casting old newspaper?

[The Penguin]

A friend from my local club is the lab instructor for the architecture lab at the University of Houston. He's got some old UH clippings he wants to try to wrap around a pen tube. I think he wants to give the completed pen to the department head or to the university for a fundraiser.

I've got all the tools to help him - but not the knowledge. I thought I had seen a thread not long ago about casting newspaper, but I can't find it...

any tips appreciated.

thanks!

 

[seamus7227]

powdercoat your tubes white, glue on the paper and coat with CA, pressure cast with PR, and you should have your blanks!

 

[ElMostro]

Coating the paper is essential, if not you will end up with BLOBs of grey tones/stains that are ureadable (DAMHIKT) Eugene

 

[plantman]

If you want to do this without having to cast a blank, and at the same time be able to use a larger piece of paper, try this. Turn a blank out of clear white pine or holly to just under the size of your fittings. Use Tacky Glue, Deco-Podge, or any glue that dries clear to attach your paper to the blank, covering front and back, after sanding smooth. Let dry over night. Apply a coat of Thick CA followed by excellorater. Build up 4 - 6 coats. Hand sand with 400 grit paper lengthwise until you remove all shiny spots. Wipe clean, and go over the blank with 1200 grit. Wipe clean. Now apply 2 coats of polish with the lathe running at high speed. Be careful not to over heat the blank, or sand through the finish. I sand all my blanks by hand with the lathe stopped. It may take a little longer but, your fingers will feel any imperfection that your eyes can't see. Just one of my ways of doing it. There also is an article in Woodturning Design #38 pages 8 - 14 by Raymond Sprouse showing you how to make a pen from a paperback book. Jim S

 

[Akula]

I have used modge podge on paper