Aluminum Pens

[mrplace]

I just turned by first aluminum pen today in a Baron kit. I have a mirror finish on it and am very happy with the way it has turned out so far. My question is what do I put on the outside so it will keep its mirror finish?

Is there anything short of powder coating I can use?

 

[ctEaglesc]

What do gear heads put on their fancy aluminum stuff?
PCing would be the best.
Short of that, lacquer?

 

[bca1313]

What did you use as a tool when you turned the aluminum?

 

[smoky10]

BCA, you use your woodturning tools. As far as keeping the shine on the alum. you can use a polish like Mothers or just rub it with a soft cloth.[] Mothers polish can be bought at auto parts stores.

 

[mrplace]

I have a hamlet scraper that I converted to cut the aluminum. It is still a slow process, and wear gloves for sure.

Afterward I sanded to 600 and then used buff wheels with black emry, red rouge and white diamond.

I was thinking car wax, but I would bet it has to be reapplied often.

 

[Paul in OKC]

Have it clear anodized.

 

[twoofakind]

Something I thought of trying also was Zoop seal. I remember being at a car show and they say you clean the aluminum with it and the "seal" the shine with their product and it lasts outside in the weather for about a year. The only downside is the cost. If I remember correctly it was about $80.00, but if you turn alot of aluminum it may be worth it in the long run.
Andy

 

[samuel07]

What speed did you turn it at and where do you get the aluminum? Any specific grade better than others?

Sounds very interesting.

 

[Paul in OKC]

6061 is a good grade. Some are soft and gummy. MSC has some in their catalog. You can get it in 3' lengths. Check to see if there is a metal supplier in your are. I have a Metal Supermarket close to me, and they will cut as little or as much as you want.

 

[samuel07]

Thanks,
I found some in a Mcmaster Carr catalog (mcmaster.com pg3427). A 6 foot piece of 5/8 round is only $13.61. Can I really turn these with regular wood cutting tools? Also , do you need to glue in a tube or just drill a 1/4 hole for say a slimline?

Thanks

 

[Fangar]

I think Paul's recommendation for Clear anodizing is the best. Clear PCing in my opinion turns the aluminum sort of a creamy color. It doesn't do this with brass, just the alminum for some reason. I have done it many times and still do. If you are looking to keep the high gloss shine though, you likely won't like the PC.

Fangar

 

[mrplace]

Samuel

Yes regular tools will work for aluminum. But I would suggest getting one you wont mind damaging. You dont have to glue tubes, as you say you could drill 1/4" for a slimline. I used tubes because I didnt have the drills for the baron kit without the tubes.

Read the aluminum pen tutorial, it has some good information. Do use a thick tool if you can.

 

[Paul in OKC]

Originally posted by samuel07
<br />Thanks,
I found some in a Mcmaster Carr catalog (mcmaster.com pg3427). A 6 foot piece of 5/8 round is only $13.61. Can I really turn these with regular wood cutting tools? Also , do you need to glue in a tube or just drill a 1/4 hole for say a slimline?

Thanks

Use a letter 'D' drill. It is .246 diameter. A .250 will work, but might be a little loose on the parts.

 

[btboone]

It is pretty tough to drill the holes perfect enough to press the mechanisms in, especially in deep holes. The holes tend to get wallowed out a bit. I usually drill one a few thousandths undersized and sneak up to the correct diameter with a drill used as a reamer. Use slow rpms and fast feed to keep it from chattering.

 

[samuel07]

What size stock did you use. I was thinking of getting 5/8 but could I get away with something smaller?

 

[joeatact]

Heres a link to a pdf on how I made my aluminum pen

http://tinyurl.com/r4v8d

 

[mrplace]

Samuel, I used 3/4" round, but I made a baron so that took up alot of space.

Joe, I downloaded the PDF twice and both times it says it is a corrupt/damaged file.

 

[joeatact]

Try it from my site www.joespens.com