Store bought acrylic blanks.

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toyotaman

toyotaman

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Has anyone had any problems with defects in the blank after it's turned? One of mine from Woodturningz that I was dying to turn ended up having what looks like cracks or bubble slashes in it.I thought of trying to repair it but its too deep and over 1/4" long.I had the blank turned and wet sanded and noticed the defect.
Toyotaman
 
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If I understand your description correctly , I believe what you are seeing are cracks caused by the drilling process . Some plastics are very brittle . Drill slowly , clearing the bit every 1/8 inch or so . Adding water to the hole will help keep the temperature down .
 
I've had similar problems with 2 or 3 of the inlace acrylester blanks from Woodturningz, but I'm confident it was all user error - drilling too fast. I had no problem with the first dozen or so because I was being careful and taking my time, but then I pushed up the speed too much; after that I slowed down again, and started doing the same things that 1080Wayne suggests, and haven't had any problems. I've done 40-50 pens with these blanks (a couple dozen different colours); they finish like glass, and they're always very popular.
 
Yes. Me too. BUT I figured out it was my fault. Not saying it's yours but I think I drilled too fast and heated it up. I didn't see it either until I was about complete. Just trashed it and chalked it up to me being impatient. I actually drill all my acrylics, including that &$@? Inlace while adding a little water during. Takes me a little more time but I haven't had any further problems. Well except for that &$@? Inlace. It just doesn't like me! I broke up with it! Tired of it hurting my feelings, well ego!

Good luck. Hope I helped
 
toyotaman said:
Has anyone had any problems with defects in the blank after it's turned? One of mine from Woodturningz that I was dying to turn ended up having what looks like cracks or bubble slashes in it.I thought of trying to repair it but its too deep and over 1/4" long.I had the blank turned and wet sanded and noticed the defect.
Toyotaman
Click to expand...

I ordered a "shredded money" Sierra blank once; when it was turned and polished, there were large areas where there was no shredded money and the tube was easily seen. It really looked like crap. I figured it was too much trouble to ship the blank back, get another shipped to me, etc, for 1 crummy $6.50 blank. I just hogged all the acrylic off the tube with an Easy Rougher carbide tool and used it to make a wooden pen.

Same thing happened with a "golden polyresin" blank I ordered once. I had very high hopes for it, and intended to use it on a high end pen, but did not realize how translucent it would be and that I needed to have painted the tubes or the inside of the blank. I still have it sitting in a drawer somewhere. What color I could have or should have painted under it, I do not know.

The more I deal with plastics, the less I like them.
 
Yes I believe it was Acrylester. I was very careful when drilling. I always drill about a 1/8" or so and clean out the drill bit.This looks more like a defect than a crack.I might mention it next week when I order a few more blanks.It was the Rasberry swirl.I sure was looking foward to this pen.I love the colors.I just finished a Blue Flake and I'm fixing to make a Red flake one.I need a "Orange and White" one if someone knows where I can get one.
Toyotaman
 
Acrylester is kind of "border line": Yes, it is manufactured, but it is just a polyresin with more than average "chippiness".

"Manufactured" resins are subjected to much greater pressure in the process of making them, so they are more dense and much less likely to shatter.

And, yes, most likely you inadvertently cracked it as you drilled----heat will do that as will a slightly dull drill bit.
 
I had a sierra pen that I made the other day that had a bubble that popped up after turning and polishing it. Grrr, now it is a pen to be given away when Christmas comes. Never had any problems with Woodturningz blanks. The issue above came from Bear Tooth Woods blanks but one out of 50 will not stop me from buying.
 
Freethinker said:
I ordered a "shredded money" Sierra blank once; when it was turned and polished, there were large areas where there was no shredded money and the tube was easily seen. It really looked like crap. I figured it was too much trouble to ship the blank back, get another shipped to me, etc, for 1 crummy $6.50 blank. I just hogged all the acrylic off the tube with an Easy Rougher carbide tool and used it to make a wooden pen.

Same thing happened with a "golden polyresin" blank I ordered once. I had very high hopes for it, and intended to use it on a high end pen, but did not realize how translucent it would be and that I needed to have painted the tubes or the inside of the blank. I still have it sitting in a drawer somewhere. What color I could have or should have painted under it, I do not know.

The more I deal with plastics, the less I like them.
Click to expand...

Regardless of what type plastic, acrylic and such unless it's a solid color, I paint the inside of the blank. I try to match the blank but sometimes can't and make some real nice discoveries.
 
Speed is only part of the issue.

Mostly, put water down the hole as you drill, to keep the heat from building up. Also back out the drill bit every half inch or less. Replace the water, so it stays cool.

I drill around 800 rpm--but others will have a different view.
 
Everything was said, specially follow Ed advice. But i would still talk to Ryan about it. If it's a defect he surely want to know about it as he hown the acrylic acrylester process. In any case he will take care of you.
 
tim self said:
Regardless of what type plastic, acrylic and such unless it's a solid color, I paint the inside of the blank. I try to match the blank but sometimes can't and make some real nice discoveries.
Click to expand...

Yes, I have also concluded that from here on, with ANY plastic or acrylic blank I turn, (except for those that are VERY opaque) I will paint the tubes and paint inside the blank and color the epoxy.

It's something of a PITA to have to do it....but if you want a good looking finished pen it seems it's necessary. I just wish I'd known that all (or most) of them have to be painted before I ordered several acrylic blanks.

Also, some of the plastic or acrylic blanks, just when you get to the final polishing stages where the blank becomes very transparent and shiny, have little ....well, I'd call them artifacts or inclusions; looks like small pieces of grit or dirt deep inside the blank... down in them that spoil the looks of the pen somewhat. Ugh. Yet another reason I'm getting turned off to plastics.
 
Blowing air into the blanks also works very well (ie with a generator and air hose). We blow air in any blank that is highly likely to crack from too much heat. We keep a drill doctor around and keep the bits sharp - and we drill on our lathe. Since starting that process - I can't remember the last time we blew out or cracked an acrylic/etc. Mike used that technique on Eagle's pen as well and that's a difficult drill!

Just another perspective - hope it offers some help.
 
shawnmhill said:
Yes. Me too. BUT I figured out it was my fault. Not saying it's yours but I think I drilled too fast and heated it up. I didn't see it either until I was about complete. Just trashed it and chalked it up to me being impatient. I actually drill all my acrylics, including that &$@? Inlace while adding a little water during. Takes me a little more time but I haven't had any further problems. Well except for that &$@? Inlace. It just doesn't like me! I broke up with it! Tired of it hurting my feelings, well ego!

Good luck. Hope I helped
Click to expand...

I have used Mineral oil to cool them that way I dont rust my bit. but you sure cant rush it I blew 3 for 3 last night:eek:
 
Freethinker said:
I ordered a "shredded money" Sierra blank once; when it was turned and polished, there were large areas where there was no shredded money and the tube was easily seen. It really looked like crap. I figured it was too much trouble to ship the blank back, get another shipped to me, etc, for 1 crummy $6.50 blank. I just hogged all the acrylic off the tube with an Easy Rougher carbide tool and used it to make a wooden pen.


Same thing happened with a "golden polyresin" blank I ordered once. I had very high hopes for it, and intended to use it on a high end pen, but did not realize how translucent it would be and that I needed to have painted the tubes or the inside of the blank. I still have it sitting in a drawer somewhere. What color I could have or should have painted under it, I do not know.

The more I deal with plastics, the less I like them.
Click to expand...
The instructions with the money pen call for lots of CA to fill the holes
it is not really a plastic one but more like inlace they tend to blow if pushed:curse: very frustrating blew 2 Coffee Bean ones
 
Well, I did end up saving the blank. I made a true slimline out of it but that wasn't the plan at first.If I didn't show anyone the "small" defect they probally would never see it.Thanks for all the advise and help.I will be ordering more blanks next week. I need to get my inventory built up.
Toyotaman
 
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