My lens making thread.

Well, you have what, 26 customers already? :poke: I think it's great that you are making your own parts, AND you are sharing the whole process with us. Too often we only see an end result of someone's work, and don't know how to replicate it. So thank you, again!

I spent a small fortune in 2 gallons of the casting resin. It has a self life of 6 months. That lens only took 200grams, I really need to get busy.
 
Hey, he has to finish taking care of us 300 guys first. (Now I am going to have to get off my butt and finish the list of how many want them). I do have listings for other lights.
I'm just trying to help the guy, don't want good materials going to waste.:rolleyes:

Yeah,what happened to that list? I could get at least 7-8 names off the thread you posted. :poke:
 
Just remind her to keep the dishes out of your parts washer.

She is the official cook, so I am the official dishwasher. Ironically you should mention this, I just finished doing the dishes from last nights dinner. I didn't do them last night because I was making a lens. :)
 
I ordered a soft latex rubber hose and some grease that will hopefully give a me a good seal on my vacuum chamber, to achieve the proper vacuum pressure I need. I also ordered a vibration motor to make my own vibration table. I am hoping this will help release any more air bubbles remaining from the degassing. I am doing this all in an attempt not to use a pressure pot, which are quite expensive.
 
I'm just trying to help the guy, don't want good materials going to waste.:rolleyes:

Yeah,what happened to that list? I could get at least 7-8 names off the thread you posted. :poke:
I had a few things tie up my time since New Years. Starting to get freed up. Income tax time is almost here, and with working Uber the past year, I have to get ALL the records in order for the accountant.
 
Working on the next mold. I have made logical improvements in the mold, where they were not the best methods and from the first mold.

No lens made on my first mold. I didn't receive the latex hose, which I hope will make a better seal. This is critical in making the lens, but not in making the mold.

My vibration motor did come and made my own vibration table out of scrap wood in my shop.

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Note to self when pouring a 3lb mold gluestick construction is not the best method. What a mess. From this point forward I will be using wood that is screwed together to form my mold box.

I made a bigger mess trying to salvage some of the mold product it was all contained in my turkey roaster.

Thank God I did this in the in the basement not the kitchen. I will share the good with the bad. At this point I will just let it set up before I attempt any more clean up.
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Well the clean up has begun. Not too bad, it only sticks to itself. Once it is dry it just peals off in one piece.

I believe I was able to salvage the mold, so long as there are no unseen air bubbles. There are none on the sides so I am feeling pretty good.

I cut some pieces of wood and will pour another 1/2" on top, which is the amount I lost every where else.

I can laugh about it now, but I was not too happy at he time. My wife is an art teacher and works with glue guns all the time. When she saw my mold box she had her doubts if it would hold, but didn't tell me. Thats alright I wouldn't have listened too her, and now she would be telling me I told you so. :)

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Starting over on my vacuum chamber. After further research I have discovered my single stage vacuum pump will not achieve the 29Hg with my 2.5 gallon pot. Also the pot is too small for the 5 quart mixing containers. Going with a more powerful 2 stage pump and a 5 gallon pressure pot.
 
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