Loofa cigar pen, finally

[MesquiteMan]

It has been mentioned a fair amount here, usually in relation to cactus pens. Well, I finally got ahold of a loofa and cast it this evening. Here is the results. It was cast with Alumilite clear and I used dark blue tinted epoxy for the glue and to cover the tubes.

Here is a close-up

 

[JimGo]

I think I like the cactus better, but that's pretty cool too!

 

[gerryr]

That is very cool. I like it. Gotta get some loofa, lichen, moss, how about mushrooms too![:0]

 

[MesquiteMan]

My wife and I both like my cactus better as well but this is another one to add to the list!

 

[chigdon]

It is extremely cool but the cactus still takes the cake.

 

[johncrane]

Curtis l realy like it too'mate you have done a great job. []

 

[Ligget]

WOW![:0] Fantastic work, keep up the experimenting.[]

 

[Section10]

Very impressive. I'm amazed at the innovation I see on this site.

 

[Glenn McCullough]

very, very well done, Curtis. Can't wait to get my hands on one of those blanks.

 

[Penmonkey]

Nice pen! I like it.

 

[schellfarms]

I have a loofah at home just waiting to become a pen. Can you tell me how you did it? What is alumilite?

 

[Skye]

Looks great! I think it would look even better if the sponge were dyed red. Would look almost like veins.

 

[ctEaglesc]

Since this material is more readiliy available I might just gives this a try.
I like it.

 

[Jim15]

Graet looking pen.

 

[MDWine]

Are there spots in the finish where the sponge meets the surface?
Curious...

 

[NavyDiver]

That's very interesting. Now, where did my wife hide her loofa?

 

[TomJ]

When I first saw the catus, this is what I thought it was. Outstanding!

 

[MesquiteMan]

sarah,

Go to the home page here at IAP and click the link for my tutorial on making cactus blanks. Just substitute loofa for the cactus.

Alumilite is a clear urethane casting resin this is a lot less stinky and less brittle than PR!

 

[MesquiteMan]

Skye,

I am not sure if it would work to dye the loofa. I know I have tried dying the cactus skeletons and they did not take the dye. I tried red, black, and blue Transtint dye both diluted in alcohol and straight and it did not take. I guess I will have to try the loofa and see.

 

[MesquiteMan]

MDWine,

Just about every place you see the white! The loofa is placed in a 1x1x6" square mold and resin is poured in. It is then turned just like a wood blank so yes, I am cutting through the sponge the entire time. Same with my cactus blanks.

 

[btboone]

>I know I have tried dying...

Better than died trying.

 

[Ausdan]

Compliments for willing to try new things and congratulations for making it work!!! Looks great!

 

[Dario]

Another nice pen Curtis.

I've been planning on doing this (cast Loofah) for more than a year now...but you actually put it in action and not just plan. You're the man! []

 

[underdog]

Great job! Glad someone finally shows us what it looks like!

I think you're right that the cactus looks better... Though I'd take the Loofah over the cactus for the amount of work (and stink) it takes...[]

 

[alamocdc]

Dang, Curtis, you beat me to it! I picked up a nice piece of the stuff from Wally World while I was in Houston earlier this week, but haven't had the chance to cast it yet. Looks great!

 

[kent4Him]

very interesting.