ToddMR
Member
So I got this diplomat kit from exoticblanks.com and was all ready to try it out last night. I got a freebie of spaulted stabilized pecan. I used part of it and all was going great then *CHUNK* the end tore off. SO I had another piece. I started getting it ready then when I was turning the darn thing kept stopping on the lathe I couldn't figure what was up. Then I realize, the brass tube was spinning inside. Fine....sigh.....So I take it off to re-glue, I put the tube in with glue and it totally stops with about 1/4 of the brass still hanging out. I tried my normal method of just tapping down with the rubber mallet which did not work. So I trimmed off the brass and the other end to the brass. I got it all turned fine, but of course it was too short. So then I go out today and had to hit Woodcraft then Woodwerks to get a couple replacement tubes. I then decided to use the smokey taupe acrylic from exoticblanks, again, everything is going fine, and I sharpened my tools before I started. Just as I am making progress *CHUNK* darnit! (I used quite more colorful metaphors than that).
Ok so I am down to 1 more try on the smokey taupe before I give up for the day. This time I went REALLY slow on using my tools. It took me a considerable amount of time and there were some chip outs, but I simply took my gouge and worked the area until it was worked out. The final product I was happy with and is now my daily carry. I REALLY like the taupe. I think I could have been thinner on the main body, but I think I like the diplomat kit. I wasn't sure when I saw pics all the time of it. Now I know, I do like it. This is the gunmetal chrome kit I got off exoticblanks website.
Thanks for looking! My wife said had this one chunked out on me too, my lathe would be dead. I told her, "no, that wouldn't happen." I might have thrown the blank but no one hurts my baby lol. Sorry for the long post just wanted to give the whole story.
So after thinking more about it last night and reading I went ahead and reworked this piece. Big difference in the thickness of the body. I think it does look better. I think I could have slimmed it down more, but am happy all the same. Andy thanks for the tip on dipping in water. That really helped. I have seen my buddy do that sometimes as well. That made a huge difference. I did re-sharpen my rouge this morning and barely was touching the piece while working it. Slow and steady that's what I am learning is especially true with acrylics. I MM twice, wiped down with dna, and then use plasti-polish to shine. I was kind of torn on either having the thicker part up top or bottom. I kept flipping and decided to put it near the bottom. Thanks again everyone!
Ok so I am down to 1 more try on the smokey taupe before I give up for the day. This time I went REALLY slow on using my tools. It took me a considerable amount of time and there were some chip outs, but I simply took my gouge and worked the area until it was worked out. The final product I was happy with and is now my daily carry. I REALLY like the taupe. I think I could have been thinner on the main body, but I think I like the diplomat kit. I wasn't sure when I saw pics all the time of it. Now I know, I do like it. This is the gunmetal chrome kit I got off exoticblanks website.
Thanks for looking! My wife said had this one chunked out on me too, my lathe would be dead. I told her, "no, that wouldn't happen." I might have thrown the blank but no one hurts my baby lol. Sorry for the long post just wanted to give the whole story.
So after thinking more about it last night and reading I went ahead and reworked this piece. Big difference in the thickness of the body. I think it does look better. I think I could have slimmed it down more, but am happy all the same. Andy thanks for the tip on dipping in water. That really helped. I have seen my buddy do that sometimes as well. That made a huge difference. I did re-sharpen my rouge this morning and barely was touching the piece while working it. Slow and steady that's what I am learning is especially true with acrylics. I MM twice, wiped down with dna, and then use plasti-polish to shine. I was kind of torn on either having the thicker part up top or bottom. I kept flipping and decided to put it near the bottom. Thanks again everyone!
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