Snake Blanks

[GABJR]

I tried my first snake blank last weekend.
It was a disaster.
I am seeking any & all advice

 

[Dario]

All my attempts (2 times []) ended up in a disaster. [V]

I just got a big piece through a trade here...but cannot get myself to cut it and try any pens...YET.

 

[DCBluesman]

Snake WOOD or snake SKIN?

 

[Kaspar]

Making snake blanks or turning them?

 

[GABJR]

Sorry about the confusion
I am asking about a snake skin blank

 

[Dario]

Originally posted by GABJR
<br />Sorry about the confusion
I am asking about a snake skin blank

Oops on my part...but you haven't answered if the problem is casting or turning it.

 

[GABJR]

Turning

 

[Monty]

Exactly what is the problem? Is it shattering during turning or what? The few I've done have been very brittle and it helps to round off the edges on a belt sander prior to turning.

 

[alamocdc]

Light cuts and scary sharp tools. Yes, it may take longer, but the result is worth it. You can't just mussle your way through a synthetic blank. In fact, I can't seem to mussle my way through any blank without ruining it. Take your time.

Oh, and use a round nose scraper. It'll save your skin. Pun intended.

 

[53Jim]

I have turned 1 snake blank and had a minor blowout. I glued the vacationing piece back home and continued. The clip covered the accident.

I sold the pen for $50.00.

EXTREMELY SHARP TOOLS and light cuts. Also, as stated before, round the edges with a sander before turning.

Good luck.

 

[DocStram]

Hey Alan, tell us a little more. When you say "disaster", what exactly do you mean? What tools were you using? How far did you get in turning it? How fast was the lathe turning? What do you recall happenind immediately prior to the disaster? Details, please.

 

[ed4copies]

Doc turns detective-the plot thickens!!!