Lesson 1Tools, equipment, an' PPE: mixin cups, scales, spreaders, heat sources (torch vs. heat gun), respirators, gloves, eye protection, ventilation an' workspace setupSet up a safe, efficient resin workspace wid di right tools an' PPE. Yuh wi choose accurate mixin gear, heat sources, an' ventilation, an' learn how fi protect yuh lungs, skin, an' eyes durin every pour.
Essential mixin cups, sticks, an' scalesSpreaders, brushes, an' detail toolsTorch vs. heat gun: when an' how fi useRespirators, gloves, an' eye protectionVentilation strategies fi small studiosOrganizin a clean, dust-controlled areaLesson 2Sourcin realistic product examples: how fi compare brands by TDS, customer reviews, an' lab data (what fi look fi in examples)Learn how fi evaluate real epoxy products usin technical data, lab tests, an' user feedback. Yuh wi compare brands, spot marketin hype, an' build a shortlist a reliable resins fi different craft applications.
Key info fi extract from epoxy TDS sheetsUsin viscosity, hardness, an' clarity metricsInterpretin cure schedules an' temperature limitsEvaluatin yellowin an' UV resistance claimsWeighin lab tests against customer reviewsLesson 3Additives an' modifiers: pigments (mica, powdered, liquid dyes), alcohol inks, UV stabilizers, thickeners, an' flexibilizersLearn how additives change colour, flow, flexibility, an' durability. Yuh wi compare pigment types, alcohol inks, UV stabilizers, thickeners, an' flexibilizers, an' practice safe, measured dosin fi repeatable results.
Mica powders fi shimmer an' coverageLiquid dyes an' transparent colour effectsUsin alcohol inks widout overreactinUV stabilizers an' anti-yellowin packagesThickeners, fillers, an' texture modifiersFlexibilizers fi impact-resistant piecesLesson 4Inclusions an' findings: natural inclusions (dried flowers, shells), metallic leaf/foil, glitter types, pigments vs. dyes — compatibility an' sealin needsExplore how flowers, shells, metals, an' colourants behave in resin. Yuh wi learn which inclusions safe, how fi dry an' seal dem, an' how fi prevent bleedin, bubbles, an' corrosion in finished pieces.
Preparin an' dryin natural inclusionsSealin porous items fi prevent bubblesUsin metallic leaf, foil, an' metal findingsChoosin glitter types dat resist sinkinPigments vs. dyes: opacity an' bleed controlTestin compatibility before full poursLesson 5Undahtandin resin chemistry: pot life, workin time, exotherm, cure stages, an' shelf lifeGain a practical view a epoxy chemistry so yuh can pour safe an' predictable. Yuh wi learn how pot life, exotherm, cure stages, an' storage conditions affect workin time, strength, an' long-term stability.
What pot life an' workin time really meanExotherm: heat buildup an' how fi control itGel, green, an' full cure stages explainedEffects a temperature an' humidity on cureShelf life, crystallisation, an' storage tipsLesson 6Types a epoxy resins: castin, laminatin, tabletop, UV, domin — properties an' appropriate usesUndahtand di main epoxy resin families an' when fi use each. Yuh wi compare castin, laminatin, tabletop, UV, an' domin systems by depth limits, clarity, hardness, an' heat resistance fi specific craft projects.
Castin resins fi deep, clear poursLaminatin resins fi layers an' fibreglassTabletop resins fi coatings an' bar topsDomin resins fi jewellery an' labelsUV-curin resins: pros, cons, an' limitsLesson 7Molds an' mold materials: silicone, rigid molds, two-part molds — release, shrinkage, an' surface finish considerationsDiscover how mold materials affect cure, clarity, an' demoldin. Yuh wi compare silicone an' rigid molds, learn when fi use two-part molds, an' manage release agents, shrinkage, an' surface finish quality.
Choosin between silicone an' rigid moldsDesignin an' usin two-part moldsApplyin an' selectin mold release agentsManagin shrinkage an' dimensional accuracyImprovin gloss an' reducin surface defectsLesson 8Product selection checklist: how fi read technical data sheets (TDS) an' safety data sheets (SDS) fi curin times, mix ratios, temperature ranges, an' yellowin resistanceDevelop a step-by-step method fi choosin epoxy products. Yuh wi read TDS an' SDS fi mix ratios, cure times, an' hazards, den build a checklist dat matches resin properties to yuh specific craft goals.
Key sections a epoxy TDS fi reviewFindin cure time an' recoat window dataReadin SDS fi health an' fire hazardsCheckin temperature an' humidity limitsAssessin yellowin an' outdoor durabilityBuildin a repeatable selection checklist
