I could use help with coffee bean blank

[CaptG]

LOML saw a picture of a coffee bean pen and said she would like one. I made six blanks using Alumilite and coffee beans. Look just like the ones in the pictures. OK, how do you keep the beans from flying out or turning to dust while turning? I have tried different tools, all very sharp, changed speeds, tried sanding and that just turned the white alumilite brown. Do the beans need to be treated before casting? A special bean maybe? I am ready to pour some more blanks, but decided to ask if I am missing something. Shop smells good tho. Thanks.

 

[MesquiteMan]

Soak it with thin CA as you go would be my method. I have never made or turned a coffee bean blank, though.

 

[Texatdurango]

Gary, I've cast a few dozen blanks and turned a dozen or so and I do two things that I think help. First, I soak the beans in lacquer thinner then dry thoroughly before casting to get rid of most of the oil on/in the beans. Then as Curtis mentioned, I stop every little bit and squirt a little thin CA over the blank and let the beans soak it up. Once turned I do a CA finish on the whole pen as if it were wood.

 

[CaptG]

Thanks guys. I got beans in the lacquer thinner and the ca is ready. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[TomW]

There was a posting here somewhere where the user stabilized the beans in ultraseal. May be overkill, but sounds interesting. Anyone got a good recipe for turning the alumilite sort a cream/ivory color?

Tom

 

[Texatdurango]

There was a posting here somewhere where the user stabilized the beans in ultraseal. May be overkill, but sounds interesting. Anyone got a good recipe for turning the alumilite sort a cream/ivory color?

Tom

Yeah, use the "regular" alumilite which many refer to as "almond". But be forwarned, it sets up the fastest of all the alumilite resins.

 

[workinforwood]

I know I can't help you Gary..I still can't get the corkscrew pasta to spin without blowing up!

 

[wdcav1952]

I know I can't help you Gary..I still can't get the corkscrew pasta to spin without blowing up!

Jeff,

Don't cook the pasta before you thread it on the mandrel. :tongue: