Casting Acrylic

[Angus Hines]

Does anybody know of a source for Liquid Acrylic that I can pour and mold myself??
In clear or colors

[Frank Corker]

Angus do a search on ebay, there are always plenty of sellers putting it up. There is one in particular which is almost perfectly clear and it's a two part resin mix.

[Richard Rumancik]

I don't think you will find an acrylic that you can cast yourself. It is a very complicated process to do acrylic casting and embedments. I think it requires an autoclave and it generates very toxic vapours.

There may be clear polyurethanes, polyesters, epoxies, etc. that could work. Try companies like Smooth-On, Conap, Synair Corp. and Goldenwest Mfg. They might have a castable clear or colored material. But I don't know if it would be laserable when you are done.

Take a look here

http://users.lmi.net/drewid/resin_faq.html

[Craig Hogarth]

I saw it done on that show "how's it made" and it's a lot more complicated than it sounds.

I've used http://clearimageinc.com/home a couple times. They're wholesale pricing is actually quite low.

[Rodne Gold]

The biggest problem with resin embedments id to make the mould and to use one that doesnt yellow.
you can do some nice stuff and use spectrum etc on it for engraving
Other issues are debubbling , and in general all casting work must be done in a VERY dry environment. You can use 2 stage castings , cast a black base , then the clear with the embedment , looks great. Lots of avenues open.
IRO moulds , well with the laser , pex , glue and some creativity with houshold items as "containers" you can do a lot and also have embossed or sunken features , logos etc , so laser the mould not the item.

[Angus Hines]

Once again thanks for the plethora of info one can find here on the Creek.

All of the points and ideas are greatly appericated, but this is for a development experiment and has little to do with lasers and embedments. If it works like planned. I'll post pictures So back to the Lab for now.

Oh and I found it here if anyone else is ever looking.

http://www.emsdiasum.com/microscopy/...ng/resins.aspx

[Anthony Penchetta]

You can cast clear polyester resin and also color it. I buy my casting supplies from www.artstuf.com They specialize in casting materials and colorants. here is a link to the clear casting resin http://www.artstuf.com/DStockNEW.fm$...9&html=display

Click on pigments and dyes for colorants.

I use to do a lot of pen blank casting, but have tapered off some lately.
Trying to get into the laser engraving aspect of some work.

That's why I been lurking here the last month.

I am still in the deciding period about an Epilog 24" or a USL 3.6. I read a bunch about the debate and which one to buy. Just can't wait to sell my cycle and get on with it.

[Joe Petersen]

The acrylic used for artificial flowers they carry at craft shops and even Wal-Mart should fit the bill.