Cracked Cocobolo pen blank

[Wood Knot]

I have a Cocobolo pen blank that has a few cracks in it, I don't want to throw it away, I'm wondering if I can use thin ca glue in the crack and then put it in a vice until the glue dries.

 

[Woodchipper]

Watching this thread for future reference.

 

[d_bondi]

I think the biggest challenge will be to get it drilled without splitting.

Can you make a single tube pen and use the other end of the blank?

 

[Wood Knot]

I think the biggest challenge will be to get it drilled without splitting.

Can you make a single tube pen and use the other end of the blank?

It actually has a few hairline cracks on the other end as well.

I'm not really out anything if I can't use it, the company that sent to me sent me a replacement, I just hated to throw it away.

 

[mdburn_em]

If I had a blank like that, I would put some gloves on and get out the CA glue. I would probably use medium if that will flow into the crack. I would probably try to use a trigger clamp on this vs a vise but a vise might work for you. Glue it, clamp it and spray it. See if that will hold. You might have to make a couple attempts. The next thing I would do is wrap it very tightly in twine. Then I would flood the twine with CA. I want a strong outer bond holding that together. This should allow me to cut and drill the blank.

After it's drilled then it's off to the lathe and see if I can turn it without it blowing apart. I would not use a carbide tool on it.

 

[Wood Knot]

If I had a blank like that, I would put some gloves on and get out the CA glue. I would probably use medium if that will flow into the crack. I would probably try to use a trigger clamp on this vs a vise but a vise might work for you. Glue it, clamp it and spray it. See if that will hold. You might have to make a couple attempts. The next thing I would do is wrap it very tightly in twine. Then I would flood the twine with CA. I want a strong outer bond holding that together. This should allow me to cut and drill the blank.

After it's drilled then it's off to the lathe and see if I can turn it without it blowing apart. I would not use a carbide tool on it.

Thanks that's a good idea.

 

[GaryMGg]

The blank is likely to have more internal checking given the several visible ones.

Coco is oily and you typically want to clean it with acetone before gluing or finishing.

Since you've got a replacement coming, you might want to pouring a little acetone in the cracks and letting it completely dry.
Then, try filling the cracks with CA and a turquoise looking compound. Let it dry and completely cure. Try drilling, using a sharp bit going slowly.
If it holds together, try making a pen.

 

[Wood Knot]

The blank is likely to have more internal checking given the several visible ones.

Coco is oily and you typically want to clean it with acetone before gluing or finishing.

Since you've got a replacement coming, you might want to pouring a little acetone in the cracks and letting it completely dry.
Then, try filling the cracks with CA and a turquoise looking compound. Let it dry and completely cure. Try drilling, using a sharp bit going slowly.
If it holds together, try making a pen.

 

[Wood Knot]

I do have some turquoise powder, that might interesting.

 

[bsshog40]

Wouldn't be worth the chance of possibly getting hurt by flying wood to me.