Purple acrylic.

[Steve68]

In case you haven't read my "introduce myself" thread....Hello

Purple acrylic blanks.......is it just me or are they absolutely terrible to turn? Mine seem to catch, chip, break, and ruin my tools to an edge duller than a weekend in Brussels.

And while I'm on the subject of dull tools, where can I get my gouges sharpened by a pro in the Suffolk area? It seems to be a dying trade.

All the best,
Steve.

 

[Penpal]

The same place you live is best,sharp tools need keeping sharp best to learn now.Look for a Wood Turning Group local and join and see and learn.

All the best Peter.

 

[Gadget-UK]

It all depends on what type of acrylic has been used to make the blanks Steve.
I have a few in my workshop that rip out and splinter really badly and others (from a different supplier) that turn beautifully with no issues.

As I think your finding a sharp chisel is a MUST for turning acrylic (and wood for that matter).
Have you thought about getting a sharpening system.
I have this one:

Robert Sorby ProEdge System - Tools & Machines - Yandle & Sons Ltd

You can get it cheaper elsewhere
Fantastic piece of kit and has kept my chisels etc very sharp

Bit of a way (i think) but if you fancy a trip to Poole (Dorset) then give me a shout and bring your chisels with you

 

[Gadget-UK]

Just re-read your post and its Suffolk not Sussex
Sorry bit far for you to come.....

 

[Steve68]

The Robert Sorby sharpening system looks great. Might have to treat myself as I have a couple of Robert Sorby chisels. They seem pretty good.

 

[Gadget-UK]

The Robert Sorby sharpening system looks great. Might have to treat myself as I have a couple of Robert Sorby chisels. They seem pretty good.

It really is very good Steven
Even my son turns up at weekends with a handful to sharpen

 

[Steve68]

Maybe if I buy it for the Mrs for her birthday...?

You know where this is going :wink:

 

[Dibbs]

The Sorby sharpener is great. Sending tools out for sharpening isn't going to work. They need sharpening all the time. Scrapers in particular only last a few minutes.

 

[Phil Dart]

Ian has it right - sending tools out to be professionally sharpened is not really ever going to be a satisfactory solution for a turner. Depending on the material you are turning, you may need to re-sharpen a tool several times during the course of making even one pen.

The better solution is as already mentioned, which is to get your own sharpening system. That could be as simple as a bench grinder, but more sophisticated options exist too, the two popular ones being the Tormek grinder and the Sorby Pro-edge. Both have their devotees, but in my observation (and my own preference too) most roads lead to the Pro-edge in the end.

Dull tools may also help explain the problems you're having with acrylic blanks. Acrylics vary in their ease of turning depending on the type of resin, but it could also just be that having started on a purple one, coincidentally the sharpness of your tools may have reached a state whereby they are no longer up to the job.

 

[Steve68]

Well guys, I did it. I took a trip to Classic Hand Tools in Witnesham and what a great bunch they are. Very helpful indeed.

I bought myself the deluxe model with the extra jig etc. WOW!!! What a difference!!!!

Spun these up in half the time.

 

[fortress]

I vote pro- edge Steve, it's a great bit of kit, you can't go wrong.

 

[Bill Mooney]

It’s all been said. Those pens look great. You will only get better. High speed, slow light cuts & sharp tools will help you improve your turning.

 

[Bucks]

You’ll never regret getting the Pro-Edge Steve, so easy to use.
Great looking pens by the way

 

[Steve68]

I'm very pleased with the sharpener already. The shed and kitchen have much sharper implements than before

Bill & Paul, thanks for your compliments. I'm wanting to try something other than the slimline pens. Any recommendations?

Cheers.

 

[wm460]

Maybe if I buy it for the Mrs for her birthday...?

You know where this is going :wink:

That is the correct thinking.