Thread: Vacuum&pressure pot experiments

I had an interest in saving burl ends and soft punky pieces. Also wanted the ability to reproduce scales and maybe cast scale and brush designs.
To that end I researched vacuum pumps, stabilizer fluids such as cactus juice and the like and starting stockpiling items.
I have an old paint pressure pot, good to 60 psi for pressure casting, and used a thick glass jar with a gasket for a lip seal and some lexan and brass fittings for my vacuum chamber. Using a 6cfm hvac vacuum pump I get over 28" of vacuum out of the unit.
Ok, the burls, and some action shots.


I added some red dye to a few of them prior to stabilizing.
After curing the other day I chose three to make up a 3" x 6" blank.
Used foam board and a glue gun to build the mold.

Mixed up the appropriate amount of alumilite and added some red color and a bit of copper brushed onto the burl surfaces in some areas.

And put it in the pot for an hr at60 psi.


A bit leaked out as the glu gun seal left a little to be desired, but overall I like it and look forward to slicing it up into scales and handles.

More ideas and experiments to follow. Feel free to add your own so we can all benefit from the shared ideas.
Cheers gents.

,,,glad this was about brushes

My remove format button is inop, Hirlau. I can respond, but in a common way.

You, however, can respond in resplendent coulors and texts.
It seems unfair!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Mike's experiments seem to be paying off once again!

Sweet stuff, Mike!

Tom,,, in your profile, go to "settings",,,, then down to "general settings",,,,,,,,then scroll down the box to "Misc. Settings" ,,,,,,& tell me which editor you have checked.

This slab will be both I think.
Maybe some matched scales and brushes from the same blank.
Figure, once the band saw is set up on the weekend I can do some neater slice work.
Then I can see what else I can make from this stuff.

You do some really fascinating projects. I admire the creativity, the "where there's a will there's a way" approach, and your brain that never quits coming up with cool stuff to try. It all looks like so much fun, man!

Originally Posted by Hirlau

Tom,,, in your profile, go to "settings",,,, then down to "general settings",,,,,,,,then scroll down the box to "Misc. Settings" ,,,,,,& tell me which editor you have checked.

Standard Editor, Hirlau!

I must say this casting is quite intriguing. You could in theory using this reproduce some of the old figured scales. Hmmmm.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I must say this casting is quite intriguing. You could in theory using this reproduce some of the old figured scales. Hmmmm.

Unless properly thought out, there can be a shrink factor in the mold materials, the plastic product used, or both. It certainly has been done before. Some trial and error can be expected. That said, good results are possible and...probable!
~Richard