Nothing special...I can turn inlace/Acrylester all day..once the bane of my turning. I even like the way it smells. Gift for a co-worker (when i take off my mask of course ).
Very nice Tony, I like that color a lot. Kudos for mastering the toughest blank I've worked with yet. I've blown up a couple IA handle blanks - not a cheap thing to do - and have had my share of trouble with the pen blanks.
Jay: My "luck" changed when I started using Rick's sanding jig and learning how to use and sharpen HSS gouges and skews. It's been over 3 years since I blew an inlace blank and I am definitely no master. I couldn't achieve the consistency with a carbide barrel trimmer and carbide tools: others can, I could not.
I will also sharpen/hone (CBN 360 and 600 grit stone) my tools 4 or 5 times per barrel, no matter which material I am using.
Now that I think about it, my blowouts were always with carbide tools too. I may have to revisit them since it's gotten too cool to cast my own - I only cast when it's above 70 degrees. I like the Peacock and Ocean Mist blanks a lot. And still have the pieces to prove it.
When I bought my first IA blanks at WoodTurningz in Indy, they asked if I had turned it before. They told me not to touch it with carbide or I would have nothing but problems. HSS skew or gouge held at a cutting angle, no scraping or planing.