Polyester Resin

[Michael @ Foster Calls]

Ok guys I just got all of the things for polyester resin in the mail and I am dieing to make some blanks but I have one question I am doing 6" long by 1 1/2" round blanks and I am wondering how many drops of catalyst I should put in per ounce of resin because the box is kind of confusing. I am using casting craft resin if that helps at all. Thanks, Michael

[dogcatcher]

Take your mold and fill it with water, then pour the water into a measuring cup.  This will give you the volume in ounces that you will be needing.  Compute the number of drops per ounce, multiply and that is how much catalyst you need.

Before you use your mold, make sure it is dry, completely dry.

Marvin

[Brian at DDT Game Calls]

What resin are you using?

[Michael @ Foster Calls]

Casting craft resin, I am not really sure how many drops of catalyst to put per ounce though. On the can it says how many to do per layer or something like that.It just doesn't make much sense.

[dogcatcher]

Try doing a Google of the brand name asking for instructions.

Marvin

[Chris @ Palmetto Pens & Calls]

The best way would be to use a digital postal scale and it will tell you the exact amount of ounces all you have to do is weigh the cup you mix it in first to get its weight then pour the resin in and as for how many drops per ounce will be wide and far but I usually use around 4-5 per ounce

[Michael @ Foster Calls]

Thanks!

[Lon @ First Flight Game Calls]

I went to their site and this is what Michael is talking about guys.  I am not sharp enough to figure these instructions out but it looks like this may not be suitable for the proposed use.

The following is a guide to the recommended ratios for use of casting catalyst with clear casting resin:
Formula for one layer: if layer is 1/8 in. thick, use 15 drops per ounce of resin. If layer is 1/4 in. thick use eight drops per ounce. If layer is 1/2 in. thick, use six drops per ounce. If layer is 3/4 in. thick, use five drops per ounce. If layer is 1 to 1-1/2 in. thick use 4 drops per ounce.
For multi layer projects (especially when embedding items into it): first layer use five drops per ounce, for the second layer use four drops per ounce, for the third layer use three drops per ounce and for additional layers use two drops per ounce.

Sorry, I'm no help.   

Lon

[Michael @ Foster Calls]

I looked up some forums on the internet and ended up doing the whole 6 inches at the same time and about 10 drops per ounce and they turned out good but I am about to get some more and I think I am going to order silmar 41 because it says its for thick castings.

[Steel Rain Calls]

Ok well I don't know if this will help or if you have already found your answer. SO here goes; when I make up my material I usually take one of the clear solo cups and fillit up to the first ring. Then I add 24 drops of hardener and stir with popsicle sticks for around a minute and a half. Hope this helps!

[Michael @ Foster Calls]

Thanks, I did one last night with 7 drops per ounce and it turned out good so I will just keep weening it down from there!

[dogcatcher]

Things to consider, the more hardener you add the more brittle the casting will be, and the better the Shore Factor.  The less hardener you use the softer your castings will be and the lower your Shore Factor will be.  If using for inserts the cork slots are very important, a soft insert will be a problem.  An over hardened insert can be brittle, nothing like having an insert shatter when dropped on concrete.

Marvin

[Michael @ Foster Calls]

Thanks! I will keep that in mind and find a happy medium.

[Jason Culbertson]

ill make this alot eaiser go to alumilite web site and buy some alumilite clear it has a part A and a part B put on scale measure one to one by weight simple as that you wont need to do a forumula on how much catlis.  here is a bottle stopper i made from alumilite

[Jason Culbertson]

i also made a blank that i did not like to color it was poured so i decided to play with it a liitle i turned it to a 1.5 in ball shape threw it up in the air about 10 ft let it hit the concrete multiple times it sounded like a pool ball hitting the concrete with no cracks or breaks in the ball very durible stuff.