kf4knf
Member
So I hate buying acrylic blanks at 3-6 bucks a piece from the suppliers when I am just making a 7mm pen. It just raises the pen's selling price...
So, I came up with a plan. I can purchase a 1x1x5 bank and make 2 7mm pens out of it by cutting it on the band saw. I am basically adjusting the band saw table to a 45 degree angle and cutting lengthwise through the blank. This gives you 2 triangle blanks to work with.
Anyone one else this cheap? I am still new to casting my own so this process will get me by for now while I work on my skills.
You really have to be careful when drilling the blank after its a triangle because you have less clearance between the drill cut and the edge of the material. The chances of a blowout are also quite high. I keep an old cycling water bottle near by and shoot some water down the drill hole and on the bit to keep it cool. When I am done I mop up the water from the drill press to prevent rust and move on to gluing the tubes.
So, I came up with a plan. I can purchase a 1x1x5 bank and make 2 7mm pens out of it by cutting it on the band saw. I am basically adjusting the band saw table to a 45 degree angle and cutting lengthwise through the blank. This gives you 2 triangle blanks to work with.
Anyone one else this cheap? I am still new to casting my own so this process will get me by for now while I work on my skills.
You really have to be careful when drilling the blank after its a triangle because you have less clearance between the drill cut and the edge of the material. The chances of a blowout are also quite high. I keep an old cycling water bottle near by and shoot some water down the drill hole and on the bit to keep it cool. When I am done I mop up the water from the drill press to prevent rust and move on to gluing the tubes.