[Woodworkers] Reusable Resin Forms

Tue Nov 22 11:30:48 PST 2022

John,

   Thanks. I’ll check it out. 24 hour cure?

Chuck

From: John McCaskill <jmccaskill at gmail.com> 
Sent: Monday, November 21, 2022 5:37 PM
To: woodworkers at sawdusters.org
Cc: KAREN MACK <emmrys at comcast.net>; chuck.steger--- via Woodworkers <woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org>; chuck.steger at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [Woodworkers] Reusable Resin Forms

ALUMILITE CLEAR SLOW IS A GREAT CASTING EPOXY RESIN

A mixed metaphor walks into a bar, seeing the handwriting on the wall but hoping to nip it in the bud.

On Nov 21, 2022, at 5:29 PM, John McCaskill <jmccaskill at gmail.com <mailto:jmccaskill at gmail.com> > wrote:

You should try a River Board for a charcuterie board… colored with Mica powder. WOOD look great😆 with colored resin and WOOD👍

Send us pics 

A mixed metaphor walks into a bar, seeing the handwriting on the wall but hoping to nip it in the bud.

On Nov 21, 2022, at 2:44 PM, chuck.steger--- via Woodworkers <woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org <mailto:woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> > wrote:

Karen,

   Well I hope you are happy now … you created a monster 🤣. I’m looking at everything plastic now – even pulling milk containers out of the trash 😊.

   But seriously, not only am I a wood hoarder but I also collect used large-mouth glass jars and plastic containers for the finishing room. Just the other day I realized I had way too many containers and filled a 33 gal trash bag with them. And today I’m cleaning a whey protein container that I just used and I see it’s HDPE. So now I have to get back in that trash bag for other potential HDPE products <sigh>. So this will be for a much later (if ever) project. I did like the multicolor cutting board since that is really unique. I doubt I would never turn a pully or something like that. And making a white cutting board that I can buy at the Dollar store will probably never happen. The uniqueness of something like the multicolor is the appeal. But even that can be purchased on Amazon. The satisfaction is knowing you did it while learning new skills. 

   So, question for you or anyone on the list ……. If it doesn’t have any marking at all, assume it’s not HDPE? Example, the milk jug container says HDPE but the pink plastic cap says nothing. Same with a water bottle. The bottle is clearly plastic but the blue cap?

   Sorry for these questions but Pandora’s box was opened 🤣. And, as I said, it will be a while, if ever, but it’s fun to think about for future gifts.

   Now, back to my charcuterie/cutting boards …. I poured some sample resins yesterday to play with coloring etc. I’m using 2” – 4” deep pour because that’s what I used for my first table. However, it has a 3 day cure. I’m thinking I should switch to a 1” pour because it’s a 24 hour cure. However, when I price them, they are more expensive than the deep pour. In my mind, I thought that would be reversed. You have to read carefully because table top pours are only up to ¼” thick. 

   Does anyone have an affordable resin they recommend? I realize “affordable” is subjective since resin is expensive. 

Chuck

From: KAREN MACK <emmrys at comcast.net <mailto:emmrys at comcast.net> > 
Sent: Sunday, November 20, 2022 11:55 PM
To: chuck.steger at gmail.com <mailto:chuck.steger at gmail.com> ; woodworkers at sawdusters.org <mailto:woodworkers at sawdusters.org> ; chuck.steger--- via Woodworkers <woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org <mailto:woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> >
Subject: RE: [Woodworkers] Reusing Resin Forms

Toaster ovens are available on the second hand market for cheap. :) 

Look for the little triangles symbols with a 2 inside. Lots of pretty colors. 

Karen

On 11/20/2022 10:54 AM chuck.steger at gmail.com <mailto:chuck.steger at gmail.com>  wrote: 

Karen,

   Thank you for those videos. The creativity of people are amazing! I’ll start paying more attention to my “normal” HDPE stuff. However, that’s for another time 😊. Looks like you need some dedicated stuff in the shop or face the wrath of the significant other 😊

Chuck

From: KAREN MACK <emmrys at comcast.net <mailto:emmrys at comcast.net> > 
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2022 6:38 PM
To: woodworkers at sawdusters.org <mailto:woodworkers at sawdusters.org> ; chuck.steger--- via Woodworkers <woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org <mailto:woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> >
Cc: chuck.steger at gmail.com <mailto:chuck.steger at gmail.com> 
Subject: Re: [Woodworkers] Reusing Resin Forms

What I am talking about is HDPE that you have in your home in the course of life. These YT videos show a bit of what can done with it. 

            <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erlZ-FdBB2I> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erlZ-FdBB2I 

            <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx2B55YG4SY> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx2B55YG4SY 

I have saved a bunch but haven't tried using for myself....yet. 

Karen 

On 11/19/2022 2:28 PM chuck.steger--- via Woodworkers <woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org <mailto:woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> > wrote:

Steve,

   Right, but size would be an issue there. Grainger’s sells sheets of HDPE of differing thicknesses. A ¾” x 12” x 24” sells for $34 and I would need two. However, I already ordered a 12” x 24” form so I don’t need it anymore. I am going to pour a one-off (for me) what I call a Turkey size cutting board (maybe 18” or 20” W by 30ish” L) I looked at the ¾” x 24” x 48” and it’s $127. In this case, even a disposable form is much cheaper.

   Even though I have a form coming, I am still going to build my version so I can pour two at a time. Plus, it will let me know if I can make reusable forms in conjunction with mold release.

Karen, 

   Not sure what you mean by save up your HDPE. I don’t have any to save. If you mean save money to buy HDPE, see above. I’m a hobbyist - If I were selling tables, etc. it would absolutely be cost effective.

Chuck

From: Woodworkers <woodworkers-bounces at lists.sawdusters.org <mailto:woodworkers-bounces at lists.sawdusters.org> > On Behalf Of Steve Bigelow via Woodworkers
Sent: Saturday, November 19, 2022 12:28 AM
To: woodworkers at sawdusters.org <mailto:woodworkers at sawdusters.org> 
Cc: Steve Bigelow <sbig333 at gmail.com <mailto:sbig333 at gmail.com> >
Subject: Re: [Woodworkers] Reusing Resin Forms

Sorry, I guess I wasn't clear... There are HDPE cutting boards you can use to make your molds. These are the white plastic cutting boards found at Dollar Tree, etc.

Regards,
-Steve

On Fri, Nov 18, 2022 at 3:56 PM KAREN MACK via Woodworkers <woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org <mailto:woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> > wrote:

Or save up your HDPE and make your own molds. 

Karen

On 11/18/2022 5:02 PM Gary C Williams via Woodworkers <woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org <mailto:woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> > wrote:

Chuck,

If you're making Christmas gifts, you're starting way too early.

You're supposed to be asking these questions around December 20th.

LOL

Gary Williams

-----Original Message-----
From: chuck.steger--- via Woodworkers < <mailto:woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org>
To: 'Steve Bigelow' < <mailto:sbig333 at gmail.com> sbig333 at gmail.com>;  <mailto:woodworkers at sawdusters.org> woodworkers at sawdusters.org
Cc:  <mailto:chuck.steger at gmail.com> chuck.steger at gmail.com
Sent: Fri, Nov 18, 2022 4:46 pm
Subject: Re: [Woodworkers] Reusing Resin Forms

Steve,

   Thanks! Yeah HDPE seems to be the form material of choice. I also found some companies that make the molds (similar to the Amazon link you had). I can only get HDPE sheets from Grainger’s (that I know of – big box doesn’t have the thickness). Given I have to make my form anyway, that’s an option. The “con” is you still have to treat it like any other form (i.e. assembling & caulking). I like the self-contained ones like in your link but the “con” of that is then it truly is only for one size (i.e. not reconfigurable). This Canadian company ( <https://jeffmacksupply.com/en-us> Jeff Mack Supply) has several sizes. I just ordered the 12x24. I wanted something a little bigger than the Amazon one since these will be charcuterie/cutting boards. The only way I can justify the expense is I’m telling myself I’m making multiple gifts! I’m still going to make a form as outlined below, using mold release. I want to see if this works which then frees me up for other form sizes at less cost in the future.

Chuck

From: Steve Bigelow < <mailto:sbig333 at gmail.com> sbig333 at gmail.com> 
Sent: Friday, November 18, 2022 12:15 PM 
To:  <mailto:woodworkers at sawdusters.org> woodworkers at sawdusters.org 
Cc:  <mailto:chuck.steger at gmail.com> chuck.steger at gmail.com 
Subject: Re: [Woodworkers] Reusing Resin Forms 

I have only used resin forms for resin only products, but the key is that you need to have either a draft angle, or use a pliable form like silicone. Or, you can make it so you can disassemble the form. For a solid form the mold release is a must.  

A quick search shows a resin form you can purchase on Amazon.  <https://amzn.to/3gcikaw> https://amzn.to/3gcikaw This one has a draft angle of 3 degrees and is made from HDPE. You can use cutting boards for this if you smooth out one side.  

Regards, 
-Steve 
 <http://woodworking.bigelowsite.com/> http://woodworking.bigelowsite.com 

 <http://pen-blanks.us/> http://pen-blanks.us 

On Thu, Nov 17, 2022 at 7:48 PM chuck.steger--- via Woodworkers < <mailto:woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> woodworkers at lists.sawdusters.org> wrote: 

   I need help from some resin gurus …..

   The first and only table pour I did was a one-off and so I used a disposable form. It turned out pretty decent for my first try. Now I want to make cutting boards for Christmas gifts in the river style. They will all be the same dimension with only the “river” being unique. My question is can you reuse forms?

   My plans are to use melamine veneer plywood for the base and sides. I bought mold release spray which I plan to use on the base and sides. I’ll use caulk along the natural edge to try to keep the resin contained but I’m sure I’ll have some leaks which is why I’ll spray the whole base. Do I need mold release tape? If so, river bed only or whole base & sides? For reuse, peel it all off and retape? Or, is mold release spray good enough?

  Some of the people doing pours are really talented and creative. I’m a novice but you have to start somewhere!

   Thanks!

Chuck

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