Dymondwood pen blanks

Some help please. I am wondering if there is a special way of turning these items. On the occasions that I have used this product, I have found that on a number of turnings, the wood splits even before I have reduced the wood to an acceptable thickness for a pen. Is it a simple case of reducing the lathe speed?

John

Reply to
John Young
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Reply to
Gerard

Hi John Sorry John but I am no penturner, and can't help you with this question, but there are penturning sites, those people surely could help you with any penturning related questions. Here's one link for you,

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Some help please. I am wondering if there is a special way of turning

Reply to
l.vanderloo

If I am turning pens out of a fragile wood, I turn the whole thing using the skew chisel and come in from the outside of the wood inwards i.e. when you start to come in, you have no bevel support.

I get away with this by using the skew ground to the Eli Avisera shape and that has a convex bevel. That way, the time/distance without support is almost zero. By coming in from the outside you are pushing against solid wood - if you turn as you would normally, from the wood towards each end, you are pushing against thin air at the end of the blank and any fragile wood will just break out.

When taking the blank down to the thickness you need, if you use a gouge, you are more likely to tear any really thin pieces out, hence the reason I always use the skew for the whole process.

The other thing you could do if you are still having problems, is to soak the blank in a wood hardener such as Bondi, but try the top method first - it always works for me.

Kindest regards

Paul Loseby

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Reply to
Paul Loseby

John.. my problems with it are usually in drilling and trimming the blank.. once I do that with out the damn stuff delaminating on me, I'm ok..

As in most or all pen turning, SHARP tools and light pressure will give you a much better cut... Both are much needed with laminated wood, IMO..

Try light cuts and make sure that you have enough speed... I find that I have much more patience when turning a pen at 1,500 or more RPM than I do at 500 RPM.. Mac

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Reply to
mac davis

I have only turned one pen from this material (scarlet night -- but making one has led to an order for two others) and had no problems so-ever. BUT since I do have these additional orders, can you tell us what tools your using and so on? On pens, I only use the skew ... were you perhaps using a scraper? Did you perhaps use a polyurethane glue on the tube?

My lathe maxes out somewhere near 3,000 rpm and that is where I start a pen at (I slow it way down to finish as I usually use CA.)

TIA for any additional input you might offer. I'll check back in a day or two for your response.

Bill

Reply to
Bill

Bill

I can only send you a copy of the web address for tips on turning these blanks. This was sent to me so only fair I should let you read it. Basically, have been doing everything wrong from drilling to sanding including glueing.

I have managed to finished 2 more today as I need them for a xmas craft show coming soon. It will be interesting to know what you think about these tips

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John

Reply to
John Young

I'm not real keen about pouring water down a wood hole just before gluing it but, if you are using a polyurethane, the residual moisture may get bound up in the glue and actually be an asset.

The tips he gave about the drill bits are good. 'Sharp' is the word and 'clearing the chips' (by withdrawing the drill bit frequently) is the technique.

Hey, it sounds like the website knows more than me ... go for it. ;-)

Bill

Reply to
Bill

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