Clear Acrylic ?

[+slapshot52]

I’m working on a cache container idea that requires me to embed an item in a clear “acrylic like" block about 6”x4”x1”. I went to a Michael’s craft store thinking I could just buy a jug of clear stuff I could poor into a mold and it would harden. Either they don’t have anything like that or the people I didn’t get my message across to the people I asked.

 

Any ideas?

[ju66l3r]

http://www.wreathsunlimited.com/cgi-bin/sp...D2&item=SSWATER

 

I searched google for Acrylic Water...should find it in hobby shops.

[trashcann]

Search google for clear casting resin, casting resin, or polyester resin. I found there are several types with with pro's and con's for each. An Artist supply store rather than a craft store would carry many of these.

[+Honest John & Suzies Jule]

There were two types I played with many years ago.

I know one turns yellow over time, the other will not as turn as fast, but still did.

 

I am sure there is better stuff out there now.

 

They do come in two parts, and you can buy it by the pint, quart, gallon, or up to five gallon sizes.

 

That was along time ago and there might be special licenses needed for some stuff?

 

[+mrking]

I’m working on a cache container idea that requires me to embed an item in a clear “acrylic like" block about 6”x4”x1”.  I went to a Michael’s craft store thinking I could just  buy a jug of clear stuff I could poor into a mold and it would harden.  Either they don’t have anything like that or the people I didn’t get my message across to the people I asked.

 

Any ideas?

Don't use acrylic, it will break. Even casting resins are very brittle overtime, unless you decide to pour it 2" thick.

 

You will need to use LEXAN if you want a long lasting cache container.

Edited February 17, 2005 by mrking

[+New England n00b]

I don't think they are making the container out of acrylic, just something they are putting in it...?

 

EDIT: Holy carp, I cannot spell when I am in a rush

Edited February 18, 2005 by New England n00b

[+mrking]

I don't think they are making the container out of acrylic, just something thay ar eputting in it...?

oops

 

we need a blushing smiley for times like this.

Edited February 17, 2005 by mrking

[SolarOven]

Epoxy resin will turn yellow quickly if exposed to UV (sunlight).

[+JohnnyVegas]

If you have a Taps plastics in your area, they should have what you need.

[+slapshot52]

I don't think they are making the container out of acrylic, just something thay ar eputting in it...?

Thanks for all the help. You're right, I'm looking to embed a clue for a puzzle cache in a block of something that submersable in water. A water tight container tends to float and I need for it to sink, so I thought I would try to craft something solid and non-buoyant.

[+JohnnyVegas]

Would it work if you wrote the clue on a piece of plasitic and sunk it with a weight?

[+sbell111]

Thanks for all the help. You're right, I'm looking to embed a clue for a puzzle cache in a block of something that submersable in water....

I've occasionally thought about filling an ammo box half full of concrete...

[+LthrWrk]

ACE Hardware and Home Depot have this stuff.

[+Crusso]

If you are really "set" on using the plastic resin you can go to a trophy store and they will imbed the "keepsake" for you. It might be kind of pricey though.

 

For probably less than the cost of the resin you could go to an engraving place and have the clue engraved on a piece of flat metal stock (like a door name plate). And it'll sink!

 

Better yet, engrave the clue into the side of an ammo can, fill it with waterproof goodies, sink it and see how many people realize the clue IS the box, not INSIDE it!

Edited February 18, 2005 by Crusso

[+welch]

 

For probably less than the cost of the resin you could go to an engraving place and have the clue engraved on a piece of flat metal stock (like a door name plate). And it'll sink!

 

or go to a army/navy store that makes dog tags and have a set made with your info. then attach it to a weight

[Captain Chaoss]

ACE Hardware and Home Depot have this stuff.

Home Depot; what section would it be in, whats it normally used for ? Any idea on the

name ?

[+Colorado Cacher]

Place one ammo container half full of concrete in the stream under the bridge with a note in it "the cache is above you under the bridge", towels not provided.

[+CompuCash]

If you have a Taps plastics in your area, they should have what you need.

 

 

Yup - yo beat me here but what you want to ask for is

clear casting resin -

 

be careful - if you are only writing on something like paper then you should be in for an easy job -

 

I took a plastics class and learned this the hard way -

 

this stuff creates an exotherm (gets hot!). You want to mix it with minimal hardner if the item you are casting will absorb the heat. A coin for instance will expand and cause the casting to crack. Stones can do it too.

Edited February 19, 2005 by CompuCash