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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Ipswich
    Posts
    10

    Default CA finish problems

    Hi everyone,

    I have been having problems with my ca finishing on my pens for a while now, I get through the whole process no problems and the micro-meshing but when it comes to taking the pens off the mandrel and separating the tubes from the bushings I almost always manage to crack the ca off the end or have it lift up on me which makes the pen look terrible. In short, is there perhaps something I could apply to my pens prior to ca finishing to make the glue actually want to stick to the timber?
    Any help would be appreciated.

    Steve

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Trinity Beach, Qld.
    Age
    76
    Posts
    5,313

    Default

    Steve, 3 things
    1. Use Delrin bushings in applying and finishing CA
    2. When finished with CA, use a Skew point or thin Parting tool to put a cut into the CA as close to the blank as possible.That way when you remove the Bushings the CA will not stress or break.
    3. Use a gentle End Mill to clean off and square the blank, there is a good thread on that at the moment, or ask Fred---BigShed-- he can make for you.
    Amoshttps://www.woodworkforums.com/f69/sq...-blank-150926/
    Last edited by PenTurner; 16th April 2012 at 12:09 PM. Reason: addition
    Good, better, best, never let it rest;
    Til your good is better, and your
    better, best.

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Nerang Queensland
    Age
    66
    Posts
    10,766

    Default

    Amos gives good advice. Make sure when cut the CA with a skew, make sure it is extremely sharp, if it is blunt it can drag rather than cut. I actually made a small sharp pointy tool using steel cutting steel.
    Neil
    ____________________________________________
    Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Brisbane
    Age
    68
    Posts
    2,061

    Default

    Steve

    I use Delrin bushes as mentioned by Amos to apply the CA to the blanks. They rarely stick and if they do a gentle tap of the delrin on a piece of wood will free the bushes. Alternatively cut around them as suggested. I also found a set of craft scalpels for sale at Adli for around $10 is perfect for cutting the CA. You can make your own from a kitchen cutting board which is delrin or you can buy them on line already shaped for all the tube sizes. Woodturningz in the USA have them. There might be suppliers in Australia that someone else can mention. They are cheap - around $10 for a set and pretty well last indefinitely. If the CA builds up on the delrin a gentle squeeze with pliers on the bush will make the CA crack and fall off. I won't use anything other than Delrin having lost a couple of blanks when using the metal bushes to apply the CA to the blanks.

    Greg
    The Pen is mightier than the Sword

    www.artisanpens.com.au
    www.facebook.com/artisanpens.penmakers

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Nowra NSW
    Age
    51
    Posts
    188

    Default

    I am also having this problem now that I have finaly got the ca finish sorted (kind of) I have ordered two 60 degree live centres just for putting ca on, I figure if I can't touch them with the ca the pen won't stick to them and then I can put the bushes back on for the micromesh.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    531

    Default

    Another little trick is don't let the ca build up. In other words if you are doing 8 coats, remove from the bushings after 4 coats and sand the edges if need be because you will have build up. Easier to take bushings off before you use all 8 coats to finish. Clean bushings if need be. Place back on and finish other 4 coats. Take off again and sand the edges and place a small drop of thin CA if using wood as the blank to seal the ends again. Place back and finish with MM. Maybe abit more work but beats the alternative. I have the delron bushings and all the other gadgets mentioned but I find I still need to clean the ends so have to take them off the bushings anyway so what did you save. Nothing in my opinion. Just more gadgets for people to buy. This hobby is expenseive as it is. Good luck.

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