Envirotex Build Guide - final update

[SillyOctpuss]

To drill out resin you'll need stepped drill bits, do not use regular drill bits or they'll lift the resin from the surface of the enclosure. I bought a set of three from Amazon about 8 years ago and am still using the same ones. They start at 4mm and go up in 2mm steps.



Now I don't use a pilot hole on these I just go straight in with the stepped bit. I like to line it up by eye and then bring the drill bit down to the top of the enclosure and pull it down a little into the surface of the resin to test I'm somewhere close to the centre of the hole. If you put a little pressure the sharp point of the drill bit will leave a little white mark on the resin so you can see where you are





Once you're happy then just go for it drilling at a really slow speed. If you're slightly off while going through the resin then the enclosure will catch the bit and pull it back in line. The holes are so large though that it's really easy to line it up.

I tried to shoot a quick video of this earlier and it probably wasn't the safest thing ever I was in the house on my own so was holding the enclosure with one hand, operating the drill with the other and holding my phone under my chin

Then just rinse and repeat for the rest of your enclosures.

Actually with the 3mm led I don't drill those out I either leave them visible under the envirotex or hide them under the decal. I'll explain in a picture later on.

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Once you're done then you're done and ready to build some pedals in these bad boys




The envirotex also makes a bit of mess, thankfully it doesn't smell or anything and it's just soft bits of plastic.




Here's an example of the LED hole hidden under the decal



With a really bright white led under there it shines through really well and is completely invisible when it's not on. You genuinely would have no idea the pedal even had an led when it's not on. This is the light from the sun shining through the window to give you an idea.




Then after cleaning we're all done. I hope this was helpful to a full people and wasn't too simplistic. If anyone wants to try resin and has any questions then just ask here or shoot me a message. I'll post some build reports on these when I get some circuits into them.

 

[Guardians of the analog]

Thanks for doing this. I know the effort it takes to do a tutorial and this was a fantastic one. Pedals turned out great and I look forward to seeing the build reports!

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Thanks for doing this. I know the effort it takes to do a tutorial and this was a fantastic one. Pedals turned out great and I look forward to seeing the build reports!

Thanks, I really appreciate that. Fingers crossed the first build report should be up tomorrow night.

 

[jcpst]

Hi, I I have a couple enclosures I did. One turned out great, the other was a bit cloudy, and got cloudier after I applied rain-x, and no amount of buffing/cleaning got it to un-cloud. The edges of the face cured nice but most of the middle is cloudy. It was kind of strange because I did both at the same time.

There are things I can do for the next time. It actually stormed quite a bit after I started. I'll get a dehumidifier for the next batch.

Anyhoo.... here's my question. I read that you can sand and add another layer. Would this clear it up, or is it best to heat it up, peel it off and start over?

 

[jcpst]

For anyone curious, I sanded the cloudy one down with 400 grit, wiped it down with methylated spirits. I put on a 2nd layer and so far it’s crystal clear.

 

[bean]

One trick I found with the Envirotex: cover the inside with painters tape, then cut out the holes with an Xacto knife before pouring. When it's cured, just remove the tape along with the excess drip. No need to re-drill You might have to bore the holes slightly with the knife but that only takes a minute.

 

[jcpst]

Hey @bean, I’m not sure if I follow. Tape the inside with painter’s tape and cut out the tape where the enclosure holes are?

 

[bean]

Hey @bean, I’m not sure if I follow. Tape the inside with painter’s tape and cut out the tape where the enclosure holes are?

That's right - cover up the drilled holes from the inside. Let the Envirotex drip through when poured, then remove the tape afterward. You do have to elevate the enclosure a bit.

 

[jcpst]

Cool, thanks. I had an assumption that it would make bad-looking flow marks, based on some of the earlier posts in this tutorial. I’ll give it a shot on my next batch.

 

[Spiff4565]

I've tried pouring resin and Everytime this happens.


The resin is supposedly self leveling but for whatever reason it won't settle evenly.

I am using Fuhitim resin. What brand are you using or have positive experiences with.

And I did measure both parts by volume and mixed thoroughly for over two minutes.

 

[spi]

I've tried pouring resin and Everytime this happens.
View attachment 85266

The resin is supposedly self leveling but for whatever reason it won't settle evenly.

I am using Fuhitim resin. What brand are you using or have positive experiences with.

And I did measure both parts by volume and mixed thoroughly for over two minutes.

I've only tried envirotex, and had no issues with leveling.

 

[Spiff4565]

I got some envirotex and mixed, mixed and mixed. Then I transferred to new container and mixed the @#$#! out of that. No issues with this product or method.