Thanks for the help!
On issue I had which was on the other side of the pen was when I apply the thin CA to the decal the CA wants to run to the other side of the pen and I ended up the first time with a bit of sanding on opposite side to get rid of the CA which had accumulated.... when you coat the decal with the CA how do you prevent the accumulation on the other side of the blank? Do you apply the thin CA while turning? I was worried about smearing the decal ...
It wasn't much but there is an uneven spot under the clip.
Thanks for the suggestions and the help!!
Hi Bob, :smile-big:
You don't just apply CA over the Decal.
Just to set the scene, and to make sure we are on the same page.
You apply the Decal to the Blank, prior to Assembly of the Pen.
And you will apply the Thin CA with your lathe turning at a slow speed.
Before applying the CA, leave the Blank with the Decal, at least overnight, or preferably longer to Dry, take into account particularly the Humidity that you have in your area and shop .
I recall the amount of water I used to get in my Humidifier when I lived in Pennsylvania, over the Summer's.
To apply the CA, I mount the Blank, using Deldrin 60 deg Cones on each end of the Blank, (as the CA will not Stick the Blank to the Deldrin Cones), and my "A size" mandrel, on my lathe.
Then, while rotating the Blank at a slow speed, I spread several drops of thin CA onto a 4 folded Wad of "Quality" Kitchen Paper, Sheet, then quickly apply the wet CA to the underside of the turning Blank, moving it from one end to the other.
If I feel any slight drag, I then spread a few drops, along the turning blank, and wipe them with the Folded Paper wad.
I then let it continue turning for say around 10 minutes.
Then stop the Lathe, and lightly touch the CA with a small edge along side the nail of my Index Finger, to see if it is Wet or Dry.
Once there is no transfer or shining deposit on my finger, that is the coat is touch Dry, I repeat the process, of depositing Coats of Thin CA, three to four times, until I am satisfied that I have given it a substantial and adequate coverage.
I then transfer the blank, off the lathe to a clean, dust free area, and let it harden for at least 24 hours.
Once Hardened, I then review the Finish, Optically and by Feel, to determine what type Abrasive and Grit to use, to commence the Finishing.
Normally I will go straight to Micro Mesh.
If I feel any course area's on the Blank, I will lightly go through all the Micro Mesh Grades.
If however, it is quite smooth, I will start somewhere in the Middle of the range.
Again another, Examination and Feel, will determine if I need to give any more coats of CA.
If not, I then apply a coat of Renaissance Wax (a Micro-Crystalline Wax) that resists finger marks, and surface deterioration, as well as imparting a high Sheen, and Very Tactile Touch.
Then I assemble the Pen, after I have cleaned the inside of the Blank Tubes, and deburr the ends of the Tubes.
This is to ensure that no CA or other contaminates exist in the area's to which you are going to Press the Pen Kit Components, and the Deburring is to ensure that the Tube ends have a "lead in" for the Pressing Operation.
Using this, or a similar process, you will have distributed the CA evenly over the Entire Blank, and Similarly when you have sanded, you will have sanded evenly over the Entire Blank.
Hence, the only way you will Damage the Decal, is if you remove too much CA, in the Sanding or Finishing Operations.
I re Read your Concerns. And noticed I didn't address, with regard to smearing the Decal.
I take it that you are Spraying the Decal with Krylon or similar Fixing after Printing as recommended by the Water Slide Decal Providers.
If so you have no worries about the Printer Ink Smearing, as you have sealed it with the Krylon Fixing Lacquer, and the CA will not affect Dry Fixing Lacquer.
Some Turners, will also use a Buffing System with Abrasives Solutions or Pastes, on a Rotating Buff. I have not found that necessary, so I can't add any comments on the Pro's or Con's of Buffing.
I trust that this "Manifesto" Addresses your Concerns , and that I have adequately described the Processes that I use.
If you have any further questions, or want any more information, you know where to contact me. :wink:
Regards,
Brian.