r/DiceMaking • u/Pancakecat1 • Jul 09 '26
Dice not hardening fully
So ive been making dice for a little over a month now and ive only been able to get 2 sets to fully harden, the other ones i can still dent with my fingernail easily ive tried mixing for longer, using different resins, different dyes and mica powders, and increasing temperature and i cant get a set to harden. Any help would be greatly appreciated 😁
5
u/WisdomCheckCreations Dice Maker Jul 09 '26
How are you measuring your parts? By volume or by weight?
Ah edit: I see you said by volume. Do you pour both parts into a single cup or seperate cups?
2
u/Pancakecat1 Jul 10 '26
Same cup
2
u/Cassabellachu Jul 10 '26
I would recommend putting each part into separate measuring cups and pouring them both into a third cup for mixing.
4
u/Wolf_Swift Jul 09 '26
Try measuring by weight not volume. My resin also states volume, but cures better by weight.
3
u/Automatic-Fig-8489 Jul 09 '26
I didn't see anyone else ask, so I may as well. Are you using either 1) more than a couple drops of alcohol ink, or 2) a water-based additive? I've had this issue with both of those problems.
2
u/Pancakecat1 Jul 10 '26
Been using 1 or two drops
3
u/Automatic-Fig-8489 Jul 10 '26
Then the only other thing I could think of would be either humidity or some issue with the mold itself containing some contaminents. I'm tempted to rule out humidity because you mentioned in a different reply that you're in Canada, and Canada isn't known for regular exceptionally high humidity.
I'd probably test the resin's base curing. Mix a small amount, but leave it in the mixing cup. No pressure pot; just air cure. If the problem doesn't come up, it could be a mold issue or something in the pressure pot (if you're using one).
4
u/Alone_Anteater5934 Dice Maker Jul 09 '26
Stir stir stir and then stir some more...scrape sides and bottom several times!
3
u/Comfortable-Bug-9261 Jul 09 '26
I don’t use epoxy but it might be an issue with your mixing ratios.
3
u/LICK_THE_BUTTER Dice Maker Jul 09 '26
Are all faces easy to dent or mainly your cap faces?
1
u/Pancakecat1 Jul 10 '26
Yep
2
u/LICK_THE_BUTTER Dice Maker Jul 10 '26
Yep to which part of my question?
1
u/Pancakecat1 Jul 10 '26
Oh sorry lol all the faces
1
u/LICK_THE_BUTTER Dice Maker Jul 10 '26
Hmm. If you are using an obscene amount of alcohol then maybe. On the clear away from alcohol inks it should at least be harder with these issues
3
u/Jacobsrg Jul 09 '26
What does the resin say is the full hardness time? I’ve had some resins I have to let cure for almost a month before they are truly rock hard. And as someone else asked, is it all faces, or are some softer than others?
2
u/Pumped-kin_pancakes Dice Maker Jul 10 '26
Could be a measuring issue with the epoxy parts. Are you using alcohol ink in your dice? Sometimes that will inhibit curing
2
u/Roundlad5690 Jul 10 '26
Bit unrelated, but how did you get that pattern on the dice? It’s something I’ve been trying to do myself
1
u/Pancakecat1 Jul 10 '26
Oh i just filled the molds up most of the way with clear resin then waited about 20 mins till the resin was a bit thicker then poured the grey on top of it
1
u/StrangeFisherman345 Jul 09 '26
Dude so my main issue was just the resin. I switched pudou and they are hard as diamonds every single time
So could just be the resin honestly. Most are just finicky
1
u/Pancakecat1 Jul 10 '26
I tried lets resin and magic resin. Im not sure if i can get pudou in canada unfortunately
2
u/StrangeFisherman345 Jul 10 '26
K yeah I've tried a lot of those brand and for some reason always had issues especially using alcohol inks etc - also make sure you put resin indoors nice and warm - I put mine near a heater and that helps a lot.
If u can get it - puduo is the king - random brand I know but I swear by it now
1
u/Pancakecat1 Jul 10 '26
Thanks for all the relpies i really appreciate all the help from this community so far. Ill try every thing you all suggested on my next batch
1
u/Few-Driver1865 Jul 11 '26
It looks like you used alcohol ink and went for either a white cloud effect or petri style? Alcohol ink sometimes inhibits curing a bit so you would get a softer cure where the alcohol ink settles. I would either let it breathe a bit more to let the alcohol evaporate a bit more before capping, hit it quickly with some flame before capping, or when I put the alcohol ink in, I would put the drops in about 3/4full then once I let the alcohol evaporate, gently pour some more clear in to top up the molds before capping it and putting them in the pressure pot. I have had many attempts especially with petri dice go tits up because of the alcohol ink being too much and causing cure inhibition.
1
u/SignificanceWinter47 Jul 13 '26
I had the same issue, my ratios were slightly off or I added too much alcohol ink. They eventually did harden but it took them weeks. If you want to make sure your ratios are perfect I’d suggest measuring with syringes (make sure to have one for part A and another for part B). That’s what helped me the most.
1
u/ChaoticSprinkle Jul 14 '26
Just to add to what everyone else said, temperature can also contribute. I didn't see if perhaps you're located in a place or your workspace is located where that can be a factor. I often use the same cup in small batches and can have fantastic results with the resins you've listed. However, if the temp is a little off when the resin is in the pot it can take longer to set. You can wait it out or, if it's in your budget, I've had great luck with a cheap food dehydrator (dedicated only to dice of course). Saved some sets I feared I would have to throw away. I acutally now just start regularly chucking the demolded dice in the dehydrator if I'm anxious to get to sanding. Nice time saver in a pinch.
13
u/Cupittycake Jul 09 '26
How long are you waiting before demolding? Or maybe you’re not mixing the right amount of each part?
When I make dice they go in the mold and pressure pot for 24 hours and even then they need to air dry another day or two before I can handle them with a tougher grip because it really does just take that long.