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Help!!!

Jimjam66

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So I asked a couple weeks ago what to do with some clear acrylic bar a neighbour gave me. A couple of sadistic sods suggested I do a demonstrator, which I originally thought wasn't my thing but the idea grew on me ... sort of like athlete's foot, I guess!

To test the concept I made up a cap. All went well until I tried to polish the inside. (Not much of a demonstrator if it's opaque, now is it?) The best I can achieve so far is this:

photo 3.JPG

I've tried wrapping sandpaper around the shank of a 10mm drill bit and sanding by hand, which did okay but is never going to polish the surface. Then I chucked up a mini-mop on a 70mm screw with the head cut off, mounted it in the dremel and tried polishing with T-Cut.

photo.JPG

No dice - i think the speed is too high, so the hot polish and acrylic swarf get slung around the barrel and stick to the surface where they hit. So I tried using my drill/driver instead, but I think it runs too slow. I'm not one for hours of hard labour, so please can someone give me an idea for doing this?? Pretty please??

:pray::pray:
 

turnaround360

Caracktycus Pots
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David do you have any wax polishing compound that comes with some mops you buy eg green or red worth a go Frankie.
 

edlea

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I'm not one for hours of hard labour, so please can someone give me an idea for doing this?? Pretty please??

:pray::pray:

Hmmmmmm !:thinks: Not really ..sorry David for suggesting it in the first place ..there must be an easy way though :nooidea:
 

Grump

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Dunno what sizes they do em in but this sort of thing may do it.Or this
I have some very soft natural bristle in this cup shape but I dont think they will go inside a 10mm hole, will measure them tomorrow init?
ShowImage.ashx.jpeg
 

Buckeye

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Have you tried flame polishing, I have used it on the cut edges of acrylic and it's perfect.

Peter
 

Pete B

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Apr 22, 2013
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Hi David,

i had the same problem. I read about one chap who uses cotton buds in a drill with different papers then liquid abrasive. It didn't work well for me though.
I think i read somewhere the secret is maybe steadily increasing the size of the drill bit, (more regularly than the pilot hole and final size i did), lubricated and slowly, Then repeat the above.
It makes sense if you have a smoother inside surface to start with.
I haven't had the chance to try it myself yet as i have been completely sidetracked.

If i can find it again i will pm the link.

I am going to have another go as soon as i get a chance, for what its worth i think they are great.
There are some really expensive ones as well Andy's Pens - Onoto 2012 Magna Plunger-Filler Limited Edition

Yours is better than my crap first attempt.
28.10.13 002.jpg

Regards

Pete
 

Pete B

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Almost in Northumberland
Hi david,

i found the link below, uses split dowels i imagine a smidge under the id of the tube, won't help with the angle from the point of the drill between the two internal sizes but it might work.
Might work, worth a try maybe. Next time i have ago and i think i will do what the article says.
It is difficult though but worth persevering with as they are good i think.
Forgive my ignorance about plastics but is bought acrylic rod the same stuff as the water clear casting resin ? thats what i used.

http://www.thogamecalls.com/PDF%20Tutorials/WorkingWithAcrylic.pdf

Regards

Pete
 

Jimjam66

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Dunno what sizes they do em in but this sort of thing may do it.Or this
I have some very soft natural bristle in this cup shape but I dont think they will go inside a 10mm hole, will measure them tomorrow init?

Brian, is there anything you DON'T have stashed somewhere? What I'd give to wander around that Aladdins cave of yours ... That would be great if you could find them, thanks!

Have you tried flame polishing, I have used it on the cut edges of acrylic and it's perfect.

Peter, I did flame-polish the outside to good effect, but I can't get the nozzle inside the drill-hole ... Tried pointing the flame into the hole but just melted the rim! :down: I don't know if you can get a cheap blowtorch with a very fine nozzle that would fit into an 11.25mm drill hole, but I suspect the flame would go out for lack of oxygen inside a closed-end hole? :nooidea:

i found the link below, uses split dowels i imagine a smidge under the id of the tube, won't help with the angle from the point of the drill between the two internal sizes but it might work.
Might work, worth a try maybe. Next time i have ago and i think i will do what the article says.
It is difficult though but worth persevering with as they are good i think.
Forgive my ignorance about plastics but is bought acrylic rod the same stuff as the water clear casting resin ? thats what i used.

http://www.thogamecalls.com/PDF%20Tutorials/WorkingWithAcrylic.pdf

I'll read the article with interest, thanks Pete! Don't know if this is the same stuff as water clear PR, mate - probably, because it is cast acrylic, but I could be way off? :nooidea:
 

Grump

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Brian, is there anything you DON'T have stashed somewhere? What I'd give to wander around that Aladdin's cave of yours ... That would be great if you could find them, thanks!

Dave I did find em and they don't go in a Sierra tube, approx same size but I forgot to measure em exact as I got sidetracked by dinner.
Happy to send you a couple if wanna try em, and you are more than welcome to wander around my Aladdin's cave anytime mate as long as you tidy and organise it in the process.
Don't forget I downsized from a factory to a shed so yes I have a lot of all sorts of crap init?
 

Buckeye

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Peter, I did flame-polish the outside to good effect, but I can't get the nozzle inside the drill-hole ... Tried pointing the flame into the hole but just melted the rim! :down: I don't know if you can get a cheap blowtorch with a very fine nozzle that would fit into an 11.25mm drill hole, but I suspect the flame would go out for lack of oxygen inside a closed-end hole? :nooidea:

Have a look at this on youtube <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fUxQgGpdFM> it's flame polishing a duck call, I know it is bigger than your pen top, but worth a look.

I have just looked on ebay and saw this torch which is cheap and small. I bought one just to try so will let you know if it will get into a small hole easily. <http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pencil-Butane-Soldering-Iron-Mini-Micro-Refillable-Blow-Torch-/230850553248?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item35bfc3e5a0>

Peter
 

Jimjam66

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Basingstoke, Hampshire
Pete, I think that split dowel idea is just what the doctor ordered, thanks mate! :thumbs: will try it and let you know.

Happy to send you a couple if wanna try em, and you are more than welcome to wander around my Aladdin's cave anytime mate as long as you tidy and organise it in it

That's a generous offer, mate. Let me try Pete's idea of the split dowel first, but I reserve the right to holler! And thanks for the offer, but judging the pics if I went in to tidy that shed I might never be seen again! :face:

Have a look at this on youtube <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fUxQgGpdFM> it's flame polishing a duck call, I know it is bigger than your pen top, but worth a look.

Seen it, but have you priced those nozzles? :pounds:

Buckeye;25559I have just looked on ebay and saw this torch which is cheap and small. I bought one just to try so will let you know if it will get into a small hole easily. <http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pencil-Butane-Soldering-Iron-Mini-Micro-Refillable-Blow-Torch-/230850553248?pt=UK_Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item35bfc3e5a0>[/QUOTE said:
Thanks, that would be very helpful.

Are you wanting to find the skeletons in his closet David ... :ciggrin:

Oh dear god, no! That closet can remain firmly shut as far as I'm concerned ... :noway1:
 


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