Snake skin Blanks

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

spinhold

Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2008
Messages
1
Location
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
I am new to the forum.I have not checked to see if this has been discussed before.
I am casting my own snakeskin blanks in PR. Has anyone had any problems with the PR separating from the skin during the assembly process when the nib or clip ends are pressed into the blank??? If so, are there any solutions to this???
Thanks,
Rick
 
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad

rherrell

Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2006
Messages
6,333
Location
Pilot Mountain, NC
I've made a few skins but I have never had that exact problem. For what it's worth, I can give you my thoughts on what MIGHT help.
First, I would make sure the tube is clean. I would chamfer the ends of the tubes, a good idea on ALL types of pens. Maybe check the fit of the parts BEFORE you cast the tubes. Sometimes the plating can be a little thick so you might use a Dremel tool or a file to remove some of it. Better the fit be a little loose than tight. If it's loose you can always use a dab of epoxy to hold it together.
If Don Ward sees this I'm sure he'll know exactly what to do. He's "Da Man" when it comes to snakeskins.
 

Tubby

Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2005
Messages
92
Location
Wichita Falls, Tx, USA.
Listen to Rick. His suggestions are excellent. I use a deburring tool from Harbor Freight to remove any burr from the inside edge of the tube. The champhering tool that Bill Baumbeck (http://www.arizonasilhouette.com) sells is also a good choice. Be sure the parts are going in straight and not at an angle. If this is happening to you all or most of the time, then you should be able to figure out what is causing the problem. It is not a casting issue but an assembly issue. Maybe you could use a little sandpaper on the pen parts and a drop of epoxy will hold them securely. Do not use CA for gluing in kit parts to the tubes. CA is very difficult to remove from the outside of the pen, but epoxy can be cleaned off. I'm not sure this will solve your delima, but I sure hope so. Good luck and ...
Do a good turn daily!
Don

BTW, this is Don. Ed aka Tubby was just here and had logged in and I forgot to log myself in.:D

Originally posted by rherrell

I've made a few skins but I have never had that exact problem. For what it's worth, I can give you my thoughts on what MIGHT help.
First, I would make sure the tube is clean. I would chamfer the ends of the tubes, a good idea on ALL types of pens. Maybe check the fit of the parts BEFORE you cast the tubes. Sometimes the plating can be a little thick so you might use a Dremel tool or a file to remove some of it. Better the fit be a little loose than tight. If it's loose you can always use a dab of epoxy to hold it together.
If Don Ward sees this I'm sure he'll know exactly what to do. He's "Da Man" when it comes to snakeskins.
 

toolcrazy

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2006
Messages
5,408
Location
Port Orchard, WA
I've read here at IAP that the chemical that they tan the skins with will cause the PR to bubble. And moisture will do this, also. Just a thought.
 

bruce119

Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
2,978
Location
Franklin, NC, USA.
Are you useing PR or alumilite. Been there done that Alumilite will flex and when the parts are pressed in seperation will accur causeing an ugly fogging. This will happen also if you squeez your bushings too tight. It can be a costly time comsuming fusterating learning process. Do a lot of sreaching and reading in the casting forum.
Good Luck
Bruce
 
Top Bottom