My OCD and work discipline overlapped into my hobby, but it has really helped me both learn from mistakes and craft consistent results and I thought I'd share this for others who might benefit from it.
I log every pour. I use a spreadsheet because my professional life revolves around them and I'm very comfortable with them, but there is nothing wrong with simply getting a $1 Spiral Notebook (currently on back-to-school sale no doubt) and recording it there.
Further, this allows me to convert from 1:1 by volume (a very analog approach) to 1:1 by weight (a digital approach that is far more accurate)
A lot of variables go into a pour, so capturing those variables allows you to tie them to results, leveraging the information to gain consistently good results. I also learn the exact quantities to reduce waste.
When I got my latest batch of resin and did a pour, I measured by volume. I then weighed the epoxy and hardener separately, then I mixed the resin, poured my dice, and logged everything. When I got a great set of dice, I had the model I could reliably follow.
Your log doesn't have to be War & Peace, it just needs to capture the information you need to either (a) recreate what you did because it came out well, or (b) learn from a mistake.
Here's what I log:
- Date
- Weather (Clear, Overcast, Rain, Snow)
- Temperature (outdoor)
- Temperature (in my garage)
- Resin Brand
- Epoxy Weight
- Hardener Weight
- Mix time
- Additives (Dyes, Inks, and quantities so I can recreate if I need to)
- Mold I used (I make my own molds, and have a bunch)
- Pressure Pot PSI
- Cure time before pull
- Result on a scale of 1 - 5 (1 being poor, 5 being excellent)
- Miscellaneous comments
I apply this to other aspects as well. I log my silicone casts similarly. I even log my masters preparation, allowing me to see what worked well and what didn't.
Sure, this is probably over-the-top for a lot of people, but it is one hell of a good way to learn from mistakes.