Use of disk sander for squaring blanks
Dear All
I use a proxxon disk sander and find it very accurate and reliable just make sure that the disk is clean (I use a disk cleaner all the time). The proxxon is not the cheapest but is vibration free and has variable speed and gives a fantastic finish. But for squaring the blanks read the following.
When I first started making pens I had all sorts of problems one of which was squaring the ends properly without damaging the blanks and getting a good clean finish. I tried making various jigs to use on a disk sander but a minute misallignment gave less than satisfactory results.
So I started thinking about the prodedure and came up with the startling revelation that a BARREL TRIMMER is best used to TRIM the BARREL.
So after glueing I use a disk sander to roughly true the pen blank by eye until the brass tube just starts to show thru - I can tell when I am there because there is a slight change of noise from the sander.
I then use two different posi screwdrivers to remove excess glue then a tool made from an old mandrel to clean the inside of the tubes. By this stage the inside of the tube is clean and the ends fairly square.
I then use a barrel trimmer in an electric drill which I rest on the bench to trim the barrel. So I am only using the barrel trimmer for a very short period to remove small amounts of materiel as long as I have got a complete "circle" I am happy. This means the trimmer lasts a lot longer and does not get clogged with glue etc.
I generally trim blanks for 10 pens at a time and the whole procedure takes me about 15 mins. But I am left with perfectly squared blanks every time.
This is the way I do it and it works for me.
Sean
www.aberfanturning.co.uk
