(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

A guy at work is retiring, and we were thinking about an original leaving
present.

We would like to embed an item of his in a transparent plastic or glass
paperweight. The item in question should be heat resistant to at least 100c,
and is around 10cm x 10cm x 10cm in size.

Google brought nothing of use.

Any idea how to go about it?

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:28 +0100, JoeJoe wrote:

We would like to embed an item of his in a transparent plastic or glass
paperweight. The item in question should be heat resistant to at least
100c, and is around 10cm x 10cm x 10cm in size.

That's bug does it have to be encased, or is that the finished size,
which also seesm quite big.

Google brought nothing of use.

Try a google on "clear casting resin"...

Done this years ago (30 y 20) with clear polyester resin. Those
have yellowed significantly now. It's fairly easy to do unless your
object has a knooks or cranny that can trap an air bubble or bubbles.

--
Cheers
Dave.

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

On 20 Oct, 13:30, "JoeJoe" wrote:
A guy at work is retiring, and we were thinking about an original leaving
present.

We would like to embed an item of his in a transparent plastic or glass
paperweight. The item in question should be heat resistant to at least 100c,
and is around 10cm x 10cm x 10cm in size.

Ouch!
What did he ever do to you?!
;o)

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

JoeJoe wrote:
A guy at work is retiring, and we were thinking about an original leaving
present.

We would like to embed an item of his in a transparent plastic or glass
paperweight. The item in question should be heat resistant to at least 100c,
and is around 10cm x 10cm x 10cm in size.

Google brought nothing of use.

Any idea how to go about it?



If you want to do it yourself...

www.tiranti.co.uk

The process goes something like this: -

1. Make a mould. This is a whole process in itself.
2. Treat your mould with release agent.
3. Mix up some clear casting resin.
4. Get the bubbles out of your resin
5. Pour some of the resin
6. Wait for it to go off a bit
7. place your item to be embedded (which should now stand up on its own
and not sink into the resin)
8. Mix some more resin.
9. Get the bubbles out of the resin
10. Pour the rest of your resin
11. Cover to stop dust settling
12. Strip the finished item out of the mould
13. Machine/polish the finished item

Two comments: -

1. Yes, you can pour in two separate hits and not see the join (provided
you don't let dust settle after the first pour).

2. Your biggest problem will be getting the bubbles out of the mixed
resin. This is normally done with a vacuum chamber, which is very expensive.

Your best bet for a fuller flavour is to go to an internet site and get
this done for you (you send them the item and agree a size/shape for the
mould).

I don't know what you Googled for, but try "bespoke paperweights"

e.g. http://www.paperweightsplus.com/ click on "custom paperweights"

HTH

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

On 20 Oct, 13:56, "Dave Liquorice"
wrote:

Done this years ago (30 y 20) with clear polyester resin. Those
have yellowed significantly now.

That's what happens if you use the wrong resin (i.e. "clear" layup
resin). The right grade for setting should remain crystal clear for a
lifetime, at least.

Try Glassplies, Tiranti, MUTR and anyone supplying school craft
lessons (sorry, technology and engineering). The further you get from
the "craft shop", the cheaper it gets.

It's an easy process, so practice first. There's a lot to learn about
how to design moulds for the best. Mylar (polyester) sheet is handy
for sealing the surface in a filled mould - otherwise it remains
tacky if it cures in air.

If you want to see through it from all sides, get some Micromesh
abrasives for polishing. A _lot_ less work than fine wet & dry, then
tripoli.

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.co.uk...
On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:28 +0100, JoeJoe wrote:

We would like to embed an item of his in a transparent plastic or glass
paperweight. The item in question should be heat resistant to at least
100c, and is around 10cm x 10cm x 10cm in size.

That's bug does it have to be encased, or is that the finished size,
which also seesm quite big.

It is a mug (as in coffee)


Google brought nothing of use.

Try a google on "clear casting resin"...

Done this years ago (30 y 20) with clear polyester resin. Those
have yellowed significantly now. It's fairly easy to do unless your
object has a knooks or cranny that can trap an air bubble or bubbles.

--
Cheers
Dave.

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.co.uk...
On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:28 +0100, JoeJoe wrote:

We would like to embed an item of his in a transparent plastic or glass
paperweight. The item in question should be heat resistant to at least
100c, and is around 10cm x 10cm x 10cm in size.

That's bug does it have to be encased, or is that the finished size,
which also seesm quite big.

Google brought nothing of use.

Try a google on "clear casting resin"...

That's the thing! Thanks a lot!

Any idea how to make the item float in the middle of the cube?

Also, my search brings quite a few hitss - any recommendations/ones to
avoid?

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

On 20 Oct, 16:40, "JoeJoe" wrote:
"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message

ll.co.uk...

On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:28 +0100, JoeJoe wrote:

We would like to embed an item of his in a transparent plastic or glass
paperweight. The item in question should be heat resistant to at least
100c, and is around 10cm x 10cm x 10cm in size.

That's bug does it have to be encased, or is that the finished size,
which also seesm quite big.

Google brought nothing of use.

Try a google on "clear casting resin"...

That's the thing! * *Thanks a lot!

Any idea how to make the item float in the middle of the cube?

You cast in several pours, so cast base then add items and add resin.

Resin shrinks slightly and it is exothermic while curing, several
pours needed to stop the resin cracking under its own heat or even
igniting, its a big item your trying to embed and heat and shrinkage
liable to be a danger to it, its also liable to be damn heavy.

Moulds could be polythene or silcone for example, smaller items
classic is using ice cube trays.

Lucite embedding which is actually acrylic rather than polyester is
what the pros do , tends to cost like a pro job.




Also, my search brings quite a few hitss - any recommendations/ones to
avoid?

Glasplies as already mentioned are very competitive.

Adam

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

"JoeJoe" wrote in message
...

"Dave Liquorice" wrote in message
ll.co.uk...
On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:28 +0100, JoeJoe wrote:

We would like to embed an item of his in a transparent plastic or glass
paperweight. The item in question should be heat resistant to at least
100c, and is around 10cm x 10cm x 10cm in size.

That's bug does it have to be encased, or is that the finished size,
which also seesm quite big.

Google brought nothing of use.

Try a google on "clear casting resin"...

That's the thing! Thanks a lot!

Any idea how to make the item float in the middle of the cube?

That depends on the shape of the mold your using.

Say you want it floating in the middle of a cylindrical
mold

with for the sake of argument three inches clear at the top and
bottom of the mug -

Put the mug in the middle at the bottom of the cylinder and
fill the cylinder till its 3 inches over the top of the mug.
( You'd probably need to pour the resin into the mug first and
let it overflow into the mold). Taking care to cover the surface
so no dust can settle on it as it sets. Then, when its set, take
it out and slide it back in, upside down, so the bottom of the mug
is facing upwards and repeat the process. There should be no
visible join mark.



Also, my search brings quite a few hitss - any recommendations/ones to
avoid?


Alec Tiranti have been supplying impoverished sculptors, rather than just
trendy poseurs, for around 100 years now. Although they're also extra handy
if you happen to live in London.

With UV stabiliser and catalyst you're in for about £20.

http://www.tiranti.co.uk/subdivision...div ision=209

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



michael adams

....

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

"JoeJoe" wrote in message
o.uk...
A guy at work is retiring, and we were thinking about an original leaving
present.

We would like to embed an item of his in a transparent plastic or glass
paperweight. The item in question should be heat resistant to at least
100c, and is around 10cm x 10cm x 10cm in size.

Google brought nothing of use.

Any idea how to go about it?



I have used clear cast epoxy ... not sure about stuff being quoted here,
just be careful about exothermic reaction ... when you mix clear cast epoxy
in a Styrofoam cup, you have to pout it into a tray quickly, or it generates
enough heat to melt the cup.

usually not recommended to have it more than 15 mm or so thick in one pour
or heat will cause issues ....

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:17:31 -0700, Adam Aglionby wrote:
Any idea how to make the item float in the middle of the cube?

You cast in several pours, so cast base then add items and add resin.

Is that also how they make Malteasers? (seriously)

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

On Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:21:03 -0700, Owain wrote:

On 20 Oct, 18:42, Jules wrote:
Is that also how they make Malteasers? (seriously)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqu...,-6315,00.html

haha! I wish I hadn't asked :-) Some of those responses are brilliant...

Never could work out how they did the chocolate bit with no evidence of
them having sat while it dried.

Also, imitation malteasers always seem to taste weird.

(OT?) Create your own transparent paperweight
 

"Owain" wrote in message
...
On 20 Oct, 16:37, "JoeJoe" wrote:
It is a mug (as in coffee)

Is it desired to preserve it in a particular state of dirtyness or
could he not be allowed to take it home and use it?

It is nothing special - just that he was really attached to it whilst at
work.