ed4copies
Local Chapter Manager
Just for "Florida Marine"!!
Didn't want to take the other thread "off path", but I thought you would enjoy knowing that a celluloid blank really CAN "blow up" on the lathe.
Years ago, I bought a load of celluloid from a source that claimed it was a plant in France that "blew up", so they were selling their remaing blanks----yeah, right!!
So, I made several pens that went fine (5/8" material--shows it was long ago). One night I was turning one and knew the heat was building, but I turned up the speed and continued (although I knew I should sharpen--what the heck, I'm almost done!!)
All of a sudden, BLAM!!---pen material shrapnel!!
When I stopped the lathe, the brass tube was about 2/3 bare. the remainder was glued to the tube, but ripped.
No harm was done---well except my undies, but I know how to do laundry so no one knew!!!!
Another "early experience" in pen making--so, keep your tools sharp and keep it from getting "hot to the touch"!!
Enjoy!!
Didn't want to take the other thread "off path", but I thought you would enjoy knowing that a celluloid blank really CAN "blow up" on the lathe.
Years ago, I bought a load of celluloid from a source that claimed it was a plant in France that "blew up", so they were selling their remaing blanks----yeah, right!!
So, I made several pens that went fine (5/8" material--shows it was long ago). One night I was turning one and knew the heat was building, but I turned up the speed and continued (although I knew I should sharpen--what the heck, I'm almost done!!)
All of a sudden, BLAM!!---pen material shrapnel!!
When I stopped the lathe, the brass tube was about 2/3 bare. the remainder was glued to the tube, but ripped.
No harm was done---well except my undies, but I know how to do laundry so no one knew!!!!
Another "early experience" in pen making--so, keep your tools sharp and keep it from getting "hot to the touch"!!
Enjoy!!
