Acrylic

[Bigblackdog]

I have not turned acrylic before but have a couple of pen blanks. I understand that it is advised to knock the corners off before turning. Can I do this using some 120g on my proedge, or would I be better to put a piece of ply onto a face plate and a fix a disk of abrasive to that, making a disk sander?

It is on a jet mini so the disk size would be limited to 10" diameter.

The third option would be using a bandsaw, in which case what blade is recommended?

 

[Woody]

Mine just go on the lathe I have never removed the corners a good sharp gouge or carbide tip tool will soon make short work of them

 

[Bigblackdog]

That will do for me then.

 

[Grump]

Yep same as dad on the rare occasion I turn acrylic these days.
He He gave all my plastic blanks to Woody for his charity, now I can't turn em init?

 

[GeordieB]

When ya gona start doing plastic spoons Brian

 

[Grump]

When ya gona start doing plastic spoons Brian

Oh NO NEVER.

 

[Penpal]

The suggestion to take the corners, edges from plastic is sound practice for new people but should be done in a repeatable and safe way its like riding a motor bike no need for trainer wheels but not to be aware can be fatal. Even the most experienced pilot goes through cockpit drill before departure. Let those who teach turning give their impressions. People in TAFE ,School environments must practice safer methods. Over here any Tom Dick or Harry can use a lathe they instal themselves without no volt switching etc that are mandatory in a work situation. Like fitting stoves, lights, power points, three pin plus, sockets, earth leakage protection proper earthing there is a best practice.

Yea I know Heath Robinson is alive in so many places just does not make it safe and right. Trust none of us encourage unsafe practices.

Peter.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Normally I never bother. But I brought some blanks off a guy at my local club who has only just started making them. The first shattered as soon as the very sharp carbide tip touched it. I have a sanding disc that fits on my lathe so I took the corners off the blank as an experiment and turned them ok. I also do the same with Acrylic Inlace blanks that are very brittle.

As Woody rightly said if you got sharp tools and take your time you shouldn't have a problem

Vic

 

[Neil]

Never heard that advice, never done it.

 

[billyb_imp]

I just put mine straight on the lathe & use a sharp roughing gouge, although taking the edge off via your method will not do any arm if thats what you want to do

 

[rayf6604]

I've never done that either, if you take light cuts at high speed, 2000rpm or more, you shouldn't have a problem. I've had a revelation in turning acrylics I'll put in a separate post.

 

[chas_41_uk]

Same advice as everyone else. Turn at a high speed and use sharp tools

 

[Jim]

Don't worry about taking the corners off Mark, a good sharp tool will do this for you ..

 

[Dalboy]

As most turn them off on the lathe at a high speed just take light cuts as if you get to heavy handed that is when the problems of chipping occurs especially with the polyester type blanks. It will not take you long to get to know how they cut and you can adjust accordingly.

 

[paulm]

I have tried various tools to use on acrylic and some are better than others. Currently I use a spindle gouge from start to finish, mounting the blank corners 'n all.

 

[wm460]

I guess every one has covered every thing.

 

[Gizmo3k]

I just use a skew, start to finish!

 

[Winemaker]

I do the same just put them in the mandrill and turn them down with a sharp roughing gouge

 

[Tephy]

Depends on what they are made from. Acrylic is such an all encompasing discription.

Sounds like the blank you tried was made from polyester resin, which when hardened through is very brittle and prone to shatter ( also cheap resin to buy )

Polyurethane resin ( Alumilite being an American manufacturer ) turns like butter ( but is expensive )

There is also epoxy resin but I haven't seen much used in pen blanks

Hope this helps

 

[Bill Mooney]

I put mine on the lathe square.