OK it's tomorrow!! Hurry up already!! This is like Christmas morning!!
Casting Jumping Cholla
- Thread starter BangleGuy
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- #22
Drumroll…
Here’s what the cast cholla looked like this morning when I vented the pressure and opened the lid. The resin settled about 1/2” but not too much below the cholla face.
Here’s what the cast cholla looked like this morning when I vented the pressure and opened the lid. The resin settled about 1/2” but not too much below the cholla face.
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- #23
To de-mold I use a regular screwdriver between the boot and puck, drawing it around the OD while inserting it deeper each revolution. It’s hard on the boot but they’re tough and can be used lots of times.
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- #24
And for the finale - here’s the 3-1/2” diameter cast cholla puck.
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- #25
I would like to keep this thread going and am looking for someone to make a turned item out of this cholla puck over the next couple of weeks. Who has time and a cool project idea? The cast puck is 3-1/2” diameter x 1-1/2 tall.
I will ship it to you for free. But again, the catch is you need to post the finished item by March 1st.
Thanks for following along!
I will ship it to you for free. But again, the catch is you need to post the finished item by March 1st.
Thanks for following along!
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Eric, I'm not nearly as talented as most of the turners on this site. But if none of them chime in, I'm willing make a hollow form turning. That's not really a "cool project idea" ... just the best idea I have at the moment 
Let's hear from the rest of you watching this cool thread.
Let's hear from the rest of you watching this cool thread.
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- #27
@Steelart99
That works for me. I was just looking to get this turned into a finished project so we can all see what it looks like inside. I would work on it, but I’m going to be away from my shop for the next few weekends and won’t get to it.
That works for me. I was just looking to get this turned into a finished project so we can all see what it looks like inside. I would work on it, but I’m going to be away from my shop for the next few weekends and won’t get to it.
Dan, if you do get this piece, find the center and see what thickness the wall is. To me it looks like there is about 1" with a 1" center, leaving you with 1" to work with. Make sure your tools are sharp as when the tool comes off the wood, it leaves a small tear out in the resin. That's been my experience. It left me with working Cholla that has not been stabilized.Eric, I'm not nearly as talented as most of the turners on this site. But if none of them chime in, I'm willing make a hollow form turning. That's not really a "cool project idea" ... just the best idea I have at the moment
Let's hear from the rest of you watching this cool thread.
Even though Cholla looks flimsy, weak and not very strong, I found out it is some pretty stout stuff.
There is a person, Terry Dunn is his name, that states he pressurizes his Cholla to 3 thousand pounds. I would sure love to get one of those pieces from him.
Eric, send that piece to Dan. He sounds like he want to turn it. ............. Nubs
Thanks for the pointers. I typically use carbide bits when I'm doing hollow forms ... and take tiny bites ... 
I'll install a new carbide bit before starting this.
That said, I have not turned resin specifically. I have worked with stabilized wood although that is likely very different.
Hopefully, my "learning curve" is short
I'll install a new carbide bit before starting this.That said, I have not turned resin specifically. I have worked with stabilized wood although that is likely very different.
Hopefully, my "learning curve" is short
Excellent Eric. It'll be at the top of my to-do list ..... uhhhhhh .... well, after Valentines gift making
@Nubsnstubs Jerry, just give him a call. I'm sure he'd hook you up with some. I gave you his number at one time.
Eric, next time he orders some more Cholla, I'll ask him for one piece. I curious as I just can't see 3 thousand pounds air pressure. I guess it's too much for my small outdated brain. ............. Nubs
Go for it, You've got the skills!Eric, I'm not nearly as talented as most of the turners on this site. But if none of them chime in, I'm willing make a hollow form turning. That's not really a "cool project idea" ... just the best idea I have at the moment
Let's hear from the rest of you watching this cool thread.
Not turned enough resin to offer any real tips, and I've never used carbide. Many say the best way to turn resin is with carbide, so sounds like you are all set to go.
So he has been ordering some? I know there were some issues at first. Sorry, none of my business. Just hoping it was working out for you.
Yep. there were, but at SWAT last year I met him. He apologized and now it's all good. ...... Nubs
@BangleGuy - Thought you might like to see these pieces I made from cholla and epoxy. I love working with it as the patterns are so unique. There are two different pizza cutters. One has a matching bottle stopper that I made from a cutoff.
Wow! Those really sparkle!
Not to sidetrack ... much, but are you talking about Cholla that has been cast with epoxy and then put under 3000 psi? If so, he must be using a commercial nitrogen tank which will go up to 3000 psi. Nice
I have no clue how he does it. He bought a lot Cholla from me and just said he puts it under 3000 pounds of pressure.Not to sidetrack ... much, but are you talking about Cholla that has been cast with epoxy and then put under 3000 psi? If so, he must be using a commercial nitrogen tank which will go up to 3000 psi. Nice
I cast a few pieces of Cholla a couple times. First was 40 pounds. I had the tear out coming off the Cholla into the resin. At 80 lbs, it was a lot less tear out. I used Alumilite both times.
My biggest problem was the first time I did it at 40 lbs, I used blue dye for color, and it colored the Cholla with an ugly blue. The next batch at 80 lbs and red dye. It didn't color the Cholla........ Nubs
I turn some of my turkey pot calls out of cholla blanks I’ve cast and they turn out great. I have found negative rake cutters are much better when turning alumilite. I cast 4” pucks for my calls using 4” white schedule 40 pvc caps sprayed with mold release. Works fine if I embed a small square of wood in the center of the blank when cast so I have something to pull the puck out of the mold.