Post #615551 by Trader Tom on Mon, Nov 28, 2011 3:05 PM

I'm so excited about new resin/chunk lamps being made. It's something I thought of doing for a long time but never got around to.

I was very concerned about the possibility of these lights emitting cancerous chemicals when heated up by even a low wattage light bulb from inside. So, I did a little research.

I had a conversation with my uncle who was a research chemist for Monsanto for several decades. He has hundreds of patents and a research grant named after him. Brilliant guy. I felt a little sheepish asking him about how best to make Tiki lamps, but I bit the bullet and did just that.

He advised against using the kind of resin that we see many Tiki pendants and other objects being made out of. Basically, against anything from Reynolds Advanced Materials over in North Hollywood (a favorite for many in the Tiki community and also for special effects designers).

However, my uncle did recommend two safe options: 1) epoxy fiberglass resin and 2) Polycarbonate CR-39 or other polyester and especially fiber-filled casting formulations using these polymers.

I talked to the guys at Reynolds and they confirmed what my uncle said and then suggested AP products in Pacoima, CA. AP does carry polyester resins.

I never made it up there to check them out. I never got price quotes or found out more about using their polyester resins.

However, I thought I'd pass it on and maybe somebody else would find the info useful.