Fordite Rollerball

[Third Bay Woodworking]

Fun material to work with! I'd appreciate any feedback or tips on taking photos of pens. I can't seem to find the right combination on it all.

 

[sorcerertd]

Great looking pen! I love this stuff, but it scares me to think of how fragile it is and how fast I could ruin it.

 

[jttheclockman]

I never worked with this because I never had a chance to get any but seen many pens made from this stuff. A couple questions because Todd mentions fragile. This is basically car paint in layers, right? Is there a possibility when pen is completed if it is hit or is dropped the layers will delaminate? Is here dust from turning this stuff? Do you get thick enough pieces that all you do is drill for tube or do you have to layer it? How is it drilling? What finish do you use on it if any? Thanks.

Nice pen by the way.

 

[Third Bay Woodworking]

I never worked with this because I never had a chance to get any but seen many pens made from this stuff. A couple questions because Todd mentions fragile. This is basically car paint in layers, right? Is there a possibility when pen is completed if it is hit or is dropped the layers will delaminate? Is here dust from turning this stuff? Do you get thick enough pieces that all you do is drill for tube or do you have to layer it? How is it drilling? What finish do you use on it if any? Thanks.

Nice pen by the way.

Yes, it's basically a material that is layer upon layer of auto paint that was the overspray when they used to hand spray. The paint built up on various pieces of metal that they moved cars on and was baked in the oven right alongside the cars. There is certainly dust, chipping, and ribbons when sanding or cutting it, very similar to a hard acrylic. It originally comes in blocks if you can find it that way, then cut into pen sized blanks, and drilled just like you would with any other pen blank. I'll post a picture of it later today so you can get a better sense of it.

I have no idea if it will delaminate if dropped, and don't plan on finding out given how expensive these are All joking aside, the layers do delaminate quite a bit at the top before turning, but once it's turned and polished it's very smooth and solid without anything on it, and a few thin coats of CA can be used on top of it as well. I really don't foresee any issues at all once it's finished.

 

[montmill]

You asked about photo's. First, yours are better then many so your wanting to get better from a good place. What is it that you'd like to improve? Image quality, lighting, display? Sometimes if you pin point what you'd like to improve you can be more focused. Many times the right question leads to the solution. As I said, you're starting from a good place. Wonderful pen.

 

[jttheclockman]

Yes, it's basically a material that is layer upon layer of auto paint that was the overspray when they used to hand spray. The paint built up on various pieces of metal that they moved cars on and was baked in the oven right alongside the cars. There is certainly dust, chipping, and ribbons when sanding or cutting it, very similar to a hard acrylic. It originally comes in blocks if you can find it that way, then cut into pen sized blanks, and drilled just like you would with any other pen blank. I'll post a picture of it later today so you can get a better sense of it.

I have no idea if it will delaminate if dropped, and don't plan on finding out given how expensive these are All joking aside, the layers do delaminate quite a bit at the top before turning, but once it's turned and polished it's very smooth and solid without anything on it, and a few thin coats of CA can be used on top of it as well. I really don't foresee any issues at all once it's finished.

Thanks for the reply. It looks like interesting materials. Your pen looks great.

 

[Jim15]

That's a beauty.

 

[egnald]

Gorgeous pen. - Dave

 

[Third Bay Woodworking]

Yes, it's basically a material that is layer upon layer of auto paint that was the overspray when they used to hand spray. The paint built up on various pieces of metal that they moved cars on and was baked in the oven right alongside the cars. There is certainly dust, chipping, and ribbons when sanding or cutting it, very similar to a hard acrylic. It originally comes in blocks if you can find it that way, then cut into pen sized blanks, and drilled just like you would with any other pen blank. I'll post a picture of it later today so you can get a better sense of it.

I have no idea if it will delaminate if dropped, and don't plan on finding out given how expensive these are All joking aside, the layers do delaminate quite a bit at the top before turning, but once it's turned and polished it's very smooth and solid without anything on it, and a few thin coats of CA can be used on top of it as well. I really don't foresee any issues at all once it's finished.

@jttheclockman - here are a few pics of what the slab looks like as well as a pen blank after cutting it.

 

[jttheclockman]

That is amazing. Another product probably being thrown out for years and now well sought after . Very nice. In my area we use to have a large Ford plant. As an electrician for a union we had tons of work in that place. We put on a new paint section of the plant too and use to see tons of that stuff back in the early 70's and 80's. Wish I had known back then.

 

[tgsean]

Very interesting indeed. Never seen this stuff before looks amazing. Great work

 

[Third Bay Woodworking]

You asked about photo's. First, yours are better then many so your wanting to get better from a good place. What is it that you'd like to improve? Image quality, lighting, display? Sometimes if you pin point what you'd like to improve you can be more focused. Many times the right question leads to the solution. As I said, you're starting from a good place. Wonderful pen.

Thanks David! I've been pondering your question for a bit and haven't quite been able to pinpoint it. I guess if I knew what it was I could tweak something, to your point. There are just some photos that really stand out for one reason or another. Yet another skill to work on

 

[Mike]

Nice pen, I have not seen that material before.

Mike