Casting a Book..... Part Two....?

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redneckmedic

redneckmedic

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Dec 15, 2012
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Location
Greenfield, IN USA
Well after a long week and several steps this has turned out to be a fail. However still persistent I understand that failure is only the learning curve in the process to success.

I removed the covers from two Gideon Bibles and glued them together.
Then I Soaked them in Cactus Juice for 48hrs not under pressure as I didn't really feel it was necessary. After which I put in a vice in between two 3/4" stock boards and under vice pressure recaptured most of my CJ. 24hrs later I tightened the vice again, it was still squeezing out a bit of CJ so I added a bit of CA to each end to keep the pages together and put into my shop toaster oven for 1.5hrs at about 150-200 degrees. Afterwards she came out very "brick" like and even cut on the band saw once cooled like a champ. I threw caution to the wind and proceeded very optimistic! Turning in a Nova and slowly inserting my drill bit she hollowed like a dream!

The project fell apart (literally) at the turning stage. I turned at about 3500rpm with my sharpest skew very, very slow, but the pages at this point were only 3/4 x3/4 and peeled right off.

Not sure where to go from here. I'm thinking that after I hollow out for my brass tube maybe another round of Cactus Juice and baking to really get her solid... not sure.

What do y'all think?
 
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There was an article in Woodturning Design addressing this very topic..making pen blanks from books. My best recollection is that the article was within the last 18 months. I wish I knew the exact issue. If I run across it I will let you know.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
 
The issue is 2012 August #38 it was a very interesting article. He used paper back books which the paper is a cheap pulp cellulose based non surface finished paper. (that is the key the paper will suck up the glue)

Don't know what type of paper were in the bibles you used, as I haven't been in a location that has them in 15 years or so.

But if it is a smooth shinny looking paper. it is moire than likely a coated paper. It use to be called clay coated paper used in the glossy type magazines. The kind that the old school paper drives didn't want since it, it is difficult to recycle due to the clay content.

Now a days there are more types of coating used to finish paper. If it is glossy or has a sheen to the pages, it will be difficult to glue the pages in bulk.

He did use 3 parts white glue and 1 part water, in a airtight container for storage of the glue mix. He cuts the book into pen blanks pieces, say an 1" wide with the covers removed including the spline cover. You then have to fan the sections to open them up so the glue mix can get in between the pages.

He doesn't use vacuum but it might pull the air out of between the pages. But that is just an idea I will try when I git round 2 it!

He then lets them dry on aluminum foils while closing up and cleaning his hands as he works the blanks in the tub. I would just use nitrile gloves less of a mess!

Then layers the blanks between the foil when clamping. The object is to keep the pages from separating while drying not squeeze it out. They will dry for a couple of days. Then you remove them and let the dry with some weight on top for a week and then weigh them like when drying wood.

It can take up to 3 weeks for the blanks to dry to be useable. I suggest that one needs to get the issue with his complete article It covers page 8 to 14 in the mag.
Back Issues of Woodturning Design

It isn't a fast way to make blanks!
:clown:
 
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