Clear "Filler" - Scroll Saw Woodworking & Crafts Message Board

Jediscroller · 07-07-2009, 02:22 PM

Hi All,
I recall reading once about a substance that can be used to fill up relief areas that dries clear but for the life of me I can't find it again. Basically, it ends up like a clear plastic with stuff inside that you pour it on. I'm working on an idea which I'd like to employ this material on. If it works, I'll post pictures, hehehe.
Does anyone have a clue as to what I'm referring to?

Jim McDonald · 07-07-2009, 02:46 PM

Kevin:
Are you thinking of the pourable epoxy resin finishes or maybe the old pourable Lucite that folks used to imbed objects?

Jediscroller · 07-07-2009, 02:51 PM

Jim....either one sounds like the ticket. Thanks a ton for the correct terminology!!!! Do you know if the pourable lucite is still available?

workin for wood · 07-07-2009, 03:00 PM

I do, but it depends what you are doing volume wise as to my recommendations. If it's not going to require a huge volume, I would use inlace. Available at crafts supplies USA. If you're piece is not larger than 6" in diameter and you have a pressure pot, I would recommend Alumilite over anything you can buy. If you have a fair bit of holes to fill, an no pressure pot, you can use PR. Castin Craft is the brand you can get at micheals, or you can buy 5 gallons of silmar 41, that's the better stuff, and way better deal. Heck, Castin Craft is something like $20 for a quart. Silmar 41, you have to buy 5 gallons, but it's only about $135 or less. Inlace and PR require a catalyst. For clear casting, you add so many drops per ounce. For a colored cast, you add a few extra drops, unless it's really hot out, and if it's cold out you add several extra and then stick the item in your oven on low for about 30 minutes with the wife not home! When she gets home, you have no idea what smells. With alumilite, you mix 50/50 A and B. It doesn't matter much about what the temp is in the shop. All products should be colored with oil base paint or poweder dyes. If you use water in alumilite, it will foam and fiz like a Root Beer Float. Alumilite though, requires pressure, the others can be done without, but all work best under pressure. Inlace and alumilite are more liquid and get into tighter spaces than PR. If you need to scroll the finished product, alumilite is by far the best product. It scrolls like wood..no, it scrolls better than any wood, and you have absolute control all the time. PR will melt as you cut and you have no control and the dust re-unites behind it so that you then have to cut it again..like corian does. Let me know if you have any more questions or are unclear on anything. Scrolling and casting are what I do the most. That's the best money maker I can find.

workin for wood · 07-07-2009, 03:06 PM

yea..you dont' want to buy lucite! That stuff needs equipment you don't have and quite a level of experience. It is the best of the best, but not for us

The Art of Lucite

unixpro · 07-07-2009, 05:44 PM

My bet is on the inlace too. It comes in a wide variety of colors and allows you to add things like rocks and metal dust. Woodcraft carries some in their store, but for the complete line I go to inlacebook.

Inlace does require a catalyst, but it is very easy to use and, in every project where I've used it, has produced excellent results.

Chase · 07-07-2009, 06:07 PM

Kevin, if you are interested in grain filling and not filling too deep try a product called Water Based Grain Filler, Neutral, by Behlen.

I got mine at Woodcraft but it is available elsewhere.

Chase

Okie_Arkie_Wood_Cutter · 07-07-2009, 06:14 PM

Ummm, sounds interesting????

Jim McDonald · 07-07-2009, 06:19 PM

Kevin:
Here's a starting point. Maybe Jeanette or someone more familiar could enlighten us further.

The only reason I could even think of a pourable resin finish is becase of the Fox Chapel book sale. Honestly, I had just put down Understanding Wood Finishing (How to Select and Apply the Right Finish) by Bob Flexner that I received during the Alan's Attic Sale.

It's a big book and I only got a brief chance to scan it when I pulled it out of the mailbox.

Jediscroller · 07-07-2009, 06:51 PM

Thanks for all the info! I need to do some reading. This will be used in lieu of glass for an inlay. It will probably need to fill an area ~ 5 X 7 X 1/4" deep.

07-07-2009, 02:22 PM	#1
Jediscroller American Crafstman Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Galaxy far, far away Posts: 3,174 Blog Entries: 5	Clear "Filler" Hi All, I recall reading once about a substance that can be used to fill up relief areas that dries clear but for the life of me I can't find it again. Basically, it ends up like a clear plastic with stuff inside that you pour it on. I'm working on an idea which I'd like to employ this material on. If it works, I'll post pictures, hehehe. Does anyone have a clue as to what I'm referring to? __________________ Kevin Scrollsaw Patterns Online Making holes in wood with an EX-30, Craftsman 16" VS, Dremel 1680 and 1671

07-07-2009, 02:46 PM	#2
Jim McDonald Workin' for the Weekend Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: On the Other Side of the Monitor Posts: 940 Blog Entries: 6	Kevin: Are you thinking of the pourable epoxy resin finishes or maybe the old pourable Lucite that folks used to imbed objects? __________________ Jim Exuberance can be corrected; dullness is incurable. --E. Deters "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end."

07-07-2009, 02:51 PM	#3
Jediscroller American Crafstman Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Galaxy far, far away Posts: 3,174 Blog Entries: 5	Jim....either one sounds like the ticket. Thanks a ton for the correct terminology!!!! Do you know if the pourable lucite is still available? __________________ Kevin Scrollsaw Patterns Online Making holes in wood with an EX-30, Craftsman 16" VS, Dremel 1680 and 1671

07-07-2009, 03:00 PM	#4
workin for wood Master Scroller Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Eaton Rapids Michigan Posts: 2,474	I do, but it depends what you are doing volume wise as to my recommendations. If it's not going to require a huge volume, I would use inlace. Available at crafts supplies USA. If you're piece is not larger than 6" in diameter and you have a pressure pot, I would recommend Alumilite over anything you can buy. If you have a fair bit of holes to fill, an no pressure pot, you can use PR. Castin Craft is the brand you can get at micheals, or you can buy 5 gallons of silmar 41, that's the better stuff, and way better deal. Heck, Castin Craft is something like $20 for a quart. Silmar 41, you have to buy 5 gallons, but it's only about $135 or less. Inlace and PR require a catalyst. For clear casting, you add so many drops per ounce. For a colored cast, you add a few extra drops, unless it's really hot out, and if it's cold out you add several extra and then stick the item in your oven on low for about 30 minutes with the wife not home! When she gets home, you have no idea what smells. With alumilite, you mix 50/50 A and B. It doesn't matter much about what the temp is in the shop. All products should be colored with oil base paint or poweder dyes. If you use water in alumilite, it will foam and fiz like a Root Beer Float. Alumilite though, requires pressure, the others can be done without, but all work best under pressure. Inlace and alumilite are more liquid and get into tighter spaces than PR. If you need to scroll the finished product, alumilite is by far the best product. It scrolls like wood..no, it scrolls better than any wood, and you have absolute control all the time. PR will melt as you cut and you have no control and the dust re-unites behind it so that you then have to cut it again..like corian does. Let me know if you have any more questions or are unclear on anything. Scrolling and casting are what I do the most. That's the best money maker I can find. __________________ Jeff Powell

07-07-2009, 03:06 PM	#5
workin for wood Master Scroller Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Eaton Rapids Michigan Posts: 2,474	yea..you dont' want to buy lucite! That stuff needs equipment you don't have and quite a level of experience. It is the best of the best, but not for us The Art of Lucite __________________ Jeff Powell

07-07-2009, 05:44 PM	#6
unixpro I need more weekend Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater Seattle Area Posts: 615	My bet is on the inlace too. It comes in a wide variety of colors and allows you to add things like rocks and metal dust. Woodcraft carries some in their store, but for the complete line I go to inlacebook. Inlace does require a catalyst, but it is very easy to use and, in every project where I've used it, has produced excellent results.

07-07-2009, 06:07 PM	#7
Chase Seasoned WV Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia, Born/Raised WV Posts: 730	Kevin, if you are interested in grain filling and not filling too deep try a product called Water Based Grain Filler, Neutral, by Behlen. I got mine at Woodcraft but it is available elsewhere. Chase __________________ Chase---Cleverly Disguised As A Responsible Adult. Visit my album @ http://home.comcast.net/~chasesmeeks...-by-Chase.html and click on the album link.

07-07-2009, 06:14 PM	#8
Okie_Arkie_Wood_Cutter Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: SouthWest Arkansas Posts: 402	Ummm, sounds interesting???? __________________ You can take the boy out of the hill country, but you can not take the hill country out of the boy. Okie's Cuttings and Patterns http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb24/okiearkie/ darrell, the okiearkie

07-07-2009, 06:19 PM	#9
Jim McDonald Workin' for the Weekend Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: On the Other Side of the Monitor Posts: 940 Blog Entries: 6	Kevin: Here's a starting point. Maybe Jeanette or someone more familiar could enlighten us further. The only reason I could even think of a pourable resin finish is becase of the Fox Chapel book sale. Honestly, I had just put down Understanding Wood Finishing (How to Select and Apply the Right Finish) by Bob Flexner that I received during the Alan's Attic Sale. It's a big book and I only got a brief chance to scan it when I pulled it out of the mailbox. __________________ Jim Exuberance can be corrected; dullness is incurable. --E. Deters "Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end." Last edited by Jim McDonald; 07-07-2009 at 06:21 PM. Reason: better link

07-07-2009, 06:51 PM	#10
Jediscroller American Crafstman Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Galaxy far, far away Posts: 3,174 Blog Entries: 5	Thanks for all the info! I need to do some reading. This will be used in lieu of glass for an inlay. It will probably need to fill an area ~ 5 X 7 X 1/4" deep. __________________ Kevin Scrollsaw Patterns Online Making holes in wood with an EX-30, Craftsman 16" VS, Dremel 1680 and 1671

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