StatProf
Member
When using aluminum in your segmenting (like VisExp), you y'all use just an aluminum can, siding from the local Home Improvement Center or something else?
Thanks,
StatProf
Thanks,
StatProf
I've used both. However depending on the design and how the aluminum "exits" the blank there is a possibility that you can see the red label of the coke can. After making a pen where that happened I just started using plain aluminum. Obviously it is more expensive but after spending a couple of hours making a blank it sucks to turn it into a pen and see bits of red.
I always see people worry about the red ink from the coke can showing on an angled segment.
I haven't tried this yet, but... why not use a silver color can?? like diet 7up, etc. No red ink= no worries about it showing. AFAIK the cans are made exactly the same way, just different labeling.
Well there you go again, thinking outside of the box :biggrin:
I just thought I should add, as well as the label issue one of the main reasons I don't use soda cans is because of the thickness of the aluminum. For most of the designs I make, where I am cutting through a previous inlay a number of times, it is very important to match the thickness of the blade kerf to the thickness of the inlay material. If you don't then basically you are putting back into the blank a different thickness to what you have just taken out so the blank will grow or shrink by that difference.
Not an issue if you are only cutting through a previous inlay once but if you are cutting through a previous inlay a number of times then the joints will start to stagger. Soda can is about 0.007" thick. The thinnest blade I have found is 0.011" thick. That difference of 0.004" starts to add up and can be seen.
The pen pictured sits on my desk and is the last time I used soda can for an inlay