Polymer Clay Blanks

[buzz6]

I have only been turning pens for just over a year and looking to try something a bit different from wood or acrylic so was looking at the polymer clay blanks by Toni Ransfield on the Taylors Mirfield website.

I see from other posts that several members have made pens from these blanks and was looking for some information before buying;

I understand that the blank comes already on the pen tube but is there a seam on the blank where the clay joins after being wrapped around the tube?

What is the best way to finish these?

Any tips on turning them?

Thanks in advance

 

[Bammer]

Flexi is the best one to answer this.

But there is no seam, no turning, no sanding

 

[Phil Dart]

There is no seam on them Colin, and they are made to almost exact finished size. You will find that applying a finish and pressing the parts are the total sum of your skills required to complete the pen. So no turning required at all really other than applying a finish, which most people seem to use CA for. Not much of a challenge in them from a turners point of view I'm afraid, but if they need a final sand to de-nib before applying the finish, be VERY gentle. The applied decorations are EXTREMELY thin.

 

[Penpal]

I have never detected a seam Ed her enabler maintains an excellent quality control on a superlative product, she is the leader and could I say pioneer in perfection using this product.

Peter.

 

[wm460]

A while back some members made their own polymer clay blanks, Woody was one.

 

[Paul hd]

A while back some members made their own polymer clay blanks, Woody was one.

I had a go at Polymer clay and it is great to work with. Here is a vid. I used resin as the finish but you could easily slice the cane thicker and then turn down to size and finish. The canes in this video are £5 each, you can get at least two pens out of one cane, probably 3.

Resin & Polymer clay - YouTube

 

[flexi]

I have made a few....yes a quick polish, then CA finish.....as Phil Dart says ' not much turning'.....i have had some others from Toni that she made undersized and then cast.....Bill Mooney was the first with that, so he could get his signature shape on a slimline and tbh is easier but imho when you go that route it starts looking like transfers and not clay
If you can do a good CA then go for it......and good luck....they are great conversation pieces on a stall

 

[buzz6]

Thanks for all your replies, I think I will buy some polymer clay canes and have a go at making some blanks myself rather than getting blanks that only need finished and assembled.

Cheers

 

[EStreet]

I have only been turning pens for just over a year and looking to try something a bit different from wood or acrylic so was looking at the polymer clay blanks by Toni Ransfield on the Taylors Mirfield website.

I see from other posts that several members have made pens from these blanks and was looking for some information before buying;

I understand that the blank comes already on the pen tube but is there a seam on the blank where the clay joins after being wrapped around the tube?

What is the best way to finish these?

Any tips on turning them?

Thanks in advance

I can 1,000,000% assure you there is. I seam. Toni does the most excellent work of all and very professional to.

She sent me this tag to include.

Polymerclay is very easy to finish. My blanks are made to fit the tube so all that is required is. Once you receive the blank. Place it on the lathe with bushings. Apply CA. Sand the CA with sandpaper. If you sand threw the CA apply more. Never sand my blanks or you will sand off the design. Then apply Polish and you are done.

Now you are going to take sandpaper lay it on a flat surface and rotate the ends round and round till flush with the tube.

Tips: You need to wax your bushings .... or the ca will stick to the bushings as well as the tube and it might chip.


Also I wrote an article for her here.
Toni Ransfield polymer clay pen blanks how-to CA cyanoacrylic finish 101

This details the differences in CA and how to use it. While it’s not detailed as in follow these exact steps because they vary based on equipment it does cover what does happen in the process and what matters.

 

[Bill Mooney]

An interesting thread.

 

[glenpen]

Be careful some of the messages could be classed as advertising.

 

[Penpal]

I have been impressed by your explanation Ed and the detailed help you provide from time to time with respect.Toni has certainly changed the face of pens.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[EStreet]

Be careful some of the messages could be classed as advertising.

Which one(s)?