How do I turn Fordite?

[Ray-CA]

I am about to start my first Fordite pen and am not sure how to turn it. There are two different methods that I have heard. First, high speed, shallow/light/sharp passes on rounded over blanks. Or, skip the tools and just sand it round. Is there a best method?

Thanks,

Ray

 

[cl1237]

Is it a full stick of fordite or a cast hybrid? I turned a fordite hybrid and the blank maker told me to sand round, turn at high speed, light cuts with a negative rake and stabilize with thin CA often. I had a major chip out an the end of the blank on the first few passes, but still had enough material to work with. Other than than I didn't have any issues

 

[Ray-CA]

It's a full stick.....I hope to make a pair of gear shift pens so it will be cut into two Sierra length blanks.

Ray

 

[Finatic]

I had good luck with sanding only. I didn't want to blow up a 40$ blank.

 

[SpiritRider]

I started by covering the sides with ca thin to seal as much as possible before sanding and then used negative rake

 

[Dvoigt]

Sharp tools, light cuts, thin CA soak ever so often.
I have about a 1 of 10 failure rate where a blank blow up, and usually you can file the chunk back in place so it isn't a total loss.

 

[Ray-CA]

Here is how they turned out....(one photo with flash and one without)

 

[Dvoigt]

Looks great!

 

[KMCloonan]

A friend gave me two Fordite blanks, and I have been reluctant to work on them yet. This thread has given me the inspiration. Stay Tuned.