This was a kit from Craftsupply- it was very chippy when turning. I filled the pits with med. CA and sanded so there are flaws but too expensive to pitch.
Sorry you had a problem. I have turned many of these with no problems. Sharp sharp tools may be the key here. Don't give up on them. I have sold everyone I have turned.
I have had the same problem with some of the circuit board kits. My observation has had more to do with temperature than anything else. When it is just a little bit cool, the blanks tend to chip worse. When I put my light closer and keep the blank warmer they turn really well.
Then pen looks great! I'll second the "don't give up" comment as I have had good luck with the circuit pens too!
Tools were very sharp-- light cuts --- very light! But it was cold in the shop.
Before applying the CA it looked like a row or two of shallow pits all the way around the blank. They (pits) did not appear until the blank was near completion -- yes I did resharpen did not help.
I'm not saying they were not sharp or you did anything wrong. My experience is I get those "spiral" pits when I go too fast, too agressive, tools too dull, or very sharp tools used incorrectly. YMMV
Sorry you had a problem. I have turned many of these with no problems. Sharp sharp tools may be the key here. Don't give up on them. I have sold everyone I have turned.
And if you do it again they can be recast. They are made with P.R. so you can recast the blank. I have fixed a few when I used to offer them. So if you happen to bugger one up in the future don't throw it away it can be recast. CA works for small chips but it wont work on something big. The trick is sharp tool such as a skew with a more scraping action high speed and very light cuts. If you start getting chips that is nothing but trouble.