Haven't posted here in quite a long time, just started getting the Rodmaker Magazine again and just put up pics of some Cholla Cactus Skeletons filled with resin.

those are very nicely done. I have wanted to do some for awhile, but haven;t had the time. it is on my bucket list of rodbuilding things. they are really nice. did you use a polyester resin or maybe inlace? How is the cactus to work with?

john timberlake Wrote:
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> those are very nicely done.

Thanks John ... while I have cast my own a friend did this batch. I got the wife a
new Nikon for her purse and I haven't figured out how to take good pics with it
yet so not sharp and clear.

> I have wanted to do some for awhile, but haven;t had the time. it is
> on my bucket list of rodbuilding things. they are really nice.
> did you use a polyester resin or maybe inlace?

These are cast with Alumilite Water Clear Resin and the colors are mica powders.

>How is the cactus to work with?

Challenging ... The resin turns like butter and I like Alumilite because it doesn't stink like Polyester Resin.
PR takes a better shine than Alumilite but I've gotten around that hurddle.

The cactus on the other hand can be very cooperative or explosive. I had finished one and painted the inside
white and realized I had undercut the tenon by 0.60 and put it back on the lathe and it exploded.

Today I'm going to use some 3/8" aluminum tubing so there is total support for the cactus skeleton.