Good eyes, checked the label on another blank. It is an inlace acrylester. I have an Easy Wood Tools carbide set, square, round, and detail. Was using the square to start. Maybe the round would work.Hi Mike,
From the photos it looks like you are turning polyester and not acrylic.
Acrylic is very impact resistant, and can be turned easily.
Polyester, acrylester, or rhino are made from a material that shines up so well, but is fragile when turning.
I would recommend using a negative rake carbide bit, or negative rake scraper. That should allow you to clean that up.
Thanks for the reply, I'll get a neg rake tip. My first time on Acrylester, thought I had acrylic.Yes! That looks exactly like Inlace Acrylester. In my experience it is one of the most brittle therefore difficult materials to turn. A sharp tool and light cuts - a round carbide might help as it exposes less cutter surface area to the blank and a negative rake if you have one. I've had the best luck cutting these at the highest speed my lathe will go. If you still get major chips you might try sanding it down to the final dimensions.
Inlace Acrylester is a polyester resin based material. I think Rhino is polyester also, but perhaps with different additives and/or percentages of hardeners that affect the brittleness.
I think the easiest to turn, but more expensive are they urethane based blanks, like Alumilite. I have been very impressed with the Diamond Cast blanks that Tim McKenzie makes.
Although Inlace Acrylester is a tough material to turn, it polishes great and makes great looking pens. I don't turn it very often anymore and opt for Rhino blanks instead as they are a little less brittle - still at the high end though.
And of course, the best of luck to you! - Dave
Thanks! I'll get the insert, didn't realize this was not reg acrylic blank. First experience with Acrylester.You'll want a negative rake insert, it comes in many shapes. But the negative take will prevent you from catching an edge.
Possible compatible source
Negative rake | mysite
www.ncwoodturningtools.com
Here is a link to the help sheet .pdf file for working with inlace acrylester from the owner of the trademarked material, WoodTurningz. Link: Working with Inlace Acrylester.Thanks for the reply, I'll get a neg rake tip. My first time on Acrylester, thought I had acrylic.
Hmm, the simplest things I don't thing of.If you turn your carbide tool upside down and cut at an angle above center it works just like a negative rake cutter
You still need to show caution with a negative rake carbide. I tip mine in a diagonal and take careful light passes. BE SURE the tool is firmly on the toolrest.Thanks for the reply, I'll get a neg rake tip. My first time on Acrylester, thought I had acrylic.
Ya, think this will be my first.....and last.Hmm, the simplest things I don't thing of.
Everybody covered the bases on this, but I would just add that you cannot be aggressive with these blanks, no matter what cutter you use or how sharp it is. I typically use a 2" radiused carbide cutter, but don't turn many of these (not because of the brittleness, but because of the smell).
Appreciate the link.Here is a link to the help sheet .pdf file for working with inlace acrylester from the owner of the trademarked material, WoodTurningz. Link: Working with Inlace Acrylester.
Dave
Yep, sure did. The learning curve continues....One sure sign that the turning is not going well is that you see what appears to be dust coming off your blank and not ribbons of material. Based on the picture of your blank, I bet you saw some of that....