Different materials and their machinability (is that a word?)

[hawkeyefxr]

I have made pens out of wood and acrylic, i have also made two pens out of polyester one a total disaster and one that is absolutely beautiful when viewed in sunlight. It was more difficult to turn in that i had to take very small cuts but that was well made up for the finish. But the stink, phew.

I have been looking at corian but do not know what it is like to turn. i was also wondering if anyone makes acrylic impregnated wood, if there is such a thing.

 

[Walter]

Machinability (is that a word?) .

Yep, it certainly is:machinability | Definition, meaning & more | Collins Dictionary

 

[Woody]

Corian is very easy to work with any wood turning tools and easier than acrylic to finish you will be surprised what materials you can turn on a wood lathe including some metals

 

[bassethound]

As Woody says, in my opinion if you can mount it on a Lathe you can probably turn it ...

 

[silver]

My view.. For what it's worth..

All these can be turned with normal wood turning chisels, however TCT ones work better.
PU- polyurathane, easy to turn and also takes a thread well.

PR- polyester Resin, more difficult to turn that PU, can be a little more brittle especially if the caster has overdone the activator. It doesn't take a thread well, however it can be threaded with care.

Corian - easier than any of the PU or PR blanks. Takes a thread well, however a little more sensitive.

Polymer clay - very similar to PR or turn, doesn't take a thread as the nature of the material is unsuitable

True Stone - easy to turn but can be very dusty, never tried to thread it so don't know about that one.

Ebonite - easy to turn, takes a thread easily. Doesn't smell very nice to turn.

Horn - similar to PR to turn, but stinks.never tried to thread it,

Antler - same as horn, stinks. Never tried to thread it.

Delrin - easy to turn, Takes a thread really well but doesn't like glue very much and some can resist it and not glue your tubes.

Non ferrous, usually need a TCT, they are allot more difficult to turn than any of the above on a wood turning lathe.

Aluminium- one of the easiest none ferrus materials to turn, however needs practice and speed needs to be right for free - hand turning. takes threads very well

Copper- same as Ali, but slightly harder.

Brass - same as copper but a little harder than copper or Ali.

Bronze. Same as brass but slightly harder..

Pewter, never turned it so don't know.

Lead - stay away from it..

There is all the many varieties of wood, very hard to the very soft and to the many different ones available from around the world.

I'm sure that the above list will disagree with some, but it's how I find them and I am sure I would have missed some that others on here will remind me or bring new ones to the list..
Look forward to the replies..

 

[Penpal]

Timbers such as Spalted are very tricky and benefit from hardening with plastic some indeed depend on infusion.

Snakewood can be the greater trial to survive drilling and turning, treacherous to keep uncracked over time but ever so beautiful when you succeed.

Most of the Rosewoods are being declared as restricted or forbidden.

Black Ebony has to be sourced from stable crack free material, the price now is ludicrous.

Most Burls are a delight to find, purchase and turn.

As Eamonn says in general horses for courses on this forum for example we have specialists on brass ammunition, Horn etc.

Casting can be an art form.

Enjoy what you choose but be aware of the dangers of many timbers, all chemicals as stated by Walter watch carefully Woody and his selections he has the greater variety than most.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

A very informative list Eamonn.

As Woody says, in my opinion if you can mount it on a Lathe you can probably turn it ...

You are only limited by you imagination, Oh and your wallet.