Less-Resin moulds are silicone casting moulds designed around specific pen kit tubes. The idea is simple: cast closer to the size you actually need, so less excess resin has to be poured and then turned away.
Why use a Less-Resin mould?
A conventional pen blank often contains considerably more material than the finished pen requires. That extra material can be useful for general-purpose blanks, but when you already know which pen kit you are making, it can also mean using resin that will simply end up as shavings.
Our Less-Resin moulds are designed for compatible pen kits and hold the tubes in position while the resin cures. By casting nearer to the required dimensions, they can reduce resin waste and the amount of material that needs to be removed on the lathe.
How do Less-Resin pen moulds work?
The pen kit tubes are positioned in the silicone mould using the supplied plugs. Resin is then poured around the tubes and allowed to cure in accordance with the resin manufacturer's instructions. Once cured, the casting is removed from the flexible silicone mould ready for turning and finishing.
Each Less-Resin mould includes a set of four plugs, and extra plugs are available separately.
Choosing the correct mould for your pen kit
The important part is choosing a mould designed for the pen kit you intend to cast. Different kits use different tube sizes and lengths, so the Less-Resin range includes moulds for a variety of popular kits and kit families.
For example, the range includes moulds for Slimline and Streamline, Sierra and Sirocco, Mistral and Leveche, Alpha and Sigma, Bullet and Cigar, Junior Series and other compatible kits. Always check the compatibility list on the individual mould product page before ordering.
Does using less resin save money?
Using a smaller volume of resin for each casting means less resin is turned away as waste. The actual saving will vary with the pen kit, resin and casting method, but for anyone casting regularly, reducing unnecessary material can make the process more economical as well as tidier.
Are Less-Resin moulds suitable for pressure-pot casting?
They can be used as part of a pressure-pot resin casting setup, provided you follow the instructions for your resin and pressure equipment. If you are new to pressure casting, our Pressure Pot Resin Casting Guide explains the basic process and equipment.
Browse the Less-Resin range
Nash Woodcrafts stocks a growing range of Less-Resin moulds, with many designs made in-house here in the UK. Browse our Less-Resin Casting Moulds, or visit our Resin Casting Supplies & Guides for more help with resin casting.