Chrome/silver looking pen blank

[Neededwill]

Someone asked if I could make a bolt action bullet pen with a chrome/silver looking blank instead of wood. I am a little hesitant since me and acrylics don't get along. But I will keep trying.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I found this one but its out of stock.

Exotic Blanks :: Pen Blanks :: Other European Resins :: Metallic Silver Blank

Thanks

 

[Mike8850]

I have turn aluminum that looks pretty close to what you want.
Mike

 

[Neededwill]

Do you need special tools for turning?

 

[Joey-Nieves]

The trick to acrylic is very sharp tools, lite cuts and not to over heat the blank. I turn with my lathe crank up all the way cuts are smother and the blank cools faster. I like to turn with Carbide tools and a Sharp Skew. As you know there is no wright tool for the Job, everybody has a way with ther tools and will find a way to use the one they fell most confortable with, even if it's use is not intended for the job. I make my own tools and have a few EWT's from Craig that I love. I also keep them sharp with a tip I learned from Fool4peppers. You can also take a trip to Puerto Rico and I'll help you with the basics.(LOL). The weather is a little cold at 89, but I'm sure you can rough it
As for a metallic look, have you seen the Captain America Blanks by Mark?

 

[Neededwill]

What sharpening tip Joey?

 

[Joey-Nieves]

I bought a 4 sided diamond sharpening block at harbor freight for $10. It has 4 side, 200, 300, 400 and 600, depending on how bad the edge is on the insert cutter I rub the insert in a circular motion about 6 times and it's as good as new. Remember, diamond stones only work on carbide, if you sharpen a HSS tool it will chemically react and ruin your diamond. For HSS use CBN wheels their expensive but worth every penny.

What sharpening tip Joey?

 

[dartman]

I have turn aluminum that looks pretty close to what you want.
Mike

I have done the same.I use 1/2" bar stock from the k&S rack at my
hobby shop.I think it is like 4.99 for a 12" piece.After sanding and
polishing the blank looks like chrome.

 

[KenV]

Someone asked if I could make a bolt action bullet pen with a chrome/silver looking blank instead of wood. I am a little hesitant since me and acrylics don't get along. But I will keep trying.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I found this one but its out of stock.

Exotic Blanks :: Pen Blanks :: Other European Resins :: Metallic Silver Blank

Thanks

The link says there are 24 available this morning --

 

[Neededwill]

Yep, ordered 3

 

[ladycop322]

Randbcrafts.com has some!