Where do you get them? and how is it done?
Depends on volume as to what route you go with.
For small runs those guns with 2 part cartridges are ok , or use some "pratleyglo", mix it in a paper cup and drip on with icelolly sticks.
Bigger runs , you need a 2 part mixer , dispenser and to use Polyurethane 2 part resins in larger quantities.
I would NOT suggest UV curable stuff..it's way too pricey
I have writen a lot about doming here , so search these boards and have written more here
http://www.uksignboards.com and do a search on Doming.
Rodney Gold, Toker Bros trophies, Cape Town , South Africa :
Roland 2300 rotary . 3 x ISEL's ..1m x 500mm CnC .
Tekcel 1200x2400 router , 900 x 600 60w Shenui laser , 1200 x 800 80w Reci tube Shenhui Laser
6 x longtai lasers 400x600 60w , 1 x longtai 20w fiber
2x Gravo manual engravers , Roland 540 large format printer/cutter. CLTT setup
1600mm hot and cold laminator , 3x Dopag resin dispensers , sandblasting setup, acid etcher
IT would be small volume stuff for custom ordered work. The epoxy/urethane what have you, would need to be flexible and saltwater mist tolerant.
Did the search thingie and didn't find much here other than epoxies.com. Not sure if that the best route or not.
Off to look at the link you posted Rodne thanks.
Angus,
I bought uv curable epoxy from epoxies.com and couldn't be happier with it. It's really not that expensive when you consider the cost per item. I built a 4 tube blacklight "curing oven" and it works great. All told I think I have about $60 in the oven and I paid around $100 for a gallon of epoxy. I have used about 1/2 of it and it has generated revenue in excess of $3,000, give or take a bit.
Is it worth it? Yes, my opinion
Gary
Gary , that epoxy is not UV stable , it is uv curable but yellows quite quickly outdoors. (I assume its the 60-7155 version or one opf its variants)
uv cure 7165 from Deco-coat
http://www.deco-coat.com/uv.html
Is more suitable as it is flexible and is far better re yellowing , but it requires a very expensive UV source to cure and it is a LOT more pricey than $100 a gallon. I think we got quoted in the $300 a gal range.
Last edited by Rodne Gold; 08-02-2008 at 3:52 AM.
Rodney Gold, Toker Bros trophies, Cape Town , South Africa :
Roland 2300 rotary . 3 x ISEL's ..1m x 500mm CnC .
Tekcel 1200x2400 router , 900 x 600 60w Shenui laser , 1200 x 800 80w Reci tube Shenhui Laser
6 x longtai lasers 400x600 60w , 1 x longtai 20w fiber
2x Gravo manual engravers , Roland 540 large format printer/cutter. CLTT setup
1600mm hot and cold laminator , 3x Dopag resin dispensers , sandblasting setup, acid etcher
I haven't had any problems with the DC-7155 and yellowing. I have done several thousand pieces over the last two years and there is no problem at all with yellowing. I have a lapel pin that I wear every day and it is still as clear as the day I domed it, just over a year ago. I haven't priced out the 7165 but the uv source made it cost prohibitive for me - $40 for a blacklight setup vs several hundred for high intensity.
Gary
Gary, are you wearing that pin outdoors? If not, there's little UV to turn it yellow...
Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )
Trotec 80W Speedy 300 laser w/everything
CAMaster Stinger CNC (25" x 36" x 5")
USCutter 24" LaserPoint Vinyl Cutter
Jet JWBS-18QT-3 18", 3HP bandsaw
Robust Beauty 25"x52" wood lathe w/everything
Jet BD-920W 9"x20" metal lathe
Delta 18-900L 18" drill press
Flame Polisher (ooooh, FIRE!)
Freeware: InkScape, Paint.NET, DoubleCAD XT
Paidware: Wacom Intuos4 (Large), CorelDRAW X5
BTW epoxies.com come will send a sample package that's enough to do quite a number of name tags.
Mike Null
St. Louis Laser, Inc.
Trotec Speedy 300, 80 watt
Gravograph IS400
Woodworking shop CLTT and Laser Sublimation
Dye Sublimation
CorelDraw X5, X7
I have used the two part clear coat from Home Depot, for doming name badges that for some reason would not accept the colour of foil I was hot stamping on as a perm. mark. It's normally sold for pouring over tables, clocks, and other crafts.. You can buy it in a few different sizes, and it's not all 'that' expensive.. I just mix it up in a soft plastic cup, and slowly pour it over the name badge so the surface tension stops it at the edge.. Seemed to do the trick just fine.. Once cured, the leftovers can be removed from the cup by flexing it and dumping out the broken contents..
Epilog 24TT(somewhere between 35-45 watts), CorelX4, Photograv(the old one, it works!), HotStamping, Pantograph, Vulcanizer, PolymerPlatemaker, Sandblasting Cabinet, and a 30 year collection of Assorted 'Junque'
Every time you make a typo, the errorists win
I Have to think outside the box.. I don't fit in it anymore
Experience is a wonderful thing.
It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
Every silver lining has a cloud around it
My latest Doming project, Fire Accountability Tags. Epoxy on both sides, sublimated and reflective vinyl on the back. The colors show qualifications. Red can enter a burning building, Green Fire Police, Blue EMS and Yellow Jr. Firefighter and cannot enter a burning building.
Had a problem when doing the back, the excess if there was any would run over the edge and spoil the front. Put copy paper down and any run over shows up quick. I check the UV oven often as it cures.
In use a 6 four foot bulb oven EASY to build.
The Fire Department gets a free sign when they finish handing out the tags and return my display rack.
AL
Last edited by AL Ursich; 11-22-2008 at 12:19 PM.
1 Laser, 4 CarveWrights, Star 912 Rotary, CLTT, Sublimation, FC7000 Vinyl, 911 Signs, Street Signs, Tourist Products and more.
Home of the Fire Department "Epoxy Dome Accountability Tag and Accountability Boards".
Thanks Mike, I ordered some samples. Appreciate the tip.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]SR Engraving
Irving, TX
Epilog 35W, Corel X3 AND "How about those COWBOYS"...this will be the year???
I am looking for a rig to do the 2 part epoxy that is air operated and mixes at the tip. All Epoxies.com has is the double syringe with a mixing tip.
Going to be doing more 2 part stuff in the next few months due to it's better non yellowing ability. Looking for the mixing tip fittings... Have a Harbor Freight Paint Pressure Pot that I was going to use 2 new plastic hoses from the pot. Epoxies.com mentioned not to use brass or copper fittings with the 2 part as it could cause a problem.
This company has a great setup.
http://www.visionmark.com/capdome.html
AL
1 Laser, 4 CarveWrights, Star 912 Rotary, CLTT, Sublimation, FC7000 Vinyl, 911 Signs, Street Signs, Tourist Products and more.
Home of the Fire Department "Epoxy Dome Accountability Tag and Accountability Boards".