What resin do I use for wood turning?

Orthophthalic resins are the most economical and widely used. It has a tendency to be more brittle than epoxy, but this depends heavily on the agents the resin is combined with. In general, beyond the smell, polyester resin is a wonderful choice for woodturning projects.

Can you use casting resin on wood?

Application 3: Casting Wood in Resin (Resin Casting) Beautiful pieces of wood can be completely cast in resin. Pieces of wood with a vivid grain or fine burling are ideal. For example, you can make epoxy jewelry, use the piece of wood for turning, or create a decorative piece.

What resin should I use for casting?

Polyesters do have an advantage over epoxy in that is it generally cheaper and is great for casting deep molds. However, polyester resin has a short pot time (generally 8 to 10 minutes) and the surface exposed to air during the curing will remain tacky.

What is the difference between resin and casting resin?

Unlike coating resins, casting resins have a thinner consistency and take a longer time to dry. Casting resin allows you to cast thicker layers as compared to epoxy resin. The thin consistency enables layers of paint to mix quickly. Casting resin is specially made for particular applications.

What is the difference between casting resin and casting epoxy?

Epoxy Coating Resins Vs Casting Resin The most obvious difference between the two is the intended use. Epoxy resins are meant for coating applications whereas casting resins are meant for casting applications such as molds, figurines, & jewelry.

What kind of resin should I use for molds?

Casting molds usually require a certain type of epoxy, more specifically, casting resin. This is also known as deep pour resin. This type of resin allows for thicker pours as it has a slower curing process. Table top and coating epoxies, on the other hand, can be used for molds as well.

Which is better epoxy or resin?

When it comes to forming strong bonds, both epoxy and resin glue can be strong, but epoxy is stronger. The main difference between both adhesive types is the drying time. Both epoxy and resin adhesives require mixing before use, but epoxy hardens much faster than resin glue.

Can I use coating resin for casting?

As with many things in life, there are exceptions to the rules. Casting resins can be used for coating applications, but may require additional steps such as a dam or frame prior to use. Alternatively, coating epoxies can be used for casting applications, but may need to be poured in multiple layers.

When to use a casting mold for woodturning?

As mentioned in the list above, the use of casting molds is key when woodturning with resin. You see, instead of taking a chunk of wood and shaping it down, you first need to take the liquid form of the resin and give yourself a base form to shape.

What kind of resin is best for woodturning?

There are several factors that make a great resin for woodturning Able to do deep pours: The best resin for woodturning needs to be able to do deep pours that will allow for large amounts of epoxy to be poured and bubbles not getting stuck in the epoxy cast.

Can you use a pressure pot to cast resin?

The resin will bond to the mold as well as to the wood inside. Remove all the fasteners in the mold, then cut the blank free. This can be done on the tablesaw or on the bandsaw, as shown above. Resin casting offers creative possibilities that are limited only by your imagination and the size of your pressure pot.

What’s the best way to dry cast resin?

For thorough drying, I put the blank into a 220° toaster oven for at least six hours, then test for dryness with a moisture meter. For best results, dry wood to 5% MC or lower. The mold will become part of the casting, and is cut away after the resin cures. I like to use melamine-coated particleboard (MCP) to make this type of one-time mold.