Perspex Pen Stand

[Kardav]

As promised, here's a picture of the perspex pen stand I've been making. The component parts can be seen in the inset. The only real problem is that the perspex was an old piece I'd had in the garage and it's protective polythene was missing and there were a few good scratches. I've not glued it up yet so might texture the surface somehow to hide the scratches or even spray it black or white. Then again, I think I've spent enough time on it already!! Now I've got a template though, I could always make one out of wood and just alter the slots to suit.

 

[paulm]

That is very good, a very nice shape and extremely functional but I think that perspex looks a bit dull. I have an acrylic block for displaying fountain pens and a perspex single pen holder and the acrylic shines and adds to the pen where the perspex takes it away somewhat unless it can be polished up of course. I'd like to see one made in a light, thin wood.

 

[paulm]

What about making a completely round one and putting it on a lazy susan?

 

[edlea]

Nice job you made there Dave ....looks very professional.

 

[Kardav]

What about making a completely round one and putting it on a lazy susan?

I thought about that but I reckoned it might be a bit big. It could be smaller with less spacing between pens so maybe........:idontknow:

 

[Kardav]

That is very good, a very nice shape and extremely functional but I think that perspex looks a bit dull. I have an acrylic block for displaying fountain pens and a perspex single pen holder and the acrylic shines and adds to the pen where the perspex takes it away somewhat unless it can be polished up of course. I'd like to see one made in a light, thin wood.

I understand what you mean Paul, but I wouldn't want the stand to out shine the pens though lol.

 

[mattyts]

Do you have access to a laser cutter? Could cut one out using one every couple of minutes with perfect edges

 

[Kardav]

Do you have access to a laser cutter? Could cut one out using one every couple of minutes with perfect edges

I WISH If you know anyone who's got one, production.......?

 

[mattyts]

I WISH If you know anyone who's got one, production.......?

I have access to 3 but actual time on them is limited

 

[Doug]

That looks a great stand Dave, very well made

 

[Terry]

Ingenuity at its best Dave !!!!

 

[Woody]

that is one good looking pen stand well done

 

[Grump]

Looks a good effort there and a worthwhile project, as a template its good.

 

[Jim]

Well done Dave, looks good, how was it cut?

 

[Lons]

That is very good, a very nice shape and extremely functional but I think that perspex looks a bit dull. I have an acrylic block for displaying fountain pens and a perspex single pen holder and the acrylic shines and adds to the pen where the perspex takes it away somewhat unless it can be polished up of course. I'd like to see one made in a light, thin wood.

You've lost me completely on that one Paul.

Perspex is acrylic, it's just the ICI brand name. The main types are cast and extruded. The block you have is likely to be cast whilst much of the point of display products are extruded. They have different properties but both will polish to a glass clear finish though looking closely you will see extrusion lines in extruded version which are not presest in the cast acrylic.
For the purpose of a pen stand there shouldn't be discernable differences, are you sure it's perspex and not polystyrene?

Very nice stand btw Dave

cheers
Bob

 

[Kardav]

Well done Dave, looks good, how was it cut?

Hi Jim, holes drilled with 13mm drill and the rest with a bandsaw. Edges cleaned up with files. Not really sure I could get a clear finish with any polish so will leave it as it is. I'll probably do one in wood at some point which can at least be finished a lot better.

 

[Lons]

Hi Jim, holes drilled with 13mm drill and the rest with a bandsaw. Edges cleaned up with files. Not really sure I could get a clear finish with any polish so will leave it as it is. I'll probably do one in wood at some point which can at least be finished a lot better.

Hi Dave

Acrylic, especially cast acrylic can be polished fairly easily using micromesh and then T cut or brasso ( there are also part 1 and 2 specialist polishes available ). Most scratches can be eliminated by this method though deep ones will leave the surface slightly dished
The edges can be filed then sanded as well as possible and and polished on a buffing wheel or another fairly simple technique is to flame polish which just entails slowly running a pencil sized flame along the edge which melts and polishes the plastic. Suggest practice on scrap but any cheap small blowtorch does the job. It's quite satisfying to watch the edge transform behind the flame (yep I'm a sad person :neglected:Don't get out much)

Bob

 

[Kardav]

Hi Dave

Acrylic, especially cast acrylic can be polished fairly easily using micromesh and then T cut or brasso ( there are also part 1 and 2 specialist polishes available ). Most scratches can be eliminated by this method though deep ones will leave the surface slightly dished
The edges can be filed then sanded as well as possible and and polished on a buffing wheel or another fairly simple technique is to flame polish which just entails slowly running a pencil sized flame along the edge which melts and polishes the plastic. Suggest practice on scrap but any cheap small blowtorch does the job. It's quite satisfying to watch the edge transform behind the flame (yep I'm a sad person :neglected:Don't get out much)

Bob

Thanks Bob, I'll have a little play at that sometime.

 

[Terry]

Hi Dave

Acrylic, especially cast acrylic can be polished fairly easily using micromesh and then T cut or brasso ( there are also part 1 and 2 specialist polishes available ). Most scratches can be eliminated by this method though deep ones will leave the surface slightly dished
The edges can be filed then sanded as well as possible and and polished on a buffing wheel or another fairly simple technique is to flame polish which just entails slowly running a pencil sized flame along the edge which melts and polishes the plastic. Suggest practice on scrap but any cheap small blowtorch does the job. It's quite satisfying to watch the edge transform behind the flame (yep I'm a sad person :neglected:Don't get out much)

Bob

Bob is there any special treatment for bending perspex??? I appreciate that heat will have to be applied somehow.

 

[Walter]

That is very good, a very nice shape and extremely functional but I think that perspex looks a bit dull. I have an acrylic block for displaying fountain pens and a perspex single pen holder and the acrylic shines and adds to the pen where the perspex takes it away somewhat unless it can be polished up of course. I'd like to see one made in a light, thin wood.

Perspex is just a brand name for acrylic. The difference is probably just down to Kardav's having not been protected and got a bit scratched and dull.

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