Its funny just because it's a no brainer we still dont do it. I've been casting for a couple of years now as you know. My ovens are one side of the shop the compressor on another side pressure post everywhere lol. And my dyes on another wall and my mixing bench in the middle. Its ridiculous. I think I may need to organize at some point. Great video thanks Zac

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Toby! I know it's crazy how small things go unnoticed or at least unchanged for a while. It definitely is nice having everything you need right at hand

@marknienstadt6963

4 жыл бұрын

Right now. My toaster is in a box, to keep other junk off it.

@TobyFireandSteel

4 жыл бұрын

@@marknienstadt6963 hahaha yeah that will fix it. 👍

Hi Zak...thanks for not only going over the convenience aspect but also the ergonomics of shop layout 😎

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

You bet! I'm pretty sensitive to the ergonomics of it doing it for multiple hours a day, and I find that things just seem to work better when you're comfy =D

Great start. Two things to add. Make sure you have multiple electrical circuits. Sucks to keep blowing a fuse. When setting up your pots - make sure the bottom of the pot is level so your molds are level - I figured that out the hard way.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Great additions to the list!

Thanks for the tips, Zac. I finally ordered a pressure pot and can’t wait for it to arrive! Read your Beginners Guide but I think I had better read it again. It was a very worthwhile investment. 👍👍👍👍😃😃🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 Stay safe, .....Gord

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

That's awesome Gord! Really glad you enjoyed the ebook, and I'm excited for you to dive in =D

GREAT review of shop ideas Doc. Not many think of the height ideas until a remodel, so its a great reminder especially if you are taller. I use the silicone pads on the workstations for casting and for the general demolding area. I liked it so much bought them for the office desks, very easy cleanup. I put the long Stanley power strips on the front of the benches, you can get them on amazon in about any length. I did get the Pressure pot liners from CA when I got the pot, just in case I spill, and it will happen. Also installed lots of light over the bench areas and work areas. the new LED lights are great with less electricity. SUPER tips video, right to the best points.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

You have your area set up well!! I debated including lighting as well, but I decided to skip it in this one

I subscribed to your channel a few days ago and am learning a lot!

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for subscribing! I'm glad the videos have been helpful for you, that's always my goal =D

Thanks for the tips. Have learned alot from your videos

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!! It's always great to hear feedback like that, glad that they've been helpful!

Thanks for the tips, VERY helpful

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

My pleasure! Glad they are helpful =D

Great pointers Zac thank you. Some really good tips x

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Hope they help out Mel :)

For protecting the workbench from casting materials, I used to use thin green masking paper meant for automotive painting. The only problem with that roll was that it was only a foot wide, so I had to tape multiple strips together to cover the entire workbench. Now I use 36"-wide rolls of heavy red rosin paper from the big box store. Mount it on a dowel at the end of the workbench (like a huge roll of toilet paper) for easy dispensing.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

I have that exact setup on my assembly table for finishing. I found that bigger resin spills can sometimes penetrate through it though, so I never used it for my casting area. That just gave me another idea though, you could cover the work surface with Tyvek tape like the river table guys and gals use to cover their molds. Just peel it off and reapply

Great tips Zac!

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking it out Eric! Hope it helps out :)

Great tips Zac thanks for sharing

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

You bet! Thank for checking it out. Hope it helps you out =D

Thanks Zac, was doing most of that. But I did learn something. I always wondered why you set all your molds on that little piece of HTPE on your bench, then @ 3:49 in the video I learned why.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Glad there was something new in there! Yeah, I found I would always have a hard time picking up my molds, so I thought adding a little piece of HDPE under it would make it easier for me :)

Thank you for sharing, it helps me to know what I should do when setting up my casting area.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

My pleasure I hope that it helps you set up your ultimate casting area =D

Plan on setting up my area soon, thanks for the tips.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

That's awesome! Hope that these tips help you plan your perfect workstation!

All good tips 👍

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Connie!

Table rolled paper. The same kind when you go to the DR. Office. When your done you just pull off enough for a clean area then go home and when you return your area will be ready for you to go to work. It’s cheep and I like a clean work area. A cluttered work area makes for a bad day.

Great tips, Zac. I'm looking at setting up a new shop in the near-ish future and I. Hoping to have a casting room, so this is a good reminder for setup ideas.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

I would love to build some walls around mine. I don't plan to stay in this shop for too long though, and I don't want to waste the money on it then leave. Problem is the housing market is stupid here, so I have no clue if/when we will be able to buy a house with a shop onsite. I hate not knowing! LOL Can't wait to see your casting room! Make sure to tag me when you get it set up

@CrossCutCreations

4 жыл бұрын

Zac Higgins I will for sure! I’m working with an architect to build a garage, so I’m still a ways off, but I’ll definitely tag you when that day comes. It should be lots of fun.

Some good tips-even for some of us who have been doing this a while. I use a salvaged top from an office desk--it is a wood grained Formica and works well. You can scrape off spills with a razor. A sheet of Formica alone probably isn't that expensive and can be rolled up when not used. Hope you're staying safe during all this pandemic stuff!

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Nice! Great idea for a top Tom! I'm keeping a low profile, staying safe so far. You too brother!

I actually have a few HDPE table tops. I was working in a grocery store deli when they replaced all their tops. The let me have the old ones instead of throwing them out. I did cut one down for a top on a cheap kitchen cart instead of the contact paper covered particle board it came with.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Score!! Those sheets of HDPE are pretty expensive, glad you were able to snag some for free =D

Let's face it. The "no brainer tips" are the ones we most easily overlook, and kick ourselves for after the fact. ;)

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

No doubt! I usually find the simple ones to be the most helpful for me =D

Thanks Zac, I need an area. Hope to get one soon

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Hope you can use some of these tips to help make your ultimate casting area :)

hey zac just want to say luv your stuff learned lots. but 1 thing maybe u forgot how important it is to keep your project level both after pouring and in the pot.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Glad you're enjoying the videos Jeffrey =D I didn't cover keeping things level because I mention that in the pressure pot mounting video. It's definitely important though

Hi Zac, As always great tips, especially the silicone mat, which I've been wondering what it was. I will be investing in one when I start casting again, once the temperature here goes up a bit. Cheers, Huw

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Huw! I love those silicone mats, I actually just bought two extras after doing this video =D

Great Video. Tanks for the tips this really helps. where did your toaster oven fire ball go ?

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Glad it is helpful! I don't leave that oven on when I'm not standing by it. I use it to heat up molds before casting, so it's not on when I'm not standing by it. I have fireballs over the wood drying/cactus juice baking oven and above the vacuum pumps though :)

What all do you use the oven for? And do i see a refrigerator/cold storage, if yes whats that for? And finally.. Could you please share tips on how to increase the life of silicon moulds?

If I was you i would take out the 1/2" EMT conduit that was behind you and reinstall 3/4" with at lest 4 new outlet boxes. on 4 separate electrical feeds. using 12/2 w/Ground. which would give you 4 20amp circuits. You are truly pushing the envelope with what your running now.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Haven't had any problems in 7 years, think it's fine. Thanks for the suggestion though

I made my counter/work sections with 3/4” melamine, nothing sticks to it so far. I think it was $25 for a 4’x8’ sheet from the big box stores. Before that I was using my wife’s yoga mat...until she wanted to get back into yoga and she needed to know where it went 😬

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

LOL Yoga mat for the win!! I love it =D

Zac Awesome Video! Quick question for ya in regards to dye's. I purchased some cheapo resin dye's off amazon to experiment with using alumilite clear and while the one I tried did effectively dye the resin, it cured differently than expected. Just curious if you had any experience using non-alumilite dyes and whether or not there were any recommendations you may have. Thanks!

Kitchen counter tops work also

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

They are made with melamine, not as non stick as the materials I mentioned but will definitely work. I'd recommend going with a silicone mat on top of it to add another layer of protection

@shednut2666

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks Zac formica a little different. Little Johnson paste wax couple times a year Stay safe

My only question is what's the freezer and ink bird for? Looks just like my beer fermentation setup...

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

I keep certain supplies cool in there. Good eye :)

Hi Zac, enjoyed your video. You did not mention melamine as a work surface, do you think that would work ?

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

I probably wouldn't recommend melamine. It is more of a semi nonstick material, and some melamine is more non-stick than others. If you have a piece laying around that would fit, I'd recommend using silicone mats as well. Frankly, I used the silicone mats with HDPE because it was just easier to clean up

Thank you for making everything so easy to understand in your videos! I have just started resin casting after watching for some time. Resin coming out clear, but my swirls in the resin are showing the same vortex pattern in everything I cast! I want to create a coloured/glitter swirl in clear resin, no matter at what time stage I set it, if I warm one part or not etc, I get the exact same pattern of swirl. The colour curls up the sides of the mould and then down into the centre of the piece creating two separate vortex shapes.......could it be too high a pressure? I've used 60 then lowered to 50psi....or something else going on. I have cast 10 pieces over 4 batches for pendants. Any Suggestions?

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

I'm not entirely sure what you mean, but it probably just has to do with the way the resin moves around in the mold. Try waiting until the end of the working time, then give it a little swirl before pressurizing it

Awesome tips as usual Zac! I have kind of a more specific question for you, if you had to buy only ONE CBN wheel, which grit would you buy? Or would you absolutely save your pennies until you could afford TWO and buy them together?

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

That's a tough question. I might go with the 180 grit or maybe 220. I'd still go with two if possible, just makes things a lot easier if you have one that can shape tools and one for final edges

@ericwhitsel61

4 жыл бұрын

Zac Higgins Thx for the advice Zac, appreciate you taking the time to respond!

What about Melamine for a counter top. It's pretty slick and fairly inexpensive.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

It could work, but some resins tend to stick to melamine pretty good and some melamines seem to be more non stick than others. It's definitely better than wood though =D

@marknienstadt6963

4 жыл бұрын

@@ZacHiggins Thanks

How do you get good ventilation in your space?

What is the purpose for the Toaster Oven?

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

It warms up the mold and it flashes off surface moisture

@steinbierz

Жыл бұрын

@@ZacHiggins Do you use it when stabilizing blanks with Cactus Juice?

Melamine makes a nice, low cost work surface for casting. Keep it waxed and nothing will stick to it.

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

I like the wax idea, that should help a ton!

@tedspens

4 жыл бұрын

@@ZacHiggins Sometimes I wander around my makeshift shop with a can of wax, just waxing stuff. 😁

can i use eyeshadow instead of mica powder?

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

I think most of them work, it's basically the same thing. I think there may be some that don't though, so it's always best to do a test first to make sure

Height is spelled with a ‘t’

@ZacHiggins

4 жыл бұрын

Oopsie