Cactus Sierra Elegant
- Thread starter Rchan63
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jimbob91577
Member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2008
- Messages
- 280
Awesome...
Great job on the pen...
Its funny you should show this, I just finished up a elegant sierra cactus from
Ron as well...I painted mine Copper. I'll post pics in a day or two.
Great job on the pen...
Its funny you should show this, I just finished up a elegant sierra cactus from
Ron as well...I painted mine Copper. I'll post pics in a day or two.
Rchan63
Member
Thanks jimbob but I didn't paint the blank. I had him make me a red cactus blank. How was it for you when turning the blank?
jimbob91577
Member
- Joined
- Aug 18, 2008
- Messages
- 280
Well...
My nose is not a big fan of Silmar now...lets put it that way. The blank was good, there are about 3 bubbles still in the casting in areas right next to cactus, so they will mostly go unnoticed. There were a few bubbles that were exposed on the surface after turning which filled in fine with CA glue. I used a CA finish by the way, if that isn't obvious. All in all it turned and finished fine.
I like the way the cactus is laid into the casting though - all veins no flats. I still have another half to turn which will probably end up being a metallic blue.
I'm not sure what Ron's process is for casting these, if he is using a pressure pot or not - but they seem to be good little blanks. If I get some additional interest from customers, I'll surely purchase more.
My nose is not a big fan of Silmar now...lets put it that way. The blank was good, there are about 3 bubbles still in the casting in areas right next to cactus, so they will mostly go unnoticed. There were a few bubbles that were exposed on the surface after turning which filled in fine with CA glue. I used a CA finish by the way, if that isn't obvious. All in all it turned and finished fine.
I like the way the cactus is laid into the casting though - all veins no flats. I still have another half to turn which will probably end up being a metallic blue.
I'm not sure what Ron's process is for casting these, if he is using a pressure pot or not - but they seem to be good little blanks. If I get some additional interest from customers, I'll surely purchase more.
Caden_Hrabak
Member
I like that pen it looks really nice
WOOHOO! That is a super sharp pen! I do indeed use a pressure pot. 50 pounds worth of pressure! I also preheat the resin to get it as thin as possible to fill the voids. I ALSO use a neck massager vibrotron 2000 to vibrate the molds while filling.
Unfortunately there is a slight tradeoff due to the technique i use. When doing the flat blanks, most people put the cactus in a pan type mold and pour a big hunk and cut it into blanks. With that technique, I think it is easier for the air to escape.
I make round blanks one at a time in individual molds. And with my technique, there is not as much opportunity for the bubbles to escape so they get stuck. They are a pain in the rump to finish, but the finished product is amazing.
All of this is also why i havent started an open ended ad for these blanks. It takes me a couple of days to make one batch which i sell for about $60. These blanks are a true labor of love. I make them because they are fun to make, and i sell them so i can make more.
Unfortunately there is a slight tradeoff due to the technique i use. When doing the flat blanks, most people put the cactus in a pan type mold and pour a big hunk and cut it into blanks. With that technique, I think it is easier for the air to escape.
I make round blanks one at a time in individual molds. And with my technique, there is not as much opportunity for the bubbles to escape so they get stuck. They are a pain in the rump to finish, but the finished product is amazing.
All of this is also why i havent started an open ended ad for these blanks. It takes me a couple of days to make one batch which i sell for about $60. These blanks are a true labor of love. I make them because they are fun to make, and i sell them so i can make more.
joeatact
Member
Real great looking pen.
Rchan63
Member
Thanks for all the great comments.
Ron, the pen only looks as good as the person who casts them. Great job on the color. I doubt I can make an good looking pen with a bad casting.
Ron, the pen only looks as good as the person who casts them. Great job on the color. I doubt I can make an good looking pen with a bad casting.
David Keller
Member
That looks great. I like the fact that it's all thin veining rather than having the areas of broad cactus.
jocat54
Member
Good job, it looks great.
Mrs Rojo22
Member
Really nice!
Robin
Robin
Rchan63
Member
Thank you for all the kind words, but I have to give most of the credit to Ron for a great looking pen blank.
Craftdiggity
Member
Very cool looking.
Chris
Chris
Dont blame it on me!!!:biggrin:
Really, the best pen blanks in the world are useless in the wrong hands, and even my holey blanks can be made to look amazing by someone with skill!
I will agree that they are tough to work with, but i will also agree that they are well worth the effort!
Really, the best pen blanks in the world are useless in the wrong hands, and even my holey blanks can be made to look amazing by someone with skill!
I will agree that they are tough to work with, but i will also agree that they are well worth the effort!
Mark
Member
Very nice. I like the red. It makes the cactus pop..
seamus7227
Member
Cool! nice work