Acrylic Blanks Part 2

[mmayo]

Other parts of this series: Part 1

Now that I drilled the acrylic blanks it is time to continue.

First step is roughing up the tubes. Intelligent people will tell you not to do this BUT I do every time with every pen. The first photo shows a brand new pen tube with two shop made 3D printed sanding bushings. I use these to avoid flaring the tube ends with a live center and dead center. They fit the inside perfectly. Put the bushing/tube/bushing sandwich on the lathe between live and dead centers. The last photo is the tube after 220 grit sanding at 800 rpm's for a few seconds. You can use 80-400, but I like 220 or more coarse.

Second step is plugging one end of the tube. I use dental base wax available from EBay. Keep the white paper under the wax as you plug the ends. Last photo of this group shows all the tubes with the top end plugged ready for painting.

The third part of this phase is painting tube outside of the sanded tubes with spray paint. Visit Home Depot and buy some flat white spray. Shake plenty!!! It snowed here, but I painted outside the shop anyway. Make them fairly covered but don't get drips.

Dust off that Testor's model paint. Get a few q-tips, gloves and paper towels. I try to typically use lighter versions of the blank's color for painting inside the tube. White for everything has proven less successful for me. I select darker colors to darken the blank, even black. Be creative, but remember what worked. I group the blank colors together and start painting the groups using the q-tip. Smooth is best here. Last photo shows the painted blanks.

Now wait overnight. Don't rush the drying time.

 

[sorcerertd]

I'm guessing that, even with scuffing the blanks, you make sure the fit is loose enough to not scrape the paint off the blank? I've had problems in that department and it's quite frustrating.

 

[Hartwell85]

I found that painting only the inside of the blank is sufficient. I don't use the 2X paint because the paint film is too thick. Hold the nozzle close to the hole at an angle and use short bursts. Rotate the blank 180 degrees and spray again. Wait a few seconds for the paint to run toward the opposite end. Lay the blank on its side and rotate every 10-15 seconds to prevent pooling of the film. After 1-2 minutes the paint film should be stable. On long blanks, you may need to spray paint from both ends.

 

[wolf creek knives]

I'm guessing that, even with scuffing the blanks, you make sure the fit is loose enough to not scrape the paint off the blank? I've had problems in that department and

I found that painting only the inside of the blank is sufficient. I don't use the 2X paint because the paint film is too thick. Hold the nozzle close to the hole at an angle and use short bursts. Rotate the blank 180 degrees and spray again. Wait a few seconds for the paint to run toward the opposite end. Lay the blank on its side and rotate every 10-15 seconds to prevent pooling of the film. After 1-2 minutes the paint film should be stable. On long blanks, you may need to spray paint from both ends.

I do the same but use a q-tip like a brush to coat the blank with the paint. I buy the cheap q-tips that I pick up at the dollar store, probably 500 count box for $1.25. No sales tax in Montana. I tried spraying but I ended up with more over spray than what got into the blank.

 

[Hartwell85]

I do the same but use a q-tip like a brush to coat the blank with the paint. I buy the cheap q-tips that I pick up at the dollar store, probably 500 count box for $1.25. No sales tax in Montana. I tried spraying but I ended up with more over spray than what got into the blank.

I've used both methods. Spray painting works well on larger diameter holes but not as well for small holes like 8mm.

 

[sorcerertd]

I really need to start using colors, too. My last couple hybrids came out disappointing with black or white. The blanks looked amazing before they got down close to the tube.

 

[Woodchipper]

Interesting information...again, thanks to mmayo. I'm getting back into pen making more now with the idea of selling them at a local craft venue. It's an old woolen mill that has converted to vendor spaces. An antique/craft publication had an article on it. The venue has celebrated it fourth year. Plus, they have some shows during the years. Christmas is a biggie.
FWIW, I have some white pre-painted 7mm tubes for Slimline kits. The past has seen the blanks turned thin and the glue shows up in a blatant manner.