Coffee Grinds!

[U-Turn]

I tried my first Coffee Bean Blank and it was a disaster - very sharp tools and very careful turning However, got about 80% done and it exploded. I am pretty good at repairning blanks but no way on this one. Anyone have any suggestions (dont tell me not to turn on Friday the 13th).

 

[LanceD]

You'd probably get more replies if you'd post your question in the Penturning category instead of Marketing and Shows.

 

[alphageek]

Lots of CA. Thats the best thing I can say - still a tough thing some times and you need sharp tools.

 

[DurocShark]

Coffee bean blanks are one of the places I use Gorilla glue instead of epoxy. The expanding glue seems to help protect me from myself.

 

[workinforwood]

Those are always a challenge. That's why I use coffee grounds in my coffee blanks instead of the beans. Makes for a much easier blank to spin and the effect can be equal since it includes a real coffee cup with real coffee in it, so nobody questions what it is!

 

[Dave Turner]

I used a carbide tipped tool (EasyRougher) with a light touch and only had minimal chipout on a few beans that I could easily repair with CA and coffee grounds. I did coat the blank with thin CA when I was getting close to my final size.

 

[MartinPens]

I turn them thick, apply thin CA, then use sandpaper to get it down to bushing dimensions. If the CA doesn't penetrate - then sand it down some and then put more thin CA on.

Also, in the beginning, after drilling the hole - soak the inside with thin CA. After drying use a piece of sandpaper in the drilled out hole to get rid of any CA that might prevent the tube from inserting. A combo of this should do you right. My next one will first be stabilized. Some blanks are cast and then stabilized by certain sellers, but I don't remember who.

Good luck

Martin

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner