Looking for invisible tubes

[Chasper]

I can't seem to find them, they must be laying around here somewhere but I can't see them.

I need them because these blanks are over the limit transparent; you could read a newspaper through them. I tried the gaudy approach first, I painted the inside of the drill hole with matching paint and lots of silver sparkles; gaudy, blotchy and ugly. On another I poured acetone through the drill hole several times so it was smooth and clean; that makes it even more transparent. I could try a clear plastic tube or no tube next and just let the refill show, but I don't think that is going to look good.

Suggestions?

 

[dennisg]

The invisible tubes will let all the components show, so you wouldn't be much better off.

 

[Jim Smith]

What about a bright chrome colored tube. That may brighten up the blank and look nice. Just a thought...

Jim Smith

 

[thewishman]

In Ohio, we make our Ns facing the correct way.:wink:

 

[markgum]

in one of the sales magazine from either woodcraft, psi, or CSUSA; I saw a tube for acrylic. They were suppose to be enhance the translucent colour of the blank. I'll try and find them again.

 

[gketell]

Paint the inside of the hole silver or white to brighten the tube. Or Gold to give it a richer color.

When I did the Rose Petal pen (which has a truely clear blank) I sprayed the inside of the tube with Pearlescent paint followed by gold paint. It looks nice and not gaudy. Maybe the same thing would work for you.

GK

 

[Ligget]

I have noticed that many acrylic blanks on the market are getting more and more transparent, not like the old days!

 

[NewLondon88]

I'd go with a silver or a gunmetal colored tube. I think it would look great!
The pearl paint inside is a good idea, too. I like the blank, even though
it is more of a challenge to make it work..

 

[ed4copies]

I have noticed that many acrylic blanks on the market are getting more and more transparent, not like the old days!

I agree Mark.

Now, is that because they think we WANT it, or they are easier to make?? Particularly on these Taiwan and China blanks - is it intentional??

 

[Russianwolf]

I agree Mark.

Now, is that because they think we WANT it, or they are easier to make?? Particularly on these Taiwan and China blanks - is it intentional??

less pigment means less expense? Maybe?

 

[Chasper]

If I just had a piece of the invisibility cloak that Harry Potter wore. . .

I tried a silver tube, but didn't glue it in and turn it down, it might work. Wouldn't painted silver look much like a silver tube? Pearlescent paint sounds interesting. It is a China blank.

I was thinking maybe gluing on petals from real African Violet flowers, maybe dipping them in a clear coat. Could I center the tube and pour resin around it in an oversized hole?

What if I took a white tube and put a decal on it? Maybe a decal with words so it looked like it was intended to be transparent so it could be read?

 

[Monty]

If the tubes are invisible, you'll never find them.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[Russianwolf]

being that transparent, you may want to paint the inside of the tubes since any pockets/bubbles/voids in the glue will be clearly visable.

I had a red blank that was similarly translucent when turned. I had glued the tubes in with GG and the effect of the foaming made a very interesting lava-like appearance. Now they have the white GG and so you may get a cool effect with that.

 

[jleiwig]

I was thinking maybe gluing on petals from real African Violet flowers, maybe dipping them in a clear coat. Could I center the tube and pour resin around it in an oversized hole?

This wouldn't be a bad idea in my mind. In practice..probably not as easy as it sounds.