Casting resin

gunpowder · Post by **gunpowder** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 11:09 am

I want to try my hand at resin casting My question is what type /brand of resin is best? I need a brand available in the UK

Thanks

Schadenfreudian · Post by **Schadenfreudian** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 1:48 pm

Where in the UK are you?

If you live in, or near to, London, Alec Tiranti's shop on Warren Street is the place to go.

I use their own-brand silicone rubber (T20, the most flexible, copes well with undercuts) and a German urethane resin, Sika Biresin, a standard two-part job. Do not under any circumstances try styrene resin! It's awful stuff, it's toxic, stinks and is hard to mix, whereas the urethane resins tend to be 1:1 mix ratios.

Even if you don't live in London (or Theale), you can order:

http://www.tiranti.co.uk/

I've also tried SmoothOn's products, but I don't think much of their moulding rubber, their resin has too long a pot life, so takes ages to cure, and they work out double the price of Tiranti's stuff, volume for volume.

BTW, the usual disclaimer applies - I do not know anyone who works at Titanti, I am completely unaffiliated with them, I am merely a satisfied customer.

en'til Zog · Post by **en'til Zog** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 4:22 pm

Whatever you do, whatever they promise you, do NOT use polyester resin. Ever. It's brittle, and has odd surface catalysys problems (inhibited by the wrong molding rubbers), and the hardner can bring on an acquired LETAL allergic condition - the MEKP is a sensatizing agent.

How do I know? I used to do a lot of casting with polyester and am now LETHALLY sensative to MEK. And the stuff shatters SO easy.

DX-SFX · Post by **DX-SFX** » Mon Sep 05, 2005 7:17 pm

Tiranti's aren't cheap. Try Mason Chemicals or The Fibreglass Shop, Brentford (yes, they stock urethane) or the company that I use most, Jacobsons. All three also do silicone rubber (also cheaper than Tiranti).

Schadenfreudian · Post by **Schadenfreudian** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 4:11 am

En'til Zog wrote:Whatever you do, whatever they promise you, do NOT use polyester resin. Ever. It's brittle, and has odd surface catalysys problems (inhibited by the wrong molding rubbers), and the hardner can bring on an acquired LETAL allergic condition - the MEKP is a sensatizing agent.

How do I know? I used to do a lot of casting with polyester and am now LETHALLY sensative to MEK. And the stuff shatters SO easy.

That's it, polyester resin! That's what I meant to put when I typed 'styrene resin' (it was late)... I support En'til completely here - awful, ghastly, vile stuff!

Schadenfreudian · Post by **Schadenfreudian** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 4:13 am

DX-SFX wrote:Tiranti's aren't cheap. Try Mason Chemicals or The Fibreglass Shop, Brentford (yes, they stock urethane) or the company that I use most, Jacobsons. All three also do silicone rubber (also cheaper than Tiranti).

I've never heard of them, I'll have to give them a try, thanks for that!

gunpowder · Post by **gunpowder** » Tue Sep 06, 2005 10:26 am

Wow lots of info there thanks.

DX-SFX · Post by **DX-SFX** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 2:17 pm

http://www.jacobsonchemicals.co.uk/news_current.htm

The Fibreglass Shop [Fibreglass], MAP. Address: 197 High Street, Brentford, Middlesex. TW8 8AT. Telephone: 0208 5681645. Facsimile: 0208 5687191.

Also in Brentford:

Strand Glassfibre Ltd, Brentway Trading Estate, Brentford, Middx TW8 8ER

I've bought from Strand before too but it was a long time ago and they may not still be at this address but worth trying. They were just down the road from The Fibreglass Shop.

Schadenfreudian · Post by **Schadenfreudian** » Thu Sep 08, 2005 5:08 pm

Ooh, not far from Kew Gardens, that should be easy to get to. Thanks!