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Thread: WIP - Clock Parts and Aluminum
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28th May 2014, 12:28 AM #1
WIP - Clock Parts and Aluminum
well here is a WIP on how i make a clock parts and Aluminum Tape blank, it actually takes 2 - 3 nights to get the point of the last photo, mainly due to waiting for paint to dry
Step 1 - for this blank i have selected a Siera, rough up the Brass tube with sandpaper and cut a piece of HVAC aluminum tape the length of the tube
1cs.JPG
Step2 - You then peel off the backing and wrap the tube, i always try to keep the tape smooth, no wrinkles
2cs.JPG
Step 3 - i then emboss the tube, the method i use gives it the look of Checker Plate not quite but has a great effect
3cs.JPG
Step 4 - Painting, i use a metallic model paint which is quite transparent so the marks show through, now for the first waiting period, 24 hours to make sure the paint has completely dried (worse than waiting for the kettle to boil)
4cs.JPG
Step 5 - now i add the armor plates to each end, you can see from the pickie that the tape i use for these is much thicker than the HVAC tape, i also punch the rivet holes - one hole at a time. then more painting, again i use model paint to darken (age) the tape, brush on, wipe off before it dries and then allow it to dry
5cs.JPG
Step 6 - now for the time consuming job of bending the watch parts, 1 small drop of CA where i want the piece added and place it gently on the glue, i usually have upwards of 25 watch pieces on a siera and can take me 2 hours for this one step
6cs.JPG7cs.JPG8cs.JPG
its amazing what you can see in a photo that the old eyes don't pick up, in the center photo above one of the gears is broken, but a blind man would be happy to see it
all thats left to do is cast in resin, turn to shape and add the component set, i might get a chance this weekend to complete the project but i am not sure, i will add the rest of the pickies once it is complete
all the best
MIKNo Result Without Effort
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28th May 2014, 06:40 AM #2Senior Member
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I for one Mik being new to turning and have not done any casting wondered how you did your stuff mate..very interesting and thanks for sharing..look forward to the rest of the WIP
Mick!!!
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28th May 2014, 07:01 AM #3
Well done on the WIP Mik. It really emphasizes just how much work you put into your blanks.
I really hope your customers appreciate fully what they are getting.Brad.
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28th May 2014, 08:29 AM #4
Nicely done Mik ! I spend a reasonable amount of time at the markets explaining to people some of the processes we go through to present them with unique hand crafted pens ,once they get an understanding of what's involved they are far more likely to part with their hard earned cash, on what is essentially a luxury item Your attention to detail and care in producing these blanks is outstanding ,and worth more than the modest charge to other pen turners that you ask , I have seen these in the flesh at Tony's (perfect pens ) and must say they are impressive to say the least cheers ~ John
G'day all !Enjoy your stay !!!
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28th May 2014, 09:43 AM #5
Nice one MIK.
Can't believe how much goes into one blank. Your a very patient man.
Do you cast with a vacuum or pressure pot?
Timberbits.Direct Importer of pen kits. Lowest prices and largest range.
Pen kits and pen blanks - www.timberbits.com
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28th May 2014, 11:33 AM #6
Really appreciate you showing us your method of making these MIK. I have always admired your work and wondered how they were done.
How do you emboss the first layer of tape? Is the tape you use for the armour plates self adhesive like the thinner tape?
Looking forward to seeing the finished article.Dallas
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28th May 2014, 12:49 PM #7
Well done, shows the extent of work involved well, that most would not appreciate.
So being so many layers and relatively thick, will it become a Sierra Vista, or is it still thin enough for a normal Sierra?Neil____________________________________________Every day presents an opportunity to learn something new
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28th May 2014, 07:00 PM #8
Beautiful work. It is all about patience. Unfortunately, it would be hard to show a profit at the markets because of the sheer amount of time that goes into making each blank. Great work and thanks for sharing
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29th May 2014, 12:17 AM #9
thanks for the kind words guys
the main reason i did this was to show the blank pre-cast, the pictures of the turned pens don't show the real character that the pen has in the hand
i think from now on i will take a pickie of the blank before casting
do i have a plan when i start making a blank??? ... an idea maybe but what happens, happens... all i look to create is character
i did receive in the mail today another potential additive to these blanks, i wont say any more because it may not work or it could look like .....
Hiya John, when talking to potential customers, i find it amazing how many people don't believe that you made the pen let alone the cast blanks, even some of the local penturners asked me where i was buying the blanks from and wouldn't believe me, so i told them they can get them from Perfect Pens and Pencils and they were happy ... go figure
Hiya David, i tried pressure and it failed, i haven't tried vacuum, i do have a vacuum pump but i don't have a clear tank to see what is happening
i have been casting with heated resin, no idea what temp, i just keep stirring until the resin seems thin enough, i have cut back on the MEKP, warm resin goes off much faster, 1% even in the coldish climate we have down here seems fine
Hiya Dallas, the embossing is one secret i will not give up at the minute, i have shared everything else in the making of these though, i will say that the discovery was a very pleasant accident
i have 2 different Aluminum Tapes, one of them i have in 3 different widths, plus copper tape all of them are self adhesive
Hiya Neil, it will be a normal siera, i would have taken a pickie of the end to show the thickness but some idiot left their camera plug into the computer and turned on since last night, the battery is charging i will take a pickie sometime before casting
i think i have covered all the questions if i missed you please ask again
in the words of Morpheus - "FREE YOUR MIND" - and you never know what you may come up with
all the best
MIKNo Result Without Effort
Mecha Blanks now on Facebook - Miks Blanks
Mecha Blanks now Available at Perfect Pens and Pencils
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29th May 2014, 11:38 PM #10
finally a fully charged battery for the camera
here is a pickie of the end, as you can see the thicker aluminum tape is not very thick, i just looked it up and its only 0.12mm which includes the adhesive backing
some of the watch parts are much ticker than the tape, this barrel will have to have a little bit of shaping to it, not to the bulbous stage though
i think the black paint gives it the added depth creating an optical illusion
i have also added some pickies of other precast blanks, i am totally amazed at how much more you can see with the camera, the 26" monitor also may have something to do with it
all the best
MIKNo Result Without Effort
Mecha Blanks now on Facebook - Miks Blanks
Mecha Blanks now Available at Perfect Pens and Pencils
Find me on Facebook - Pens by MIK
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30th May 2014, 08:12 AM #11
I was thinking they would be a bit thicker than that Mik, so I was surprised to see the pics showing how thin they actually are.
You are correct about the photos on the monitor showing up more than the eye can see.
My 27" mac is ussually where I find faults on my pens, I have had to disassemble and refinish on more than one occasion after seeing something I dont like.Brad.
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30th May 2014, 08:40 AM #12
I think this thread is one of those threads that are quite extraordinary.
I really appreciate the time you have placed into creating this work in progress and sharing your thoughts.
Thank you
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30th May 2014, 09:52 AM #13
Top marks to you Mick!!!! Not only for the end results but the patience that you have to build up the body of the pen. I am always amased at you fellas who make pens with what you can come up with in such a small area.
I did make some pens years ago when I had access to corian off cuts. I made them for my own amusement at the time. At the present I am trying to tidy up my shed and I came across some pen bodies that I had forgotten about. I am going to make a concerted effort to make pens with my spare parts, whether they will be up to the standard that you fellas exhibit here.......well I'll see.
The diversity of skills that Forumites have is quite amasing. Please keep the photos comingJust do it!
Kind regards Rod
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30th May 2014, 10:58 AM #14
Thanks for all that info MIK. Those close up photos certainly give us some idea of sizing of the components. Doesn't look as thick end on as it they do from the side.
I fully understand that you don't want to give away all your secrets in the making of these fantastic blanks. I don't think there will be too many people who would have the patience and flare to do these.Dallas
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30th May 2014, 07:26 PM #15
thanks to all who have looked at and/or responded on this thread, all feedback is welcome, good, bad or questions
Thanks Christos, i appreciate the kind words, more will follow i will put up the cast pickies and then the finished product
Thanks Rod, I/We look forward to seeing your pens so make sure that you show them, i have many pens that didn't make the cut, they are all over the house and shed, there is nearly always one within arms length so you don't have to go looking
believe it or not i make all of my metal blanks while watching TV, SWMBO gets grumpy with all of my Gizmos laying on the coffee table, she gets over it though when i make her a cuppa
thanks Dallas, you are not the only one to ask how it was done, i have had a number of PMs from the IAP all asking the same thing. my answer has been the same to everyone, thanks for understanding
the key to everything WE do in making special blanks is all experimentation, so exeperiment mate you never know what you will come up with
Thanks Brad, the camera is 12.1 megapixels and when you blow the originals up .....
all the pickies on this thread i cropped before resizing so you get to see more detail of what i was trying to achieve
all the best
MIKNo Result Without Effort
Mecha Blanks now on Facebook - Miks Blanks
Mecha Blanks now Available at Perfect Pens and Pencils
Find me on Facebook - Pens by MIK
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