Turned a pen out of mammoth tusk ivory this week--my first using ivory. Turned out beautifully! Took it to work today to show co-workers and received lots of compliments. Unfortunately, by 4 p.m., it had cracked from one end to the other. Any tips on how to prevent such cracks in mammoth ivory? I have three more mammoth ivory blanks to turn, and don't want this to happen again! Your insights will be much appreciated!
Crack prevention in ivory?
- Thread starter Woodster
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jttheclockman
Member
http://www.penturners.org/forum/f56/mammoth-ivory-cracking-60458/
Here is the rest of the search on this topic. You can look through them as you see fit.
http://www.penturners.org/forum/sea...to+prevent+such+cracks+in+mammoth+ivory&sa=Go
The main reason why ivory and other crack prone materials crack on a pen and can sit around uncracked for years while not on on pen is that when pressing in the fittings the tube stretches and puts stress on the material. There are some pretreatments that help but the thing I've found that minimizes the chance is to ream, prestretch, or file out the tube until the fittings are a slip fit rather than a press fit. Then glue the fitting in.
mecompco
Member
Perfect advice for any potentially brittle blank (such as circuit boards, etc.). Saves much heartache! A little blue Loc-Tite will hold the components in place.