Clear material to turn?

[NAH]

I have a brillient (read untested and probably highly flawed) idea for a pen. It mostly involves using a clear plastic as the body, but putting a colored design on the inside of the plastic or outside of the tube. So, two questions, why isn't it going to work, and what material should I use? I got the idea from seeing some Acrylic rod, but it seems like it might not turn so well. Polycarbonate(Lexan) seems like it might do. Any sugestions or help? Thanks,
NAH

 

[DCBluesman]

It might be fun to paint on the brass tubes, drill the blanks just a bit larger than normal and see what develops! Most hobby shops carry a variety of paints that will work on brass.

 

[timdaleiden]

You could try polyester resin.

Here is a link to Jay Pickens PMG album where he has embedded a number of things in clear PR. Some of them are quite striking.

http://www.turtlewoodworks.com/pmggallery/pickensjgal1.htm

 

[Adam]

i hope it isn't Lexan aka Blast proof lexan good luck if it is
i had a similar idea although you turn a slimline or what ever completely flat and then Turn the wood first then turn a perfect plastic sleeve to fit over it to meet the parts of the pen good luck though

Adam

 

[Guest]

I was talking to Jason at woodturningz about the new blank they are coming out with.
It's snakes skin and it is just as you described.
Snakes skin wrapped around a tube and cast in resin of some sort.
Hold on to your hat, one blank is going to cost $20.00.
Jason suggested using 1/2 a blnak for a pen and pencil set with contrasting material for the other 1/2.
Sounds like you are on to something!

 

[NAH]

$20 a blank is a little high for me right now, and besides, I like to make as much of it myself as I can. And Adam, yes, polycarb is Lexan, but you can cut it with normal wood working tools. I know this from experience. When you drill it, you *should* use a reground bit with small flats on it, but I've had good luck with normal bits (never cracked any, but that was sheet). I'm looking at the polyester though, as I can get the resin and some translucent dye. I think putting a silver leaf or foil over the tubes with the dye could prove to be very effective. When I get something I'll be sure to post it, sadly I'm away from the shop until Turkyday and Christmas (college student and all) so it may be a little while.

 

[patrick_1853]

I'm thinking the 20 dollars may be because of the snakeskin not so much the PR. I'm not really basing this on anything just a guess.

 

[jwoodwright]

I used a "bullet" type bit and drilled slow. Was making a spacer for a machine. It was clear plexiglass 3/4" rod. Just go slow and back out frequently. A hot drill bit will get stuck, trust me on this...[]