Those are awesome!

I'm getting mine from Wisdom Check. Many good reviews, uses resin that doesn't cause cure inhibition, and excellent customer service!

A friend once told me that if something is too expensive for you, you're not the target customer. I remember this in all aspects of business that I go into. Also, stone is not an easy material to work with.

Custom items are always more expensive because they're specifically made to order for the individual buyer. You're talking about buying customized items in specific materials, and that's fine! But you're going to pay for the specificness of the orders you make, because you're paying artists for their art. Perhaps you should consider other options? Plastic may not give the feel that you want, but it wouldn't break the bank on a prototype of a game.

Keeps me grounded.

Also PPE... I forget that most don't have it laying around like I do.

cries in hopes deferred I'll get there eventually lmaoooo.

Oh yeah, and the proper polishing materials are important too!

Hi wis!

I'm starting out. I already do resin flat pours, so I was able to avoid some common beginner issues without a pressure pot. That being said, $50 for a gallon of 2 part resin, micas, inks, dyes, paints, a quality degasser... I'm over $500 already. I still need to purchase a pressure pot, dice masters, and mold making supplies. That'll run me up another $300, I'm sure.

Tbf my mom set me up with everything for flat pours as a gift so most of it hasn't been out of my own pocket. You'll need to keep 91% alcohol at hand for heat-free bubble popping, and it'll go faster than you expect. The cheap molds on Amazon are not ideal for anything and have major flaws. I have 2 and don't recommend them at all. UV resin can be helpful for fixing voids, and you'll need a UV light to cure it if you go that route.

This isn't a cheap hobby lol.

I'm definitely interested!

I showed my 12 yo and she's laugh crying about how you're even supposed to read them.

Those are traumatically awesome. Good job!

I noted a large decrease in small air bubbles on the top face after getting my vacuum chamber, but it definitely won't fix glaring issues, or ensure a bubble free cast.

Not at all. I recently purchased a vacuum chamber setup accidentally. I meant to get a pressure pot. I will say, the vacuum chamber clears all the bubbles very well and has been a benefit to me in my dice making journey! I'll also say, out of 5 sets I've only had one single die come out bubble free. It's okay, I'm just practicing and learning new things.

A pressure pot will compress the air bubbles that make it into the mold so they're invisible. A vacuum chamber will clear the bubbles before you pour your resin into the mold.

I'm personally happy with the vacuum chamber and will be keeping it. I can't progress further without a pressure pot, though. I can't make a quality mold with a vacuum chamber, or cast clear dice reliably with it. It's another tool that is helpful in the long run though.

So you know, it can dry out your molds over time. But I'm working with cheap temu type molds currently, so I'm not too concerned. I'll stress once I get my pressure pot and masters and make a good mold.

Very nice! I'm also working sans pressure pot for now. A good trick is to spray a bit of 91% alcohol into the mold before pouring. That plus my new vacuum chamber has changed the game for me.

I'm doing it without a pressure pot for now too. Look at it as great practice! I did finally make 2 perfect d20's finally with no bubbles after getting a vacuum chamber. Which I accidentally bought instead of a pressure pot.

I met some great folks who make dice professionally though. And they were impressed I got to this point, looks like a similar point as you have, without pressure. This is good practice for when you do get the pressure pot.

Gonna be trying this soon now that we have a pump that can vac to waste. Looks nice!

So I have bubbles in all of the 2 sets I poured, besides the d20's. Pretty happy with that result, since I've never had any bubble free before. I think I'll keep the degassing setup. It's not what I wanted, but seeing improvement this quickly makes me feel more positively about keeping it.

This. This is it. A lot of people don't realize that the sub has the power in a healthy dom/sub scenario. The sub consents. The sub can withdraw consent. The don has to listen and respect the sub, no matter what, or the scenario becomes nonconsensual, and the trust that exists in a healthy relationship is gone.

My ex enjoyed certain things and did them constantly to me. I was young and inexperienced, and thought since we were married it was his right due to my upbringing.

I divorced him after something awful happened, and met my now husband. We occasionally mutually enjoy the same things, but my husband understands my drawbacks and is respectful about it. He asks, and if I'm not into the idea, he drops it. I sometimes initiate those things, so it's fully consensual when it does happen.

See the difference? My ex didn't respect my discomfort, or my refusal. He did what he wanted despite me. My husband is respectful and understanding that I don't wish to do those things often, but when I do want to, I enjoy it. He values my enjoyment, not just his own. At this point, he asks a day in advance, and if I agree, he confirms again before we do it.

You need to find a good partner who isn't going to try to degrade you, who values you, and who respects your healing and trauma. Anal is obviously not something you like or want to attempt to try consensually. Your current partner is trying to use you to fulfill a fantasy of his, regardless of your interest in it.

I wish you the best in your healing journey, and I strongly suggest you see a therapist about your trauma. It helped me immensely.

NTA, you're just a traumatized woman dealing with a pushy AH who doesn't deserve you. Consent is always key and should never be cohersed.

It really doesn't even get out all of the bubbles from what I can tell. And it's a 5 gallon, because I wanted room to grow without needing to size up and didn't realize I was buying the wrong item.

I might just return and swap.... I was too rushed while shopping for a pressure pot finally and didn't read descriptions in my excitement. I was planning to make dice tonight.

I just did this.... Thanks for your post. frustrated hair pulling

I'm just an above ground pool owner, but I have both types. If the test strip concerns me, I pull out the mad scientist kit to get a more specific reading. Not sure how many professionals do that, but it seems like it would be a logical way to get an overview if the pool is settled well.