Pen blank casting

[@HeathKnuckles_Tasty_Timber]

Beautiful pen blanks Pam! 👍 Thanks for sharing!!

[@Highlandboxes]

Thanks Heath :-)

[@MakingItOutOfTheWoods]

Ooooh this is so great - the start of your journey - and just look at what you do now!!! You have honed your skills for sure. Amazing 😊

[@busterwest1644]

2017, hope you have done more because I liked this one.. will check it out. Always nice to watch a UK version American videos have the ingredience that tend to be harder to source here. Thank you, just waiting for my first three blanks to cure . As Nick would say "Happy Days"

[@Highlandboxes]

Yes lots of casting videos and all my stuff is from the UK at house of resin mostly so easy to find. Hope your casting went well :-)

[@busterwest1644]

Thanks Pam, I followed your tip to House of Resin, got a little confused as I had an order pending with Metal Clay and further confused when House of Resin offerred your tutorial course.. In Dorset?? Geography not my strongest subject but Dorset and the Highlands seem more than a daily commute lol. Sadly bit too far from Kent but hope you get a good crowd.

[@simonrourke9817]

Nice video. Look forward to more. Would like to see how they turn.

[@Dermot40]

Pam can you do a video and explain how you made your pressure pot. I did my own pen and thimble blanks in the past and I used the water cleat polyester resin with pearlex a bit smelly though.

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi Dermot. Yes i will be really happy do a short video next week on the equipment i use and how i use it. Thanks for watching Pam

[@Highlandboxes]

just to let you know ive not forgot about video ive got a couple on the way soon.

[@nickzammeti]

Hey Pam, love these blanks. awesome . i didnt even know you did this sorry. im subbed now . All the best

[@vincentgordon7934]

I guess I'm quite randomly asking but does anybody know of a good website to watch new tv shows online?

[@waynee.2856]

You could maybe try Art 'N Glow casting and coating epoxy resin. It's pretty nice, don't let it get cooled down it will take longer to cure. It turns very well and doesn't stink like some other resins do when turning or cutting. I'm going to try the Alumilite resin and see if it's better or worse. Thanks for sharing and I do like the blanks you made. Too bad about the one that broke though. Have a great day?

[@Highlandboxes]

Thank you Wayne ive never heard of resin will look it up :-)

[@InspireArt]

What are those pen blanks used for?

[@hfranke07]

Easyflo 60 is another well used resin for blanks. I find the chipping of the last blank very interesting. I wunder if this could be something with the pot-life? I've never seen something like it. Do you have any ideas?

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi thanks for your comment. Yeh never had one shatter before ive no idea why, could be pot life the hammer didnt help lol. The other resin blanks all turned well no chipping these were made with same pot of resin. will look into easyflo 60 thanks again Pam

[@hfranke07]

Thanks... I live in Denmark, but I play the bagpipes, I love whisky, I love haggis and I would like to live in Edinburgh.

[@MrTosha43]

great blanks ,did you ever do an equipment video please

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi Tony i have a short one done, will upload it should be up in about an hour. Let me know if you want me to cover anything else. Pam

[@ElCalin]

Is that rain in the background sound? Awesome..!

[@Highlandboxes]

I dont remember if it was raining could be it rains a lot here lol. :-)

[@blaufman]

I saw you degassed each cup of resin in the vacuum chamber. Did you also degass when you poured the resin into the mould or just leave it to cure without degassing?

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi i just degassed in the cups then poured it into mould and left it. Hope this helps :-)

[@blaufman]

Thanks. That helps. Found out the hard way not to degass after combining parts A&B. on a related note, any advice for removing resin from the inside of the vacuum chamber?

[@insomnia7337]

@@blaufman Try a hammer :^)

[@steve-craftedmakes1639]

I hear your from the uk, may I ask where you get your resin from please ?

[@ronaldainaire7086]

What is the working time on the product you use? Always wondered how long the actual process from mixing to vacuum takes. Have been afraid to attempt the vacuum process to get enough time to do the actual pouring into the silicone molds. ron USA

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi Ron i get a good 40 mins before i need to get in the mould and even if i get 10 mins in the vacuum it gives me a bubble free casting. Test on a small amount just remember to put in a bigger cup as the resin rises in the pot during degassing. Many thanks :-)

[@ronaldomazzini6188]

Hello, my name is Ronaldo and I live in Brazil, I would like to know the name of the molds that you use? Is it acrylic? thank you

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi Ronaldo the white mould is hdpe (from a cutting board) and the other one is silicon. Hope this helps pam

[@patriciagillandjimm1075]

We are looking for a dog to go in the blank. Only thing we have found is a charm could any one help?

[@Highlandboxes]

Sorry Patricia cant help. Thanks for watching pam :-)

[@archerj2010]

I have a 60 lb Husky that could be made into many, many pens.

[@Highlandboxes]

Jake Archer try getting that on a lathe lol

[@TheDroidbuilder]

Maybe you can salvage that one by using some of the pieces in your next casting. Break it up into small pieces and cast it in a different color for contrast. Or even use the same colors so it will blend in. I know resin is not cheap. I don't even throw away my bits that are left over. Can't wait to cast all that into something larger.

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi Thomas thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes like you i keep all off cuts and i have kept the broken one and plan to recast them at some point. Did laugh at the fact i took a hammer to resin must have been a blond moment lol. Have a good day Pam

[@johngurney7087]

Nice surviving blanks, save the broken pieces you maybe could use them in your next pen blank pour. What part of the Highlands are you? My wife is from Fort William loverly part of the world, now in Australia for the past 43 years good luck with your future pours.

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi John im from ross shire. Fort William has some amazing views go there often. I have kept the broken bits and have added them to other pours adds another look to a piece. Many thanks :-)

[@bloodeagle2234]

Would you be interested in selling any blanks? I'm specifically looking for 1-1/2"--- by 1"- 5" for knife scales for knife handles. Can you make me some?

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi yes i make custom blanks get in touch with me through my etsy store. Thanks :-) www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Highlandboxes

[@currancalligraphy]

Hi Pam, Just looking into making my own blanks, I like the aluminite range but want to know how many pen blanks do you get from the bottle sizes you use and is it worth it to buy the bigger 1 gallon size. Like the video by the way : )

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi edward you dont get that many from one 500mls bottle maybe five. I now use clear epoxy for all my pen blanks i live in the uk im not sure if your in the uk? epoxy gives me the same shine and its a lot cheaper and turns just like allumilte and also has no smell.

[@currancalligraphy]

Hi Pam, Thank you for the heads up, what type of epoxy would you recommend. I'm also in the UK do you find the humidity and temperature a problem with curing?

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi Edward i use this one www.easycomposites.co.uk/#!/resin-gel-silicone-adhesive/epoxy-resin/GlassCast-Clear-Epoxy-Surface-Coating-Resin.html Ive not cast in cold temp as i have a heater in shed for colder days and ive not had any problems with humidity as i did with allumilite. ive also used this www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Low-Viscosity-Ultra-Clear-Epoxy-Resin-UV-Resistant-2kg-Kit-/332102953680?epid=860209979&hash=item4d52e0ead0:g:jZ4AAOSwjL5ZBF0Q and its great just slightly more expensive i buy 5kg a time. Hope this helps pam

[@currancalligraphy]

I'll give it a whirl and see how it goes, thanks Pam your a star!

[@currancalligraphy]

One other thing will I need a treasure pot for these resin also?

[@jean-claudegolovine5725]

Hi. ave you tried: Polytek EasyFlo Clear Polyurethane Liquid Plastic Casting Resin" Size: 4 Litre Kit Price: £64.00 From MB Fibreglass. Turns really fine.... I have used this for quite a while. No complaints. They others too.

[@Highlandboxes]

Hi Jean-claude no not tried that one will keep that in mind though as always looking for alternative resins. Thanks Pam :-)

[@Highlandboxes]

Thank you Jean-Claude what an amazing setup bit beyond me i think lol. Pam :-)

[@jean-claudegolovine5725]

the controller is: Temperature Controller STC-1000. Lots of videos on KZbin. Insulation is: Biard Double Aluminium Bubble Foil Insulation. The tape I used is: No1 Packaging 190288 1 Roll 48mm x 45m Aluminum Foil Insulation. The bin is: 100 Litre 100L Extra Large Black Plastic Dustbin Garden Bin Clip On Locking Lid Heavy Duty. The connector inside the black box is: 15A Plastic Housing 10 Position Wire Connector Barrier Terminal Block. The black box is: ELECTROMART ABS BLACK PLASTIC ELECTRONICS PROJECT BOX ENCLOSURE 177 X 120 X 83MM. The light holders are: Komodo Ceramic Lamp & Bracket sgl. All the Amazon.co.uk! I have seen a couple of videos of yours. I am certain you can build this in no time at all. Just some cable and plugs and you are running! :-)

[@steve-craftedmakes1639]

Sorry I've just seen in your drop down

[@Highlandboxes]

No problem steven glad i can help.

[@johnobrien4014]

Couldnt understand too much. Need to fix your audio next time

[@secretagent3764]

Why didn't you show how you pour it? Crap