A burl pen - some advice?

[RobSys]

Hi all...

I've acquired a piece of red gum burl that want to use for some pens.

I know red gum is somewhat difficult to turn and I expect that this stuff will simply shatter as soon as a come near it with a gouge...

Any thoughts on how to stabilise/fill it?

Thanks,

Rob331112331111

[dai sensei]

Cast it. Either with clear or coloured resins. If you do not have access to casting gear, your could use thick CA if you want clear, or use thin CA with a filler (glitter/coffee/metals/stone/colours etc)

[RobSys]

Cast it. Either with clear or coloured resins. If you do not have access to casting gear, your could use thick CA if you want clear, or use thin CA with a filler (glitter/coffee/metals/stone/colours etc)

Thanks dai sensei!!!

I don't have casting gear so I'm limited a pair of gloves and some CA...

I'll probably go for the clear - so the thick CA. Do I just pour it over the blank and let is cure? I assume that one applies a bit and let it soak in, then apply some more - 'till all cavities are filled?

Do I use an accelerator?

Or would I be better off using some thin CA, let it soak and cure naturally, then follow up with the thick CA? No accelerator...

Rob

[dai sensei]

If you have both, yes thin first, then thick - NO accelerator. Leave at least overnight to cure. When you then later drill the hole for the tube, do not drill all the way through, then pour thin CA in and twist letting it pond all round before leaving it to cure again for at least an hour. Then drill again before using epoxy for tube coating all of tube and all of the hole. Here is a video I did for my croc blanks but the principle is the same https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayQ44ICoWDw&list=UUDxZtFS4zuMk4OymtAWIFhQ

[RobSys]

If you have both, yes thin first, then thick - NO accelerator. Leave at least overnight to cure. When you then later drill the hole for the tube, do not drill all the way through, then pour thin CA in and twist letting it pond all round before leaving it to cure again for at least an hour. Then drill again before using epoxy for tube coating all of tube and all of the hole. Here is a video I did for my croc blanks but the principle is the same https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayQ44ICoWDw&list=UUDxZtFS4zuMk4OymtAWIFhQ

I shall give it a go... :C

Rob

[gawdelpus]

Just a bit more, if you have a belt sander or disc sander ,after gluing and allowing a proper bond,take off the corners on the sander ,the closer you get to round ,the easier it will be to turn ,depending on your tool skills a small roughing gauge ( say 3/4 ),then skew as you get closer, all the while checking if you need a bit more CA as you get deeper into the wood :) Difficult materials take a bit more time, but the end result is worth the effort , cheers ~ John