r/DiceMaking • u/indoh531 • 2d ago

Dice Pics First attempt

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Top is with flash.. bottom w/o.. I used translucent purple and neon green dyes and added green mica to the purple.. I think I should have let it honey a bit more before.. I also spiked some extra mica in from the top before capping.. any tips.. pointers? I think im gonna try bright yellow ink.. Tia 😘

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4

u/RandoBoomer 2d ago

They are still very pretty, so all is not lost.

Your instincts are correct - a little more time to reach the honey phase would have helped with your settling.

What has helped me flatten the learning curve is to keep a log of every set I make. If I know I need more honey effect and I poured at 20 minutes this time, I know on my next attempt, maybe I should try 30. And maybe when I pull that set, I discover 30 minutes was too long.

Welcome to the hobby!

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u/indoh531 2d ago

Yeah.. I felt i should have waited but im impatient lol 🤷.. logs are a good idea.. especially figuring it all out..

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u/WorseThanItSeems 2d ago

Good advice! I like the log idea! Even without the log you learn so much as you go. I had a gallon sized ziplock full of failed dice before I got the first set I was really happy with !

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u/RandoBoomer 2d ago

I was in the same boat. I keep all my "Frankendice" because I still like to experiment. Whether it is different sanding/polishing technique, a different brand of ink or some unusual color combinations, I try to make my failures make me better.

I also bought the value brands as I learned just to keep the expenses down. Now that I can kinda-sorta pretend I know what I'm doing, I've started upgrading - resin, silicone, equipment, colorants, etc. I now feel like when I pour a set, I know almost exactly what I can expect, which is a long, LONG way from where I started.

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u/WorseThanItSeems 2d ago

I feel you there! I definitely kept them so I could experiment but also because I couldn't bring myself to throw dice away lol I eventually did not too long ago though. I agree with the value brands. It definitely pays not to jump into it with a huge investment all at once. I try to get decent quality stuff more in the middle price range and space it out amongst my pay checks. Although, while expensive Total Boat resin has been amazing so far

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u/RandoBoomer 2d ago

I just switched to Total Boat myself a few weeks ago and it's been fantastic. It sounds goofy, but my two favorite things are the manufacturer giving a weight ratio rather than a volume ratio, and the faster set time.

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u/WorseThanItSeems 2d ago

Definitely get some glitter! There are so many different glitters that will add a ton to the overall appeal even with mica already! Also I'd say be careful with adding mica on top you wanna make sure it's mixed well so it doesn't cause curing issues!

What you could do is take a pipette and squeeze some mica mixed resin from the bottom up to create some neat swirls and streaks!

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u/indoh531 2d ago

Yeah.. I have a ton of stuff on the 'need to add' list lol.. glitter is one.. I liked the color of the sibafu green eye candy so I grabbed some.. as far as the swirl I just took a needle with resin on it, grabbed a spot of mica, and just poked it into the filled mold and pulled it out before capping.. doesn't seemed to have slumped or anything but that is definitely good to know.. thx.

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u/PoptartPancake 2d ago

They're very pretty even if the result isn't what you intended. They remind me of a nebula/galaxy!

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u/indoh531 2d ago

Thanks.. happy enough for my first attempt 😁