The “Deep” Aero

[Kenny Durrant]

This idea popped into my head a couple of days ago. I'm talking about the combination of materials. The blue is real Abalone Shell with two Shark Vertebrae. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out but I still need to do some tweaking on how the vertebrae are arranged. As always Questions and Comments are Welcome.

 

[JohnU]

You've been busy! It looks great!
If you vertebrae are as dry as mine…I'm wondering how many you might you broke before you got these drilled to size to fit over the abalone.

 

[Kenny Durrant]

Ok John I'm going to be upset if you jinxed me. Now I'll admit I asked for questions so I'll give you that. Ha Ha. Actually drilling went well. I didn't break any! I was nervous because the vertebrae are brittle. I used calipers to determine what size bit was needed. That way there wasn't a need for reaming. I also used a brad point bit. One other tip was I placed the vertebrae on a folded piece of paper towel thinking that there would be even pressure on the bottom of the disk rather than just the edges.

 

[Kenny Durrant]

It posted twice. I edited it but I don't know how to delete it.

 

[KenB259]

Very nice. Always enjoy seeing unusual materials.

 

[JohnU]

I hope I didn't jinx you! Lol. I always drill a 7mm hole in the center of them to cast, to help get resin inside the small voids, (not cast on tubes) but I've never drill any larger than that and noticed they are very brittle. You did a great job and hopefully have continued success .

 

[Kenny Durrant]

I couldn't blame you or anyone else for the things I do or that happen John. Murphys Law around me is always alive and well. I friend of mine and I were thinking about trying to cast just the disks. That way they'd be stronger and less problems with air.

 

[TDahl]

Very beautiful pen. Excellent work.

 

[JohnU]

The disc cast very easily. I drill them with the 7mm hole individually, use a little 2 part epoxy on the outer rims to stick them together and drop them in the vertical casting tube and pour down the middle. Then just drill the solid blank to the tube I'm using. Works very well. Before I was drilling them I was getting air pockets but not any more. Just don't glue them before you drill.