AGAIN :sob::sob::sob:

What am I doing wrong :thinks:
ANY help greatly appreciated :pray::pray:
 

Harry

Full Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2014
Posts
183
Location
Dunfermline
First Name
Harry
I have made a fair number of pens using images printed on high resolution inkjet paper. I stick them on with Tacky Glue and seal them with two coats of Mod Podge, waiting overnight between each step. What I have found critical is taking great care to seal the ends thoroughly to avoid the resin soaking in. BTW, I use PR for casting and no pressure pot.
 

Gadget-UK

Graduate Member
Joined
May 18, 2018
Posts
820
Location
Nr Blandford Forum. Dorset. UK
First Name
Colin
Really big thanks to everyone that has offered help and advice.
Believe me it has all been very greatfully received and acted upon :thumbs:

I have just taken out the 3 blanks I have tried this time around (after all of the advice) and so far so good.
NO Blotches on the paper
NO Bubbles in the Acrylic
No Issues (so far)
They really do look spot on this time.

I am going to leave them alone now until next weekend (very busy week with work :sob: ) and THEN I can get to grips with turning them into pens :praying:

Thanks again everyone, not one for giving up but your help has certainly made my life easier :thumbs::thumbs:

Photos of finished pens to follow (Hopefully :whistling: )
 

mallard

Full Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2018
Posts
63
Location
Bristol, UK
First Name
Ian
I guess it is just practice that gets a picture the right size to go around a tube and meet with a very tidy join. Does the ink not "run" when it is covered with the resin ?
 

Bucks

Fellow
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Posts
1,425
Location
North Yorkshire
First Name
Paul
I guess it is just practice that gets a picture the right size to go around a tube and meet with a very tidy join. Does the ink not "run" when it is covered with the resin ?

Hi Ian I make & sell these Label Sizing Templates & Alignment Jigs to make the job of sizing & applying the labels a lot easier. The ink dosent run if you use the correct paper, I use waterproof matte labels available from a company called online labels.com, but they’re not cheep, you should be able to get something similar in smaller quantities somewhere like amazon.

2E142903-1261-4851-A800-D40E33ADD033.jpg
 

DaveP

Apprentice Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2018
Posts
20
Location
Dumfries and Galloway
First Name
David
What am I doing wrong ANY help greatly appreciated

An extract from my own learning curve.... Pritt stick for gluing the paper to the tube (use an old credit card to scrape off all but a very thin layer of the glue) and then umpteen coats of cheap firm hold hair spray from lidl / aldi to seal and protect the paper & ink.

Hint... Placing the tin of hairspray (or any spray paint / varnish for that matter) in a jug of hot water helps with the spray 'mist' and also speeds up the drying / recoat time.
 
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