HUGE DragonFly/Resin Experiment ..''I Couldn't Believe what happened'' !!

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🙊🙈🙉 NICK ZAMMETI DISCLAIMER
Please note that my channel is for entertainment purposes only. You should NOT rely solely upon the information and techniques discussed and displayed in my channel.
I'm not a professional woodworker or woodturner and working with machinery can be dangerous.
It is recommended that you fully research each technique and decide for yourself what the safest possible work method is for you.

[@AJHyland63]

The reason you lost the colour is that insects colours are not a “dye” in the skin ( such as melamine is to skin) but because the colour is due to light refraction and reflection off the chitin microscopic structure. When you cast in resin, the resin fills in the microscopic structure and changes the reflection and refraction angles so that the light is no longer bounced off the structure in the same way. Changing the type of resin you use may change the way light moves through the medium.

[@MadebyaBEAutifulqueenBea]

Yes. you are correct. I remember the reflection part. Lol. I wonder if there is a way to resin a dragonfly or even a butterfly. Butterfly would be harder though.

[@gewoonik687]

First of all great comment! Thanks for that more people should see it. Great way the explane the proces. However insects can make colours, our red fooddyes are made of beetles just to give an example. However it is verry species depending if insects can or can't make a surten colour. Nature has difficulty with specific colours like blues and purples which are some how hard to produces for animals in general. Alot of insects can make colours like reds, browns, blacks and whites. Interesting fact butterfly wings work verry much the same way so do some birdfeathers.

[@Darkshizumaru]

I’ve seen a lot of beetle and bug resins. Typically the best thing to do is paint them with reflective paint. I do not foresee a different resin working. It likely split from the water still in the body or the different pours caused the temperature to fluctuate and fracture it like ice in a glass

[@spire4101]

If you soak it in acetone it won't lose it's color. That's how you preserve them for display. Works with resin as well. They just break down if you don't preserve them before encasement.

[@kerielwatson3197]

@@spire4101 since I'm often using freshly dead insects, the water in them can play havoc with the resin. So I set mine in isopropyl soaked paper towel while the water evaporates off. Keep spritsing it with fresh isopropyl for about a week, letting the paper get damper each time. It's similar to the technique used for prepping insects for display pinning. Because the insect will still be damp with isopropyl, you can position it carefully with less chance of bits breaking off.

[@Anonarchist]

Nick's funeral: "it would be a shame to let him waste away, so we preserved him in resin."

[@heyitsimme2335]

Anon archist 😂

[@dancingfilly7355]

Anon archist 🤣🤣🤣

[@renszarvashegyvideki7331]

Butterflies garden

[@urbanodebora]

Lol.

[@CaroleHaddon]

Don't risk it!!! The dragon fly cracked!!!

[@IAMMEDUSA]

I love the way you show what can happen. Most people make it look like everything comes out perfect every time when it really doesn’t.

[@johnwallace4408]

Nick, next time seal the subject with 2 to 3 coats of spray lacquer. I have found this helps tremendously!!!

[@impressme7991]

I have a huge blue and green dragonfly that I would love to put in resin. I know resin heats up and ruins the bugs color so what spray should I use?

[@johnwallace4408]

@@impressme7991 clear gloss spray lacquer!

[@themadhousediaries]

Thanks for sharing

[@kerielwatson3197]

@@impressme7991 enamel and lacquers are the best sealers for resin though polyurethane can also help in a pinch

[@andyalexrauff6535]

damn thanks for that John I should've done that instead of preparing the corpse :c too much work

[@RyuRaeArashi]

I'm not sure how long this guy was laying around exactly, but as they dry they become basically just hollow shells. He looked flexible enough that he probably needed more drying time (you can speed this up in an oven on very low temps, again can be looked up). There are ways to preserve most bugs so that they can be encased in resin well (I collect them), just have to find out what each type of bug might need (very hard shelled beetles can handle more than something like a delicate spider). It can also depend on what type of resin you use, I believe some work better than others depending on how hot they get/etc. It is also the best to use as little resin as possible for bugs, so thin layers vs a big thick chunk. Possibly for what you wanted to do doing many very thin layers over time? But generally bug pieces are either flat thin slabs or jewelry pendents, I'm not sure that it can be scaled up without first encasing the dragonfly in a very thin resin layer. If you ever feel like incorporating bugs again there's a lot of tips you can look into! Whenever I've looked into doing my own bugs in resin, I believe they avoid vacuum/pressure pots entirely, as the bugs are very delicate already and a few little bubbles are expected when casting something like that.

[@he-mansuncle7661]

I have some Cicada’s that I have been saving since last summer. I’m going to spray each one in a light shellac just to be safe to hopefully keep the color. A couple have the eyes dried up so I’m going to be putting some green glow pigment for the eyes lol

[@SeriousBurnsUnit]

Do you think a dragonfly can be stabilized before it's put into a cast? BTW, the dragonfly skin is not just coloured. It has tiny structures that refract blue light. When you put the skin in resin, the light will refract differently, which is why the colour went away. It might help to spray the the body with an anti wetting agent or something to keep a tiny air layer over the scales. edit::corrected the explanation of skin colour.

[@stephenmagness5999]

Ya

[@stephenmagness5999]

Ya the more dry that he is maybe that would work. Lol

[@ACrazyKat]

Needed more drying (yes) , also sealing like you would for paper/ & inkjet prints... mod podge then clear acrylic spray, also remember all the air inside cavity. .. maybe take your syringe with epoxy or SC1 or bondo inside cavity (after fully dried) to beef up

[@shiftey304]

The soul of the dragonfly escaped, that's what happened.

[@10Mbowman]

my thoughts excatly!!

[@MindToMade]

😂

[@dawnmason9558]

Escaped... he blew his way out!!!

[@DenisJava]

As I suspect also.

[@patackermann9868]

Precisely what happened

[@lxfxmstr]

No disappointment at all! As a craft project it was instructional. As a science experiment it was amazing - really interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@eleathoro]

Hi, Nick. First of all: I love your work. And for this particular proyect, do you know kintsugi? Is the japanese art of repairing things with gold. If you fill that crack with gold colored resin and turn it into a sphere, you will transform you failure into a weird (and funky) piece of art. Then you can turn a wooden base for it with the "never surrender" moto. It would be awesome.

[@TheJcris87]

maybe spray the next dragonfly with clear coat first? to keep the resin from getting into the dragonfly and ruining the color?

[@deploribusunum3894]

Jcris87 Good idea! I'm thinking skip the presser pot too.

[@Wolfhound.]

i agree seal the next one to protect it and the resin from any issues

[@almagill]

/nods Back in the 70s when my dad and I made keyrings and paperweights for craft sales, bugs and flowers got a good coating with either hair lacquer or sprayed on shellac. Couple of coats to form a layer between the fragile stuff and the resin then shallow layers of resin till it was covered. Dang, i need to get some more resin and have an experiment..

[@serenapeters3257]

Yea maybe a good coat of hairspray first. And no pressure pot indeed.

[@EdTheMole]

I think it was the heat that the resin generated that destroyed the color.

[@bigstackD]

Matey if I never uploaded fails I wouldn’t have a channel 🤦🏻‍♂️. It’s refreshing to see even the master can have some fails 😁

[@davidmaher2482]

At least he didnt melt the thing, lol

[@bigstackD]

David Maher not yet Dave not yet 🤔

[@TOTHEPOINT82]

Do a project together.

[@kbrown6543]

Agreed! I'm a smaller channel and upload both the wins and the fails. It's all about CREATING and with that comes risk of not knowing the outcome! Thanks for This video!

[@momadhis]

bigstackD Casting that is what exploring is all about.

[@Dolphinsong1]

The dragonfly project isn't a complete waste.... Could always turn the halves into a set of bookends =)

[@sirsmartypants7086]

I like how you show us your failures too. Like you said life isn't always sunshine and roses

[@spicybeantofu]

We all can learn from others mistakes. Collectively we can grow.

[@Shadowquacker]

The colour of the dragonfly body is caused by iridescence (the microscopic structure of the surface) so the resin is probably interfering with it.

[@Anonarchist]

the color went off before it was fully covered in resin, i think the heat from the curing resin degraded the color and wilted the wings.

[@cherinuchell4578]

Thank you, worded that perfectly.

[@CoinsAndCapsaicin]

Dragonflys always lose their color when they die. Very few ways to stop it.

[@kjellbjorge5271]

Nick you know what would make a perfect project for you to try. Try to Preserve a freshly opened Rose in resin.

[@Mandela219]

I think you have to dry them out still otherwise they will brown as the resin sets. I have seen people use a special drying powder medium that allows it to dry while holding its original shape. And alot of the color stays as long as it is dried properly.

[@hannadupras-amero4794]

Fresh flowers rot in resin. You have to dry them first.

[@hannadupras-amero4794]

You can use silica gel to dry them and hold their shape. Or press them in books.

[@Kat.go.]

The heat of the resin will heat up the moisture in the plants or flowers... they have to be dried

[@devinmichelle6214]

Peter Brown just did that on his channel if you're interested... I'd like to see Nick do it as well but in the meantime there's always Peter's video.

[@heyitsimme2335]

*Nick:* this dragonfly is really beautiful. maybe we can preserve him and admire his beauty and memory forever. *Dragonfly:* Hell no!!!! My soul will never stay in your prison and f your resin project too!

[@Me-th3gj]

I'm me too.

[@xVxANGELTEARSxVx]

This was still pretty neat to see. You tried preserving a beautiful life. Most people would’ve swept up poor Steve and thrown him away

[@bluemtnsman]

When casting butterflies a few years ago I learned that,,, 1) to preserve the colors you need to spray them ALL over with several coats of acrylic clear coat. 2) cast the base first and allow to cure out,,, do your color idea in this layer only. 3) AVOID a pressure pot to keep from blowing the guts out of the critter. 4) LIMIT the volume of resin in topping pours and allow near 100% cure to avoid cooking the critter.

[@robertstephens767]

I’m Glad you did show this project, it goes to prove that not only the beginners and amateurs the professionals have things go bad on them.

[@engaginghurghhurghhurghhur9759]

Yup. Trial and error.

[@allisonlovejoy7422]

I found a dead butterfly in one of the cracks in my driveway. I kept him in a bag. I named him Joe. In October he'll be three. And butterflies don't decompose the same way as other life. So he's color is just as bright as the day I found him. I love Joe. He's a great friend. Also either this year I got to hold a dragonfly as it had rained and his wings got wet and was stuck on the ground. that was Really cool too.

[@martylawrence1092]

Your resin simply got too hot as it’s curing. I’ve had the same thing happen. Too much exotherm causes stresses inside the curing resin and cracks it, and melts things. A lot of comments think that the moisture or gases in the dragonfly caused the crack but that could not be possible seeing as it’s in the pressure pot at probably well over 40 psi. That would mean the dragonfly would have to have produced well over that amount of pressure. That’s some fart!! It’s too much exothermic heat. Have you switched to a new resin? Or got your ratio wrong? Or simply too big a pour?

[@DanicusPrime.]

That's exactly what happened. Too much resin for the size of the dragonfly, and the resin got way too hot, especially for that (assuming it's plastic) plastic container. The exothermic nature of the resin expanded because of the heat.

[@Vexedart]

Had the same thing happen during a thick casting. Believe it was the exothermic reaction that happens more rapidly depending on the volume. Disappointing seeing all that resin go to waste.

[@1980Johnnie]

It was the bottom layer that cracked as well.

[@ChrisJ-mf7cj]

Am very new to this but wanted to ask about the bubbles on top of the resin. Shouldn’t the pressure pot have removed all of those tiny bubbles on top and around the dragonfly? Obviously the heat thing makes sense, I just wanted to ask about the bubbles as well. To me, that was all just very interesting and since I’m so new exactly NONE makes sense to me other than the heat which I’ve learned the hard way about. Tried to grow into my big boy pants too quick and ruined something because of lack of experience and knowledge. But I’m still young on my journey even though I’m an old retired military dude. Using this to help clear my mind from PTSD and keep me calm. It’s a nice stress and everything is always a nice excitement and surprise right now.

[@pentallica893]

I'm guessing you boiled the liquid in the dragon fly and the pressure blew it open?

[@simonesmit6708]

I agree. The dragon fly wasn't fully dry and the internal moisture blew out when under pressure.

[@holotype9022]

Maybe dry them in the oven at a low heat next time?

[@AngryNorwegianFisherman]

Cast in shallow layers to keep the heat down

[@DragonMRA]

@@simonesmit6708 its possible it was the air inside the dragonflys body not water

[@HuskyMama1009]

My thoughts too. Because the bug (huge!!) wasn't dehydrated/ mummified the resin couldn't cure

[@Dragonited]

As several have already mentioned the Dragonfly wasn't dry enough and the heat from the resin curing process expanded the water that blew out of the Dragonfly cracking the resin. You should apparently soak especialy larger insects in denatured ethanol for several days so that the water gets replaced and then let it dry on a paper towel so that the ethanol evaporates. Just air drying it will cause it to shrink and maybe even break apart. You should also use a polyester resin that just needs a few drops of a catalyst instead of mixing equal parts of resin and hardener since you don't have to mix the resin as intense and don't create as much bubbles. Using a pressure-pot might also be a bad idea since it will risk collapsing the very fragile insect. That's why polyester resins are better since they release the bubbles better and goes clear without the need for a pressure-pot. You can also use other long cure time resins that also will realese their bubbles without the need for a pressure-pot. You should also do the pour in at least three layers and letting it harden a little between each. First one in the bottom, then a small layer that you place the insect in then finally a top layer that covers it.

[@tovahromanov7414]

I almost started crying....ok, I did. They are my connection to my Grandmother. She taught me that they have a very important place in the chain of life. I was not to ever be afraid of them. They have very very important jobs to do to keep our ecosystem in check and balanced correctly. When she passed, it was a time of year that was far too early for Dragonfly’s. When we were at the Cemetery for the internment I told her how much I loved her and how much I’d miss her every day and that no one would ever teach me as much as she did about being the best person I could be. She was truly the Deity of the family. At the graveyard I was truly inconsolable. All of a sudden, out of nowhere, a huge Dragonfly landed on my shoulder. It was almost as if she was there, saying “It’s ok, I’ve got you.”. When we got home later that day, the side of my house was COVERED in Dragonfly’s. No one else in the neighbourhood had a single one. That year I had so many all around my house. That was over a decade ago and to this day, when I have a struggle or a query for my life and I make the RIGHT decision, a Dragonfly appears. Could be one flying by or, if it’s winter, somehow one appears..... on an envelope in a stamp....a sticker on a car that passes me. The list is never ending and it’s beautiful. I’m sad this didn’t work out for you but another one will appear for you when your ready and have figured out exactly what to do differently so it’s perfect.♥️ I love your channel. You are VERY talented and have an amazing spirit. You make us laugh (today I cried but it was happy tears). Keep up the amazing work (is it REALLY work when you love what you do?) as we love being a tiny part of your creations and watching them unfold. Please stay away from coconuts. They don’t deserve that. 😉

[@cash3394]

The dragonfly tried to resurrect in the resin. You cant contain the dragon.

[@APillowSays]

If bug bodies are like humans when they die it probably started releasing gases while it was decomposing in the resin. The gas build up in the pot probably caused the crack

[@omotolaoyeniyi631]

The exothermic reaction while the resin cures may also exaggerate the gas release

[@TC-bz9dz]

I don't think it was a gas release because I have preserved several types of bugs ,including dragon flies in resin and I've never had that happen....and most have been dead 1 or 2 days when the bugs went in resin and I've never had that happen.

[@toddcolvin1273]

I had the same thing happen when i tried to put an orchid flower in resin. It actually looked like it COOKED the flower.

[@josi4251]

I have found that flowers turn very dark in the resin I generally use. Very disappointing. I also gathered up some lovely pale purple flowers. That type of resin made them all GREEN. Didn't dry them beforehand and it was hideous.

[@Ashen.Elixer]

A lot of resins heat up, so it probably did!

[@scratchnsniff7528]

Could you hit the flower with some clear coat acrylic spray paint before putting it in the resin? Not sure if that would mitigate any heat issues but possibly impregnation and darkening issues?

[@scratchnsniff7528]

@cat moth A clear coat or spray lacquer would act to seal in the moisture in somewhat? Or at least stop it from reacting with the resin, I'd have thought.

[@lakukaracza1878]

Yeah, you need to dry whatever you're casting. And I mean desert dry. Flowers and leaves (and even dead bugs) can be dried in silica gel to maintain their shape. Or flat dried in books. No sealeant will help, because any moisture in resin will give nasty effect or won't even cure properly at all. So - no water, no moist. And all living creatures are made mainly from water. So. Get rid of the water first, then resin :)

[@TheRipperLiz]

Damn this reminds me of the time I found a dead dragonfly and decided to put it in a lunchbox to bring it to Kindergarten with me, because it was so interesting and pretty. We kids were having a blast looking at this cool dragonfly, because normally we weren't able to get so close to one. Also our teacher told us all really cool facts about these dudes. But I forgot about my lunchbox and the dragonfly pretty quickly ( You know kids get distracted very easily). After about a week my teacher finally reminded me to take home my box. I did not know decomposition existed at this age so I opened the box to take a last glimpse at this beautiful dragonfly. The smell was horrific. I puked. Anyway I enjoyed the video.

[@AlpacaMade]

Dessication; put old Steve's friends & relatives in Silica gel

[@harrigoldsmith8280]

They lay legs in the pond and the babies live as larvae for 4 years before emerging as dragon flies at this point they have short lives as dragon flies and live for a few week from emergence.

[@nicolishoss7116]

Steve tried to escape n break out the pressure cooker like some kind of hulk dragonfly 😂😂😂

[@melammutumultus4654]

I was with my granny when she set a dragonfly in resin, it's been 40 yrs but I think she treated it first and the resin she used didn't get hot that I remembered. I still have it.

[@MiddleAgedGeekGrrrl]

Failures are an important part of any crafting process. I’m glad you uploaded it, it gives a reality to being a maker.

[@roj705]

Hiya Nick!! Maybe try a plastic dragonfly? The idea was a great one. Wish it did turn out, would've been awesome to see. Love the videos.

[@jeffharmon7927]

Always remember the greatest teacher in life is our failures. same thing happened to me when i cast a carnation 2nd time i did in small layers letting each layer cure

[@adrianlords9500]

Thank you for sharing even the failures. It is always nice to see people willing to experiment even things don't always work out.

[@DS-ky9dl]

This was not a complete failure. Perhaps as a decorative object, but you did learn something from it. Now you have to figure out how to keep it from happening again. Carry on, Nick!

[@MindToMade]

Certainly happens Nick. It just happened to me on my latest project but I think I will post it anyway because the process is cool 👌

[@Valkyrie2421]

Happy Funky Friday!! That Dragonfly is beautiful and the project was a great idea. Hope you enjoyed Spain, turns out I was in the same area while you were on holiday!!

[@richardorta8960]

I watched a dragonfly in my back yard for about half an hour as it hunted a wasp. Never got to see if he got his meal, the wasp was crawling in and out of the grass as I was leaving. People often forget that these beautiful bugs are predators! Seriously, tied with the praying mantis family these are my favorite insects!

[@hawkblood_art]

For anyone wondering what went wrong - sure I cannot tell exactly - but as someone who has some experience on taxidermizing bugs in resin I think I have an idea. So usually before you can safely put a critter into resin you need to 'sanitize' them from any potential bacteria or parasite that could've caused death and furthermore decompose the body. Usually this is done with isopropanol or other alcoholic solutions that are used in sanitizing. Then you usually pin your soft wet specimen into the pose you later want it to be and let it dry out for a few days to weeks. Only then it is "clean" to put in resin. Furthermore a lot of people usually put them in resin in layers and upside down to prevent air bubbles under wings or the legs :)

[@LeanneRende]

Great effort, they don't all come out perfect. Next time try sealing it first after letting it sit on a shelf for a couple weeks to make sure it's dried up 👍🙋😎 until the next one 💖

[@tracey6034]

Bruh this mans just blew up we have to get a camera watching the pressure pot at all times

[@Annedebruyn]

i have been on various channels watching turning and resin work and i must say yours is definitely one I keep coming back to i like the new version of you not the start of your program I like crazy shows and yours is the best entertainment I have had love your videos

[@elizabethrainbolt9443]

I really appreciate you sharing both your wins, and your opportunities for learning. You rock!

[@richsmout550]

Could you fill the crack with resin to repair it? Awesome project though. I don't have a pressure machine so could it have just been shear volume and pressure?

[@mikiyork4874]

What a fitting video butterflies and dragonflies symbolize peace and calm to me when things start going hectic with my daily life (bipolar brain, I feel crazy sometimes) if I ever see a butterfly or dragonfly I know everything will be ok!! So thanks Nick... now I know I will get past this!!🤗🤗🤗 even if 'Steve ' didn't turn out the way you wanted... but hey....book ends!!

[@DrewMarold]

I know this is an old video, but I'm glad you show the projects that failed. For someone like myself just getting started using resin, you watch all these cool people on KZbin doing amazing things, then when you try it, it turns out like crap. It's easy to get discouraged if all you see is success after success. I'm always glad to see people I follow post their failures because it reminds me that they screw things up too, so keep trying and you'll get there eventually.

[@seagreen42]

I have a theory and a suggestion after talking to friends at work - Theory: It's possible that the crack happened because the dragonfly has an exoskeleton, perhaps the sudden release of the contained air/pressure all at once caused the crack. Suggestion: Apparently you can preserve dragonfly colour by spraying them with ammonia (I've not tried this, but am told it works) this is apparently the method used when pinning them.

[@Aisyla._.]

Reminds me of the Jurassic Park cane casting.

[@SixRavenEight]

What a beautiful dragonfly! I love dragonflies, they're lovely as well as helping to keep the mosquito population down. I reckon maybe the resin cracked because his little free spirit wasn't going to be trapped inside. : ) Maybe you can use one of the pictures you took to create a resin, Steve? I enjoyed the video anyway. ♥ Also, welcome back home, I enjoyed your holiday pictures on Instagram.

[@boycepatrick1825]

I grew up around lots of Dragonflies, I Loved Them, so much so I got a tattoo on my arm of one !! I've got quite alot of great comments, Likes ! I live in the state of Washington, but got the tattoo wen I was in No. Carolina, now I think I want to get one of a Firefly, see how it goes ! Wish I had that Dragonfly that you found in ur home tho !! 😔🙄💞

[@embee7434]

I greatly appreciate this video and the fact that you are not contributing to unrealistic expectations. Keep being awesome.

[@2011Kestrel]

Most resins I’ve used generate heat while setting (hence the saying “let it cook” while curing). With such a large amount of resin and not a lot of material in it to absorb the heat, maybe you literally “cooked” the dragonfly. And the crack was due to thermal issues during cooling.

[@LiliHope10]

Love ur honesty nick and doesn’t matter succeed or fail it’s all learning 🙌🏾🙌🏾🌸🌸 respect

[@DenisJava]

Thank you for showing a "failed" project. We learn so much from failures, even the failures of others. I have a pair of black-faced hornets that followed my husband inside (after he accidentally mowed over their nest in our yard). I'd like to dip them in resin or something like that and make a pair of earrings. I've never worked with resin at all, so I don't know how to go about this. Watching this video and reading some comments gave me some ideas of what not to do.

[@TurnedByStuart]

good for you Nick for showing warts and all, lessons learnt for all of us.

[@blackhawk2788]

Dragon flies are just beautiful

[@angelabarton2551]

I had a green metallic dragonfly land on the tip of my finger in my back yard 3 years ago I was in awe!! They are as you say very beautiful

[@blackhawk2788]

ANGELA BARTON I’ve never seen a metallic green one before I have seen a metallic blue and purple one though

[@mr.robinson1982]

Dragonflies are awesome. They eat mosquitoes, moths, flying ants & other flying insects. Thanks for the close up. As a fly fisherman, I tie my own flies. Im going to attempt to copy your dragonfly.

[@conniemiller5910]

I love watching your videos. I really love that you show the failures as well. You have given me the idea that I might could do this as well. Thank you for being real. I am a fan. ;)

[@devinotten4030]

He exploded the dragon fly from the pressurized container 😂😂😂 I shouldn’t laugh but I was waiting for this lol.

[@christopherpappas7474]

Nick, I am sure Steve is looking down on you from 'bug' heaven and glad his earthly shell helped you on your journey of discovery...:) What a beautiful dragonfly Steve was...:) 'In memory of Steve... RIP little buddy!'

[@lauraweber9636]

As Bob Ross says “there are no mistakes only happy accidents” love that you shared.

[@thomashughes_teh]

This video adds character to the entire channel. Some days it's puddles, bent artificial tulips, and tire tracks.

[@123aviavo321]

Thank you for trying to give Steve a second life, it's kind of sweet... 💚

[@Dotzek0n]

The dragonfly had air in him mate, next time coat him with resin and block all the ways the air could escape its body =)

[@DEmma1972]

Do dragonflies have an anus? I think some males only live a few hours or days

[@james_7718]

@@DEmma1972 insects don't have lungs, there are pores/pockets throughout their body that inflate the necessary airsacks. This difference in anatomy makes them have lower density and process air more efficiently, so it is very likely it had some trapped air.

[@DEmma1972]

@@james_7718 I didnt say they have lungs. I asked if they have an anus (as a joke). Did you know that if you burp and fart at the same time, you will implode

[@TheHotEndChannel]

too much resin at once, exothermic reaction

[@rhysallen7972]

I was wondering if that was the cause, I've heard you shouldn't pour more than 25mm thick in one go?

[@brandonnieuwenkamp1672]

This is what I love about your channel. Your not afraid to show when things go wrong and usually you figure out how to roll with it this was certainly one of those times when it just wasn’t meant to be, but good on you for posting it anyways

[@dianaf1669]

The buzzing sound in the beginning made my Golden Retriever jump off my couch and leave the living room. I had to watch this alone! LOL

[@iamnoone.]

The good, the bad, the ugly. Sometimes thing's go bad

[@heavenhelpus6624]

Moisture in the dragonfly body caused rotting produced gases, & pressure cracking epoxy. Drying it out might have prevented this.

[@chillaxter13]

Really appreciate you sharing this one! Really inspiring to try new things without sweating the failed attempts...

[@Bizzymuma]

Can't be disappointed, you improved my crappy day. Thank you, muchly!!!

[@sypeiterra7613]

F in chat for the dragon fly

[@tokestermarshall]

I would have thought that the pressure crushed steve leaving a cavity hence the cracking. Just a thought. Disclaimer: No actual facts were presented in this explanation just the incoherent mind fart of a man who just woke up. Thanks Nick.

[@lottatroublemaker6130]

45 years ago, I got a kit for Christmas with resin and amongst others a dead/dried sea horse to put in resin. Very cool. I also put an antique silver family crest found on the inside of an old coat, but that was a bad idea, it turned all black inside...

[@heidbumbee1689]

Well done for showing this. It doesn't always go perfectly, and we learn more from mistakes and it's always reassuring to learn that we are not alone in making mistakes

[@ZeusTheImortal]

Balls of steel, I'd never be able to hold one like the way you did Also First

[@Raz0rblad3R0manc3]

Maybe Steve still had some moisture inside, which caused the resin crack

[@kellswitch]

I've said it before, I'm glad when you show the projects that don't quite work out. I think it's important for up and coming makers to see that not everything works and not only is that okay but that is how you learn. When all you see are creators successes it can make you feel like a failure when something you do doesn't work.

[@geekywolf2648]

This was incredibly helpful for me, I'm trying to start a channel and was feeling a bit down, thank you so much for this!!! I helped me so much!!

[@lisachamberlain4491]

It looks like the dragonfly spirit escaped through the resin. That's why it split in half.

[@mseymour6933]

Others have mentioned the volume + heat + moisture issue; and although definitely not an expert, I agree. I, too, have tried a dragonfly in resin. My issue wasn’t moisture (I pinned and dried the specimen for weeks first - my nerdy entomology Master’s at work!), but after removing from the pressure pot, I found significant, unsightly air bubbles emerging from the dragonfly’s head. So, yeah, gotta pre-fill(?) cavities with resin (per other KZbin vids, too). Live and learn! Nick, thank you for your awesome channel and for showing your successes and failures! I think that honesty is the sign of a true master in his/her field!

[@karenellshore4515]

Thanks Nick, it is very helpful to see these things, keep experimenting for us to follow and to have a go

[@lindseyaurora6953]

Thanks for showing this Nick. I too found a dragonfly in amongst some flowers. I put it in a jar where it's been for about 10 years thinking of casting in resin but maybe safer not too. 😉

[@samanthasherrard162]

Nick: oh he’s quite fragile too Me: -vividly remembering the time my cat knocked over the box my regal darner (aka a species very similar to this one) was in and I had to preform a surgery (a toothpick up the tail and glue for all the other parts and then a pinning to keep his parts in place)-

[@wildappalachian1]

I had a piece that broke the same exact way. The problem is you used a resin that was not made to be used in large quantities. When the larger quantity of resin starts curing, it produces too much heat and cures too fast. When it cures too fast, it's not an even curing so it breaks from the stress. Try pouring in layers, waiting 45 minutes in between each layer. It's time consuming but it works really well

[@JengiX]

I'm SO glad that you show your 'mistakes' - it makes my own project mishaps not seem so dismal!!

[@ItsLadyJadey]

This was just the pure essence of the dragonfly escaping it's body.

[@Ahmed_El-sharif]

Honorable attempt Nick, the downfalls and explanation i could conclude from your video are as follows: 1- Epoxy expels heat when it cures (more considerable than most people think) that along with the vacuum you created caused the resin to expand causing in turn the beaker to puncture and the resin to fracture. 2- The thickness of the your pours was too much, this compunds the effects of the first point. Next time you try this i would suggest thinner pours, half an inch thick at most, only pour the next level once the previous level reaches a tacky surface texture and finally when waiting for your resin to cure avoid the vacuum pot and just leave the whole thing covered with a cloth at room temperature. Hope that helps, best of luck.

[@frankslittleworkshop]

Nice vid Nick 👍. Thanks for sharing. It makes us mear mortals feel better about ourselves 😁. Big shout out to Steve for services rendered... Think your next project should be a tribute to him... Keep up the great work 😁👍.

[@lisakoehler7313]

I'm sure someone already said this but I would guess this... #1: color- may have to spray with a clear coat to prevent interference with the hair like structures which give the color but that too could cause a problem. When I was a kid we used a very light spray of hairspray. #2: crack- when you placed in pot for pressure the insect was not 'dry' which possibly caused a gaseous reaction similar to decomposition? Just a guess. Maybe dry insect out completely or dont put in pot. Still very interesting to see what happens. Thank you for all your cool videos!!

[@kelliworley1229]

Honestly it is good to see I'm not the only one with goof ups lol. Thank you

[@artistirmafeliciarodriguez7752]

Thanks Nick for the video, Thanks for keeping it real and sharing what can happen, most people continue learning their trades for many years. Hugs and Blessings to you and your family

[@Excitable67]

Seeing that things go wrong is still a learning experience and maybe by showing what happened, someone will know what happened and can say what needs to be done to preserve the color, etc. Poor Steve, but at least you tried to give him a good send-off!

[@rscrom1]

Sorry the dragonfly project didn't fly.. it would of been funky for sure. Well keep waffling on good sir and thanks for showing not every project goes the way you plan. But you still have to pick yourself up and keep going. It's just like life. Thank you for showing us it's not "all sunshine and roses" have a blessed day.

[@alexisbond2678]

It was a good idea and thank u for still posting the video.

[@bettybert9819]

Hello Nick. The episode you did with the dragonfly enthralled me. I’m a huge fan of yours and I also claim the dragonfly as my karma bug. You would not believe my enormous collection of dragonfly items, clothing and images. I wasn’t surprised when the resin cracked open because it was never meant to be taken so casually. I’m hoping that you will do more wood turning with dragonflies as a serious subject. Yes, I’m a crazy old Gramma, but I hope you humor me. I am subscribed to you on Facebook, and look forward to your nutty approach to your pieces. Very enjoyable, and entertaining. You are a master at your craft. Carry on, Sir.🥂

[@Louisew1969]

Oh well, never mind, you've made some lovely stuff since I've been watching you. You can't win them all!! xx

[@joleenreitz2249]

Did enjoy this, its really refreshing to see that learning never seems to end. Try and try again as they say.

[@FredMcIntyre]

Great experiment Nick, looking forward to the next one! 😃👍🏻👊🏻