Help on First Corporate Order..Quick!

[jmbaker79]

Alright so we potentially have our first actual order, finding out today, for 100 sierras. These are for a super well known coffee company, that apparently IAP members dont seem to be a fan of, except for myself....We are using "bag stamps" they are basically giant stamp stickers. So I wrapped them around the tubes, and ran a little thin ca over the seam as after a day or two they started to peel up at the seem. The ca fixed this no problem. Used a pencil sharpener to make plugs, and glued them in the ends with ca. Cast, not under pressure, with PR, no bubbles, no problem. The real issue here is that knocking out the plugs has cracked a few of the test runs, just right at the edge, figure i could mill it off. Going to find out how much I can shorten these tubes as the stamps are a little short. When milling though, the little heat generated inside the tubes seems to dissolve the adhesive on the back of the stamps, and the tubes either start spinning inside the blank, or stay on the mill when the blank comes off. This is a super headache, as these are going to be due in about two weeks for a conference. I believe I have this fixed as i just put the mill into a drill chuck in the tailstock, and used a little disc sanding jig i made in the head stock, seems to square them up pretty good, yet to assemble one though and find out. These seem similar to label casting, so is this common? This has also happened using double sided tape in the past. ID 10 T Error possibly? Didnt seal these either after wrapping the tubes so thinking about throwing each on the lathe and hitting it with a coat or two of CA before casting...think it will help seal the ends to the tube? Any help or advice is appreciated greatly!

 

[LL Woodworks]

Alright so we potentially have our first actual order, finding out today, for 100 sierras. These are for a super well known coffee company, that apparently IAP members dont seem to be a fan of, except for myself....We are using "bag stamps" they are basically giant stamp stickers. So I wrapped them around the tubes, and ran a little thin ca over the seam as after a day or two they started to peel up at the seem. The ca fixed this no problem. Used a pencil sharpener to make plugs, and glued them in the ends with ca. Cast, not under pressure, with PR, no bubbles, no problem. The real issue here is that knocking out the plugs has cracked a few of the test runs, just right at the edge, figure i could mill it off. Going to find out how much I can shorten these tubes as the stamps are a little short. When milling though, the little heat generated inside the tubes seems to dissolve the adhesive on the back of the stamps, and the tubes either start spinning inside the blank, or stay on the mill when the blank comes off. This is a super headache, as these are going to be due in about two weeks for a conference. I believe I have this fixed as i just put the mill into a drill chuck in the tailstock, and used a little disc sanding jig i made in the head stock, seems to square them up pretty good, yet to assemble one though and find out. These seem similar to label casting, so is this common? This has also happened using double sided tape in the past. ID 10 T Error possibly? Didnt seal these either after wrapping the tubes so thinking about throwing each on the lathe and hitting it with a coat or two of CA before casting...think it will help seal the ends to the tube? Any help or advice is appreciated greatly!

I always glue the stamp, sticker whatever to the tube; seal them with modpodge including sealing the edges; leave them sit a day or so to off gas then cast in clear. Never had an issue. Good Luck

 

[Fibonacci]

Also, if you use silicone plugs, the pr wont stick and you wont crack them when knocking the plugs put.

 

[jmbaker79]

Also, if you use silicone plugs, the pr wont stick and you wont crack them when knocking the plugs put.

Thought about that, we make wedding and sculpted cakes, so usually have some food grade silicone on hand, yet was out at the time of putting these together. Will grab some just for pens! Thanks for the tips, this happens to me all the time, yet have usually been able to put them back in fairly easy, but 100 would be tough!

 

[seamus7227]

I may have read this wrong, but are you saying you have two weeks to complete 100 pens? If so, good luck, thats hardly enough time

 

[jmbaker79]

I may have read this wrong, but are you saying you have two weeks to complete 100 pens? If so, good luck, thats hardly enough time

Super correct, May 2nd Technically, I "work" from home, so should have the time. not finishing wouldnt be an option so, may employ a person or two! I will cast and turn them, and prob have help polishing and assembling. I already dont sleep much in the wedding industry...

 

[seamus7227]

At that rate, i would recommend buying some silicone tapered plugs, that should help in the casting process and not having so many issues with plugging the tubes.

 

[MarkD]

I may have read this wrong, but are you saying you have two weeks to complete 100 pens? If so, good luck, thats hardly enough time

Super correct, May 2nd Technically, I "work" from home, so should have the time. not finishing wouldnt be an option so, may employ a person or two! I will cast and turn them, and prob have help polishing and assembling. I already dont sleep much in the wedding industry...

Based on the business your in, getting this order completed should be a piece of cake!!! :biggrin:
Sorry, I just couldn't resist!
Best of luck to you!

 

[jmbaker79]

Based on the business your in, getting this order completed should be a piece of cake!!! :biggrin:
Sorry, I just couldn't resist!
Best of luck to you![/QUOTE]

I like it...

 

[jjudge]

note to self: silicon plugs

I use corks or hand-turned plugs for the tubes. Issue is that I have to, post casting: (1) drill through the wood, then (2) clean the rest out with an exacto. Its too risky drilling to the outer diameter.

next issue to overcome: STOP the cracks when you press-fit the metal parts into the cast tube.


-- joe

 

[seamus7227]

I highly recommend these silicone molds from PtownSubbie(Fred Wissen). And they come with the silicone plugs. Flawless casting everytime with minimal waste!

 

[jmbaker79]

note to self: silicon plugs

I use corks or hand-turned plugs for the tubes. Issue is that I have to, post casting: (1) drill through the wood, then (2) clean the rest out with an exacto. Its too risky drilling to the outer diameter.

next issue to overcome: STOP the cracks when you press-fit the metal parts into the cast tube.


-- joe

There are tons of silicones out there, we usually work in food grade silicone, so cant speak to most of what you guys work with. I do know that if you just need a tad, Michaels arts and crafts sells a product that is food safe, and is a two part molding silicone. Not pourable, more like mixing clay, or fondant in our world. Works wonders on chocolate molds! It is apx $20 for the kit, but iphone users, there is a michaels app that has coupons every week, usually 40% off 1 item, you can use this coupon over and over throughout the week. We also order from makeyourownmolds.com...lots of silicone products...