I probably leave a lot more to the sandpaper than most people on any blank. I just like to finish the last 1/32 or so with paper as I feel I have more control, it completely negates tool marks, and I just feel it is a smoother, more consistent finish. Especially with softer woods. Like you say, I'm not trying to be anyone's hero, I just like finishing pens that I'm happy with.
Question? Turned a pen that was embedded with a pine cone. Wherever the pine cone was there was an impression or divot. Bad blank or technique? Thanks!
I agree with slowing the lathe when sanding. If your speed is too high, the material will not clear the sandpaper and will build up and clog. Your speed should be such that you can see a light dust coming off. You'll save sandpaper and you'll get a much better result.
Yeah, it definitely does help out. If the sandpaper builds up with plastic stuff, it ends up burnishing the blank, and you end up with scratches that don't seem to ever come out
Great information! Two additional tips: 1 -- When drilling plastics, the type of drill matters. A common twist drill, designed for drilling metals, is not well suited for drilling plastics. Instead, use a drill bit with a 60 degree point or a bullet-point bit. (A standard twist drill is ground at 118 (or 135) degrees.) A 60 degree bit or a bullet-point bit put less downward pressure on the material and are less likely to cause blow-out. (See this video for a demonstration: ua-cam.com/video/wsDcbNx19WA/v-deo.html.) 2 -- When sanding plastics, use lubrication. As Zac mentioned, heat is the enemy in working with plastic or mixed media blanks. Sanding can cause a lot of heat. Slowing the speed down is only a partial solution. Using water (or another lubricant) when sanding will all but eliminate the heat. And, it will make your abrasive cut more cleanly, leaving a better surface. You can even turn up the speed and get a better surface more quickly than you could when dry sanding. Most turners wait to wet sand until they are working with micro mesh. You don't have to wait. Wet sanding works at 80 grit just as well as it does at 8,000 grit.
I tried using a higher angle drill bit once and got worse results with Alumilite blanks. I think it depends on the plastic you are drilling, better for acrylic acetate and other brittle plastics. I prefer dry sanding until polishing papers, works fine as long as you keep the speeds down and clear the paper often, but you can definitely wet sand whenever you like
Great tips, Zac. I've used sandpaper many times to finish shaping on blanks that were giving me trouble. It's not cheating at all - it is smart!
Thanks Dwight! Yeah I figure as long as it works and is safe, it's a good way to do it =D
I use that sanding to shape on the lazer cut blanks.
Great info Zack. When it comes to composite blanks, I turn to you, the the acrylic pen blank guru
Thanks Dave! Glad that I can help out =D
I've used my dremel tool with sanding disks to shape really hard materials like metal and mammoth.
People say cheating.. but there are no rules in art.. however you can successfully bring your vision to form, no matter what it is.. that's a success.
I probably leave a lot more to the sandpaper than most people on any blank. I just like to finish the last 1/32 or so with paper as I feel I have more control, it completely negates tool marks, and I just feel it is a smoother, more consistent finish. Especially with softer woods. Like you say, I'm not trying to be anyone's hero, I just like finishing pens that I'm happy with.
I agree! The best method is the one that gets you the best results =D
Question? Turned a pen that was embedded with a pine cone. Wherever the pine cone was there was an impression or divot.
Bad blank or technique? Thanks!
I agree with slowing the lathe when sanding. If your speed is too high, the material will not clear the sandpaper and will build up and clog. Your speed should be such that you can see a light dust coming off. You'll save sandpaper and you'll get a much better result.
Yeah, it definitely does help out. If the sandpaper builds up with plastic stuff, it ends up burnishing the blank, and you end up with scratches that don't seem to ever come out
Great info Zac. What printer do you use?
Lot of great info Zac. I need to remember these tips.
Thanks Robert! Hope they help out =D
Great video Zac and thanks for the shout out.
Sure thing Lynn! I love that setup, so easy and works great!!
some good tips thanks for sharing
Thanks Kevin! Hope you can use some of them =D
Thank you for the tips this video is getting saved for future reference.
My pleasure! Hope that you can use some of the tips and they help out =D
hi zac i have a question if you can spare the time any advice would be great if you have 5 mins in your busy schedule
Great information! Two additional tips: 1 -- When drilling plastics, the type of drill matters. A common twist drill, designed for drilling metals, is not well suited for drilling plastics. Instead, use a drill bit with a 60 degree point or a bullet-point bit. (A standard twist drill is ground at 118 (or 135) degrees.) A 60 degree bit or a bullet-point bit put less downward pressure on the material and are less likely to cause blow-out. (See this video for a demonstration: ua-cam.com/video/wsDcbNx19WA/v-deo.html.)
2 -- When sanding plastics, use lubrication. As Zac mentioned, heat is the enemy in working with plastic or mixed media blanks. Sanding can cause a lot of heat. Slowing the speed down is only a partial solution. Using water (or another lubricant) when sanding will all but eliminate the heat. And, it will make your abrasive cut more cleanly, leaving a better surface. You can even turn up the speed and get a better surface more quickly than you could when dry sanding. Most turners wait to wet sand until they are working with micro mesh. You don't have to wait. Wet sanding works at 80 grit just as well as it does at 8,000 grit.
I tried using a higher angle drill bit once and got worse results with Alumilite blanks. I think it depends on the plastic you are drilling, better for acrylic acetate and other brittle plastics. I prefer dry sanding until polishing papers, works fine as long as you keep the speeds down and clear the paper often, but you can definitely wet sand whenever you like
Nice blank Zac, too bad I hate the Yankees.
LOL I'm no fan myself!