Embedding stamps in a pen?

[randyrls]

If anyone has been successful in covering a pen blank with postage stamps, what techniques did you find successful??

Both our sons work for the Post Office. I thought to make a pen covered in stamps for each of them.

My first try was to turn a wood pen and seal the surface with Modge Podge, apply stamps. That was a disaster. My second try was to use medium CA to glue the stamps to the pens. Unsuccessful. In both these attempts the stamps are not smooth to the touch and the CA needs to be exceptionally thick to seal the surface.

My next try will be to use bare tubes, glue the stamps to the tubes, coat tubes with CA, and cast in acrylic as I saw in the message posted by Todd (toddlajoie).

 

[lorbay]

Try this.
http://content.penturners.org/library/pen_blanks/Postage_Stamp_Pen_Blank.pdf

Lin.

 

[dexter0606]

If anyone has been successful in covering a pen blank with postage stamps, what techniques did you find successful??

Both our sons work for the Post Office. I thought to make a pen covered in stamps for each of them.

My first try was to turn a wood pen and seal the surface with Modge Podge, apply stamps. That was a disaster. My second try was to use medium CA to glue the stamps to the pens. Unsuccessful. In both these attempts the stamps are not smooth to the touch and the CA needs to be exceptionally thick to seal the surface.

My next try will be to use bare tubes, glue the stamps to the tubes, coat tubes with CA, and cast in acrylic as I saw in the message posted by Todd (toddlajoie).

When I cast stamps in acrylic I use Modge Podge to glue them to the tube, then spray with clear acrylic paint (Krylon) the following day. Make sure you let it sit a day before casting

 

[toddlajoie]

If he doesn't chime in here and you don't get the answers you need, check with Steve (pensbydesign). He cast these and they came out flawless (looking at the photo, it looks like there might be bubbles in the black on the one on the left, but they are not, the stamps are of a NASA Probe, so those are stars in the black of space...) I'm looking to get into doing this too, as it seems that stamps could be a wealth of design possibilities...

 

[wouldentu2?]

Turn a wood blank to less than flush.

Attach stamps with Tack Glue. Keeps stamps from sliding around.

Apply one coat of Modge Podge as smooth as possible.

Cover with CA about 5 coats before doing your first light sanding, more CA, sand etc till it covers stamps and is flush with pen.

This will take at least 10 coats.

Older stamps where the plates were etched look much better than the new printed stamps.

 

[randyrls]

Thanks for the responses; I really should have searched first instead of the other way round.:wink::wink::wink:

 

[bruce119]

If anyone has been successful in covering a pen blank with postage stamps, what techniques did you find successful??

Both our sons work for the Post Office. I thought to make a pen covered in stamps for each of them.

My first try was to turn a wood pen and seal the surface with Modge Podge, apply stamps. That was a disaster. My second try was to use medium CA to glue the stamps to the pens. Unsuccessful. In both these attempts the stamps are not smooth to the touch and the CA needs to be exceptionally thick to seal the surface.

My next try will be to use bare tubes, glue the stamps to the tubes, coat tubes with CA, and cast in acrylic as I saw in the message posted by Todd (toddlajoie).

I would glue them to the tube using Mod Podge let cure for 2 days. I would glue to the tube for a few reasons if you glue to a slightly turned down base you mite have a curve to deal with also if you glue to the tube then cast it magnifies the stamps for a better illusion.

Then after the Mod Podge is cured at least 2 days I would give a coat of CA let cure at least a day then cast in PR. Remember patients 3-4 drops MEKP per once of PR no more don't rush it it will cause problems should take about 12 htrs to cure and still have surface tack. Just put the blanks outside in the sun for a few hours and it will finish the cure.

Good Luck