Sanctus Ferri Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I am looking to get into casting, and I was wondering if anyone has used Alumilite's Performance 80D resin? I liked that is was harder (80D) then most of the other resins I've seen, and had a slow setting time (30-60 min) to let the air bubbles dissipate. However, it seems to be a good deal thicker (290 cps) then what people seem to be using in most of the tutorials. As I've never done any resin casting, it's all presumption based on what I've read, and thus I would appreciate an opinion from someone who has actually had hands-on experience as to whether this would be suitable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Perils Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I'm also interested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW1 Posted August 27, 2015 Share Posted August 27, 2015 I was using Polycraft fast casting resin but the one I was using has been stopped and replaced with slightly different product. So once I finish off the current supplies I'll be looking into a new casting resin and trialling a few different ones. Current casting project is parts for a board. Which can be found here ... http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/289269-sw1s-scenery-project-finally-moulds-for-casting-pg-10/page-10?do=findComment&comment=4152899 What you want is a resin that has a low viscosity when pouring and enough of a pot life to allow pouring. However really long curing times just slows down your casting and over time really slows down production. I prefer something that can demould in 20 mins or so with a 5 min pot life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanctus Ferri Posted August 28, 2015 Author Share Posted August 28, 2015 I shall look forward to your resin reviews, then. You have some inspiring work there. I was getting into casting to do some custom character bits and bases, but having had a look through your thread, I've been filled with visions of multilevel cityscapes, ship interiors and the like. So, the impression one gets from your comment above and the ones in the thread are that 290cps is going to be a little thick to fill out all the details, is that correct? For what it's worth, I'd be looking at hand-poured, two-sided underfill moulds, without the benefit of vacuum pumps or compressors or such, until additional funds become available down the road for the expensive components. Also, I noted your comments on wasted materials. I was looking to get maybe 28-32 oz of resin. You are doing larger stuff then what I was going to begin with, but how fast do you go through you resin? How many of your tiles might that make, say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW1 Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 The amount of resin I go through varies depending on what I'm currently working on. If I'm just doing bases which was what I was mainly doing previously a 2kg purchase would last me a few months. Now I've got an 8' x 4' board to cover it's going to take the best part of 9kg. Not sure how quickly I'll be able to cast it so trying to work out if I should drop £150 on 10kg or keep to smaller purchases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW1 Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 So, the impression one gets from your comment above and the ones in the thread are that 290cps is going to be a little thick to fill out all the details, is that correct? For what it's worth, I'd be looking at hand-poured, two-sided underfill moulds, without the benefit of vacuum pumps or compressors or such, until additional funds become available down the road for the expensive components. I'm currently casting as you are going to do or just breaking things down so they can be cast up in single part open topped moulds. What you can do to simulate injection moulding is to have the pour point exactly the diameter of a plastic straw and attach a funnel to the top of it. Then pinch the straw close to the mould while you fill up the straw. Once you release the pinch gravity will force the resin through the mould if you have extra in the straw a final pinch near the top of the straw and then push down the straw forces the straws worth of resin through the mould. Make sure when removing the straw you continue to push through some resin so it doesn't cause a vacuum and pull some resin the other way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subtle Discord Posted August 29, 2015 Share Posted August 29, 2015 If the comparison is of any use, the Smooth Cast 300 (3 min pot life, 10 min cure) and 305 (7 min pot life, 30 min cure) that I use have a Shore D Hardness of 70 and I get nothing but compliments on the quality and toughness of my resin cast parts; even the thinnest features can be remarkably strong after a minimum 48 hour cure. With a mixed viscosity of 80cps it flows almost like water when it's first mixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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