Anyone use epoxy for rings?

[Ssonerai]

Regarding sharpening a bit, here's a funny story. When I was working for a panel shop (think big industrial control panels), one of other guys was complaining about not having a drill bit sharpener so I said - use a flap disc. Let's just say he didn't believe me so I grabbed a grinder and flap disc, spent about 10 seconds on the bit and gave it back. He drilled right through the panel and said, not bad Point being, I have no issues attempting to screw up a drill bit, once in a while I get lucky

You get it, 100% !
I was not trying to be rude or special, more like cheer leading/encouraging. Like the guy you helped out at the panel shop - so many people look at a drill bit and go "what?? me grind that???"
Just go do it.

 

[Hard Knock Cues]

SsDiver2112 mentions using "solorez air release" to control bubbles in his finish. Its the next thread or two right now, "white dots in finish" that might be easier than the vac chamber. I'm needing to try the stuff myself.

I take back my statement on the air release product, ssdiver2112 realized he made a mistake, it is made to work with solorez finish. Not sure if it works with epoxy.

 

[Jon Turner]

A very small amount of denatured alcohol mixed into the epoxy will release bubbles as well. Give it a few minutes to breathe before application. Also allows the epoxy to flow out better as well.

 

[Chili Palmer]

SsDiver2112 mentions using "solorez air release" to control bubbles in his finish. Its the next thread or two right now, "white dots in finish" that might be easier than the vac chamber. I'm needing to try the stuff myself.

If you are going to build a vac chamber, how about converting a pressure cooker, it has a locking lid, aluminum so easy to drill, but not sure how air tight they are and if you could find one with a glass lid. Maybe you'll have to experiment with time instead of view.
Just some thoughts.

One of the chambers I have is actually a pressure cooker. The problem is, there are no flat spots on the lid to add glass. I think I'll just use a piece of steel or aluminum and drill a sight hole into it and use glass to cover it. Since it's a vacuum, it doesn't need a locking lid, if the seal is good it will suck the lid down. I've done a bit of research on this, I think I'll be ok.

 

[Chili Palmer]

Have you looked at TurnTex? They have dyes and chambers as well. That’s where I bought my stuff.

However your DIY might be easiest. Seems you’re basically set.

With that lid you definitely want some kind of relief valve. Probably a quick disconnect too.

That's a good idea for the relief valve. I'll have to look into max vacuum of my pump and see what I can find.

 

[Bishop]

That's a good idea for the relief valve. I'll have to look into max vacuum of my pump and see what I can find.

I've never done it so I might be talking out my ass but when you double dye I believe your base dye is just a soak with the secondary color under vacuum. Or vice versa.

You'll definitely need a value to slowly pull vacuum. Other wise you'll bubble over.

When I stabilize I use a valve and incrementally open it over the course of an hour to avoid spill over.

I believe turn tex has instructions on the website for this type of work.

 

[Michael Webb]

Another different sample.
It's phenolic, not Pearlite.
Pretty cool!

 

[Chili Palmer]

Another different sample.
It's phenolic, not Pearlite.
Pretty cool!

Nice. I've got a big chunk of old brown linen phenolic. It appears to have become moldy though, been meaning to post it, just haven't gotten around to it.

 

[Michael Webb]

Nice. I've got a big chunk of old brown linen phenolic. It appears to have become moldy though, been meaning to post it, just haven't gotten around to it.

I still have some of the good stuff in brown. Not a lot but I got some.

 

[Chili Palmer]

I still have some of the good stuff in brown. Not a lot but I got some.

I bought a good chunk of it (I have pic floating around here somewhere) years ago and it just sat on a shelf. I cut a chunk off a while back to use for a butt and when I spun it up on the lathe it spit out a bunch of weird looking dust. After looking at it I realized parts of it are moldy. It looks like some drops of water fell on it and deteriorated the cloth. Originally I thought it was done for so I just put it aside for a while but eventually made a JP out of it. In the end, I actually like the look of it, gives it more character.

Here's the best pic I could get of the JP that showed the color variation. The light colored area is where the funky dust comes from.

And here's the block, I cut in half to see what the inside looked like once I realized what was going on.

On this part you clearly see the ring where it appears water/some liquid was on it.

And this was the size of the block. I drilled the hole so when I cut off for two ferrules (it's 2" thick) I can put a 1/4" bolt through it and chuck it up.