Turning & finishing polyester

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NGLJ

NGLJ

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Sep 15, 2021
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Location
Surrey BC, Canada
I purchased some polyester blanks to try. I have read that they turn very differently than acrylic for example. I have turned some acrylic successfully. What are the important differences between polyester and acrylic based blanks. Can you finish polyester the same way as acrylic using wet sanding? I did start to turn a polyester blank using carbide and it seemed quite different so rather than possibly ruin it I turned to me learned source :).
 
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Can you give us some hints of where these blanks came from. Or if the vendor has some instructions? There are many considerations for non-wood blanks as to turning, finishing, etc. May be intriguing and fun, just not sure how to advise with the ava info.
 
mark james said:
Can you give us some hints of where these blanks came from. Or if the vendor has some instructions? There are many considerations for non-wood blanks as to turning, finishing, etc. May be intriguing and fun, just not sure how to advise with the ava info.
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The blanks were made in the UK. That is all that I know.
 
I have turned poly resin blanks from Woodcraft. I'm assuming poly is short for polyester. I found them to be more brittle than some acrylics, but not as brittle as inlace acrylester. I turn and finish them the same as any other acrylic blank. Paint the blank and tube, and color the epoxy. Trim the corners before roughing. Carbide chisel held at an angle to get a shearing cut. My usual polishing regimen: wet sandpaper; 3M Zona polishing paper, all six grades; Meguiar's 105 and 205 liquid polishes applied with a microfiber towel. They all turned out great.

www.woodcraft.com

WoodRiver - Poly Resin 3/4" x 3/4" x 5" Summer Swirl Turning Stock

What makes this pen blank so unique is the process used to create it. Painstaking construction process and placement under high heat and pressure produced these detailed and intricate pattern. The unique design and vibrant colors create a spectacular pen. Pen blank size is 3/4" x 3/4" x 5".
www.woodcraft.com www.woodcraft.com
 

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My experience is the same as qquake's. You may also want to be more careful when trimming/squaring the barrel.

See the "Turning Polyester Resin" post authored by Ed4Copies (1/25/2013) for more advice. Enjoy!
 
TonyL said:
My experience is the same as qquake's. You may also want to be more careful when trimming/squaring the barrel.

See the "Turning Polyester Resin" post authored by Ed4Copies (1/25/2013) for more advice. Enjoy!
Click to expand...
Got right down to the end of turning and a piece came of next to one of the bushes :(. I used epoxy but must have got a little too thin I guess or not enough epoxy. As qqake suggests I have been using shearing cuts. I use a square NR cutter with 2" radius. Back to the drawing board. I had great success in general at first but the law of averages has been catching up with me lately. Back to acrylic for a while where I have had success to rebuild confidence. That and I need to complete the pen I am working on because it is for the "home boss". I promised her an upgrade from what I gave her before. Maybe I will be smarter in future :).
 
NGLJ said:
Got right down to the end of turning and a piece came of next to one of the bushes :(. I used epoxy but must have got a little too thin I guess or not enough epoxy. As qqake suggests I have been using shearing cuts. I use a square NR cutter with 2" radius. Back to the drawing board. I had great success in general at first but the law of averages has been catching up with me lately. Back to acrylic for a while where I have had success to rebuild confidence. That and I need to complete the pen I am working on because it is for the "home boss". I promised her an upgrade from what I gave her before. Maybe I will be smarter in future :).
Click to expand...
It will happen less and less as you practice. One of every 100 or so, it will happen to me (usually due to make zero patience).
 
TonyL said:
It will happen less and less as you practice. One of every 100 or so, it will happen to me (usually due to make zero patience).
Click to expand...
Woodworking like life seems to go through ups and downs and for some reason it appears to be down at the moment for me. I know it won't stay there. Perhaps I will make a bowl for a change and then get back to pens with renewed vigor :).
 
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