4-LAYER CASTING (INTERMEDIATE)

This practical project makes a perfect gift for dad or a favorite ‘paper shuffler’. Here I show an old, non-working watch that has been taken apart and the pieces embedded in layers of resin to give a dimensional or floating effect. You might choose to layer coins (a trip to a foreign bank, where the exchange rate is in your favor, will produce a handful of unusual coins for a dollar or two).

‘TIMELESS’PEN HOLDER

A trip to a second hand store or garage sale should produce some real ‘finds’. Remember... embedments must be dry and free of grease and oil for the resin to cure properly around them. Do not embed anything really valuable because it will be next to impossible to ‘uncast your treasures.

MATERIALS NEEDED

INSTRUCTIONS:

• In a mixing cup measure and mix thoroughly 2 ounces casting resin and 10 drops of catalyst.
• Pour into mold and allow to gel, approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

• In a clean mixing cup, measure and mix thoroughly 2 ounces of casting resin and 8 drops of catalyst.
• Pour approximately 1 ounce of this mixture onto the gelled layer.
• Place one-half of the watch parts (smaller pieces) into the resin you’ve just poured, pressing the pieces gently with your stir stick to force trapped air bubbles to rise.
• Pour remaining 1 ounce of catalyzed resin over the watch parts.
• Allow this layer to gel, approximately 20 minutes.

• In a clean mixing cup, measure and mix thoroughly 2 ounces of resin and 6 drops of catalyst.
• Pour 1 ounce of this mixture onto the gelled layer.
• Place the remaining watch parts into the resin you’ve just poured, pressing pieces gently with your stir stick to force any trapped air bubbles to rise.
• Pour the remaining 1 ounce of catalyzed resin over the watch parts.
• Allow this layer to firm gel, approximately 20 minutes.

• In a clean mixing cup, measure and mix thoroughly 2 ounces resin, 6 drops white or black color pigment, and 4 drops of catalyst.
• Pour onto gelled layer.
• Allow to harden completely before removing from the mold. (4-24 hours)

REMOVE FROM MOLD

• When cured, your casting will shrink away from the edges of the mold. When tapped with a stir stick, the surface will ‘click hard’.
• Invert mold, grasp edges, flex and allow the casting to gently drop onto a piece of MylarTM or waxed paper.

FINISHING

• Mix a small batch of epoxy glue according to manufacturer’s directions. Apply the glue to the underside of the funnel and attach to the paperweight. Allow to dry thoroughly before using.
• (Note: Pen and Funnel sets may also come with a machine screw. Optional method of mounting the funnel is to drill a 1/8” hole through the casting and place the proper length screw from the bottom of the casting).
• To protect furniture, place four self-adhesive felt dots to the base of casting.