Shrinking acrylic?

[m.wienstroer]

I recently turned my first acrylic pen. Everything appeared to be fine until I pulled it off the lathe after polishing. At each end, the brass tube was sticking out about 1/32" past the acrylic.

I have never had this problem when turning wood. Did I overheat the pen and shrunk the acrylic? I don't think it was brass expansion even after sitting for a week (should have cooled of by then) the brass never changed length.

Has anyone seen this before?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[EBorraga]

Don't know about shrinkage, but i've disfigured a few from overheating while sanding. That's why i wet sand only now on acrylics.

 

[David M]

That is a new one on me. never had acrylic to srink. the only thing i can think of is if , using a cutter the tube went under the cutting head leaving a small lip of tube. if it was flat / smooth with the blank i have no ideal . is it sticking out from both ends?.

David

 

[chriselle]

Yep, it's real. I've had it happen on several acrylics over the past few years. I wet sand and am always cautious on not getting the blanks too warm. Don't know why but acrylic does in fact shrink.