JasonM
Member
I got several of John U's pheasant blanks a couple of weeks ago and finally got the chance to turn them.
I had spent time on the exoticblanks site trying to decide which of the three blanks I wanted to try out. i was a bit timid as I had never turned anyone's self-cast blanks before and had no idea what to expect. My wife was looking over my shoulder and after several OOO's and AHHH's said "just get all three of them. You know you'll use them and besides - I want one of these pens when you're done". =)
I was a little concerned when I noticed upon milling the blanks that the thin acrylic left on the ends after milling felt a little soft - though it may have been my imagination. I partially blame my garage workshop in the Texas summer for part of that. Once I had a good round on the first one, but while it was still a good way off the bushings, I tested some sandpaper on it to see how it sanded. I found it got hot very quickly, so I just used a very light touch and moved to different parts of the paper a lot. once I knew that, it was back to lathing and you can see the results.
The finish was pretty straightforward - these blanks don't need any special tricking up to look beautiful. Sanded with paper down to 320 grit. Then used a series of micromesh all the way down to 12000. Finished it off by buffing with white diamond and then took it to the soft buffing wheel I use when I'm putting on carnuba. However, I didn't load any wax on it and instead just used whatever residual was on the wheel and relied on the soft fibers to put the final glass on the pen.
Let me know your thoughts!
John - the blanks were beautiful. Top quality! they turned and sanded like a dream and the acrylic is crystal clear. I'll definitely be back for more.
I had spent time on the exoticblanks site trying to decide which of the three blanks I wanted to try out. i was a bit timid as I had never turned anyone's self-cast blanks before and had no idea what to expect. My wife was looking over my shoulder and after several OOO's and AHHH's said "just get all three of them. You know you'll use them and besides - I want one of these pens when you're done". =)
I was a little concerned when I noticed upon milling the blanks that the thin acrylic left on the ends after milling felt a little soft - though it may have been my imagination. I partially blame my garage workshop in the Texas summer for part of that. Once I had a good round on the first one, but while it was still a good way off the bushings, I tested some sandpaper on it to see how it sanded. I found it got hot very quickly, so I just used a very light touch and moved to different parts of the paper a lot. once I knew that, it was back to lathing and you can see the results.
The finish was pretty straightforward - these blanks don't need any special tricking up to look beautiful. Sanded with paper down to 320 grit. Then used a series of micromesh all the way down to 12000. Finished it off by buffing with white diamond and then took it to the soft buffing wheel I use when I'm putting on carnuba. However, I didn't load any wax on it and instead just used whatever residual was on the wheel and relied on the soft fibers to put the final glass on the pen.
Let me know your thoughts!
John - the blanks were beautiful. Top quality! they turned and sanded like a dream and the acrylic is crystal clear. I'll definitely be back for more.
