Resin Encapsulation

I’d quite like to encase the arrow that I got my first bow hunted deer with (it was abroad before anyone pipes up😄) any tips on what I have to order as I don’t have a clue about resins
 
First find a recepticle to accommodate the arrow and of at least 20mm oversize at all points. Perhaps a plastic tube unless you must have 4 sides plus base & top.

Given you are unlikely to invest in a suitably proportioned vacuum chamber and compressor, do some research into which resin type and formular is most forgiving of a simple mix, pore and allow to cure approach.

K
 
e0d6584c6fdf3e88120955ecacf2306e.jpg

I’ve been doing variations of these...
 
Sharpie, would the West range of resins (used in the marine industry) be worth a try?

Yes, and indeed they do a special hardner No 207 specifically for clear coating and casting. I have used West Systems in boat building / repair quite a bit, both as an adhesive and also as a clear epoxy finish over wood - effectively produced a wood fibre reinforced epoxy canoe.

More details and example are here


and

 
Last edited:
I made a few coasters from a dead branch off an oak tree with a greeny blue resin around the edges and into the cracks, a wooden pestle and mortar for a friend from spalted sycamore and finally playing around with a home made lichtenburg machine and filling the pattern with epoxy (yet to be sanded).

Depending on the type of epoxy required it isn't too expensive and definitely worth it if making something decent. A pressure chamber really is needed to remove all visible bubbles and also to make sure the resin penetrates properly.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200406_220952.webp
    IMG_20200406_220952.webp
    318.1 KB · Views: 101
  • IMG_20200328_125350.webp
    IMG_20200328_125350.webp
    161.1 KB · Views: 101
  • IMG_20200406_204157.webp
    IMG_20200406_204157.webp
    324 KB · Views: 102
  • IMG_20200406_202036.webp
    IMG_20200406_202036.webp
    253.1 KB · Views: 99
Those coasters are lovely.

I have seen a few videos on YouTube of people using resin impregnation as part of woodturning, and the results can be fantastic.

It was interesting seeing the earlier post about one of these - mine was bought when I lived in the US and now sits on a shelf:


Weatherby.webp

I did try to do something similar using the clear resin, but the results are spectacularly amatuerish!

Attempt.webp
 
I made a few coasters from a dead branch off an oak tree with a greeny blue resin around the edges and into the cracks, a wooden pestle and mortar for a friend from spalted sycamore and finally playing around with a home made lichtenburg machine and filling the pattern with epoxy (yet to be sanded).

Depending on the type of epoxy required it isn't too expensive and definitely worth it if making something decent. A pressure chamber really is needed to remove all visible bubbles and also to make sure the resin penetrates properly.
You clearly like to live dangerously!

Always thought that process could be used to create an interesting stock finish.

I've seen quite a few large resin filled table tops (river pour) that can't have been subject to the vacuum process due to size so is a heat gun enough?

Nice work!

K
 
Thanks for the suggestion guys, having looked at all this I don’t think I want to try it myself in case I mess it up and I would be gutted then. I’ll try and find someone experienced to do it for me!
 
You clearly like to live dangerously!

Always thought that process could be used to create an interesting stock finish.

I've seen quite a few large resin filled table tops (river pour) that can't have been subject to the vacuum process due to size so is a heat gun enough?

Nice work!

K
It's a pain, I filled in a big knot hole on a beech plank for our hall side table using West. If you time it wrong and pour too deep it boils in situ and makes a mess. It takes time for bubbles to move and then the heat gun to pop being careful not to over cook the surface.

I've made a small vacuum chamber with an old fridge compressor, some bits off ebay, a small pot and some proto putty (google it, hours of fun). :)
Yet to try in anger with cactus juice but wanting to soon.
 
Just remember you need whatever you encapsulate to be moisture free.
Any moisture and the resin will go cloudy.

Neil.
 
Back
Top