Any advice for resin on this piece?

[Brett Johnson]

Earlier today I posted a bowl turned from a chunk of cherry from a neighbor, the piece on the left in the attached photo here. I still have the piece on the right. It's shallower overall, maybe two inches, and I'd like to give it a turn and see what happens. Of course, there is a rather large and deep cavern as you can see. I was thinking about using resin, fill the void completely, and then turn maybe a shallow bowl or plate of some sort, to show off the resin. I do not have a pressure pot. Should I hold onto this chunk for awhile longer and wait to invest in a pot? Or is there resin I can safely use, minimize bubbles etc., and give it whirl? I've never tried resin before, may as well try on a piece that literally began as firewood. Who knows what it may look like.

 

[Brian Gustin]

Earlier today I posted a bowl turned from a chunk of cherry from a neighbor, the piece on the left in the attached photo here. I still have the piece on the right. It's shallower overall, maybe two inches, and I'd like to give it a turn and see what happens. Of course, there is a rather large and deep cavern as you can see. I was thinking about using resin, fill the void completely, and then turn maybe a shallow bowl or plate of some sort, to show off the resin. I do not have a pressure pot. Should I hold onto this chunk for awhile longer and wait to invest in a pot? Or is there resin I can safely use, minimize bubbles etc., and give it whirl? I've never tried resin before, may as well try on a piece that literally began as firewood. Who knows what it may look like.

Pressure pot is used to compress any air bubbles in the resin/epoxy.. You could get a crafter's resin kit on Amazon or bartop epoxy (but it doesn't deep pour well) you would not need a pressure pot unless you are concerned about air bubbles in the finished product, IMHO.
In any case, your choice of resin or epoxy, you will want to consider carefully the maximum pour depth - some of them do not cure well when doing a thick pour (But some can be poured in layers) - There's tons of kinds of epoxy and resins , and some have a big sticker price....

Myself, I have done epoxy and resin twice ever (a $39.95 arts & crafts epoxy kit from amazon - just about a quart in total), and both times convinced me to find alternatives to fill voids - I HATE Turning the stuff, it leaves an unholy mess, and it is hard to clean up afterwards, Even after a year and a half I am still finding ribbons of epoxy shavings that got flung in nooks and crannies or stuck to back of router cabinet (Static cling, stuff sticks like that white foam packaging stuff does), and so on , Plus it contaminates my wood shavings pile which I get rid of by giving to local chicken farmers, so I have to segregate and clean up before I turn anything but wood on the lathe. So, while Epoxy , Resin and Acrylics may make some beautiful pieces, I simply won't turn it any more, just too much hassle...

 

[Terry Sproull]

Earlier today I posted a bowl turned from a chunk of cherry from a neighbor, the piece on the left in the attached photo here. I still have the piece on the right. It's shallower overall, maybe two inches, and I'd like to give it a turn and see what happens. Of course, there is a rather large and deep cavern as you can see. I was thinking about using resin, fill the void completely, and then turn maybe a shallow bowl or plate of some sort, to show off the resin. I do not have a pressure pot. Should I hold onto this chunk for awhile longer and wait to invest in a pot? Or is there resin I can safely use, minimize bubbles etc., and give it whirl? I've never tried resin before, may as well try on a piece that literally began as firewood. Who knows what it may look like.

just used UltraClear products for the first time on a table. I know this isn"t a turning but the product worked very well and they have a deep pour product that may work for you. the site is (https://www.bestbartopepoxy.com/) check it out

 

[Alan Weinberg]

just used UltraClear products for the first time

just ordered—thanks. Looks like a great product.

 

[Chuck Kubin]

Concentrate on the overall design first because it is easier than making an ugly duckling look like a swan later; don't let the inlay determine the design. Minimize how much you need by turning the wood close to your finished design.
To pick colors, dab some finish on the wood to see what it will look like, and use manufacturers' color charts to determine what colors, metallics or dye looks best to you.
You can use rice (uncooked of course) to determine the volume you need. Carefully follow the directions for mixing, slowly pouring the parts together and using wide popsicle stick to GENTLY stir the mix and colors to minimize bubbles. The pour goes EVERYWHERE, so dam off the area with silicone, hot glue or craft putty to allow you to slightly overpour the depression and voids. If a crack runs through to the back side, dam that off too.
A heat gun or torch gently swept over the surface will bring up and pop air bubbles.
Let it cure longer than the recommended time to ensure it is hard. Use carbide (preferred) or VERY sharp gouges to turn as the surface is plastic. You can fill tiny voids in the finished inlay with CA.
What Brett said earlier is true. Your shavings go everywhere, don't act like wood shavings and are elusive, but don't let that stop you from trying it out.

 

[Terry Sproull]

If you have to paint on a first coat, put the bottle of resin only in a hot bucket of water for 15 to 20 minutes to warm up. Then mix in the harder. This will help it to brush on a lot easier! You do not want a thick first coat. do not pour on, brush only first coat.

 

[Brent Gifford]

Earlier today I posted a bowl turned from a chunk of cherry from a neighbor, the piece on the left in the attached photo here. I still have the piece on the right. It's shallower overall, maybe two inches, and I'd like to give it a turn and see what happens. Of course, there is a rather large and deep cavern as you can see. I was thinking about using resin, fill the void completely, and then turn maybe a shallow bowl or plate of some sort, to show off the resin. I do not have a pressure pot. Should I hold onto this chunk for awhile longer and wait to invest in a pot? Or is there resin I can safely use, minimize bubbles etc., and give it whirl? I've never tried resin before, may as well try on a piece that literally began as firewood. Who knows what it may look like.

I've used epoxy in this kind of situation many times. I do recommendation getting a round negative rake carbide cutter, works much better on epoxy. Go for it.

Earlier today I posted a bowl turned from a chunk of cherry from a neighbor, the piece on the left in the attached photo here. I still have the piece on the right. It's shallower overall, maybe two inches, and I'd like to give it a turn and see what happens. Of course, there is a rather large and deep cavern as you can see. I was thinking about using resin, fill the void completely, and then turn maybe a shallow bowl or plate of some sort, to show off the resin. I do not have a pressure pot. Should I hold onto this chunk for awhile longer and wait to invest in a pot? Or is there resin I can safely use, minimize bubbles etc., and give it whirl? I've never tried resin before, may as well try on a piece that literally began as firewood. Who knows what it may look like.