10 replies to this topic

[dave]

i like to see a bit of technology..............

 

what kind of press is being used ? looks pneumatic control.

 

nice size for hobbiest

 

dave

 

[barnsley-mark]

Yes that is pneumatic (compressed air powered) very cheap air cylinders on eBay etc.

[Arthur Brown]

When you make one please fit dual control! two buttons keep two thumbs out of the press area.

[dave]

that's a fair point Arthur !

 

dave

[PyroSkitz]

oh i want one of those!! now how do i get my self a hold of a mini pneumatic press

[Mumbles]

It's sort of unfortunate that who ever made that video has very little idea what they're doing.  They have such a nice setup.  It's a shame to see them butcher everything. 

[Sparky]

Mumbles - as a bit of a newbie I'd be keen to know what you think they are doing wrong. I've not used a star plate like that before so I would be going on instinct.

[Mumbles]

Oh, sorry.  I probably should include stuff like that. 

 

After rewatching just now, I think I misinterpreted some things last time.  If you're going to fill the cavities like that, you need to just fill them and leave it.  If you keep stirring and shaking everything around until all the comp you add settles into the holes you get the randomly sized stars that he gets.  I didn't realize how far the pegs go through the plate the first time, so I think I was initially thinking he had some extremely short stars, when in reality they were just the pegs.  Toward the end when he's pumping individual comets, the composition is extremely overwet.  Given the amount of crumbles on his drying screen show that he's either being too rough with the stars, or his composition isn't properly wet, or that he isn't pressing them hard enough.  I'm also not a big fan of him not giving credit for that formula (which isn't new or his).  Additionally the rest of his channel includes videos of other people's shells, which he claim as his, which kind of rubbed me the wrong way. 

[dr thrust]

I like the design of the plate, I realise the wide spacing of the pegs doesn't give you as many stars per pressing
But I would imagine it would be a breeze to clean, I've never used one but always thought how the hell do you clean the dam thing inbetween the pegs , some of the plates I've seen the grouping is quite close

Edited by dr thrust, 25 May 2013 - 09:07 AM.

[Arthur Brown]

The pin count and spacing is part of the powder pressure calculation. more square inches of powder will need more pounds to compress it hard enough.

[Mumbles]

There are some round brushes that make cleaning the holes a breeze.  Cleaning between the pins can be tricky if they're too close.  A hose or sink have worked for me.  If you're worried about some dried on material, soaking it in water before hosing or rinsing it off will help.