How to fix this?

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Woodchipper

Woodchipper

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Joined
Mar 15, 2017
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Cleveland, TN
This is from a Breast Cancer pen from PSI. The upper part is to be turned down on one end to 0.408. OK, as usual, I used a 3/4" SRG and got down to the 0.408. Obviously, I got a signal that all wasn't kosher. Took it off the lathe and found this tiny chip. OK, I can turn it down to the tube and start over but don't have enough material to match the other part. I checked and the chip can be under the clip. Drawing on the experience of the members, what suggestions do you have? Any way to fill it in with CA and some white dust?
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Do you have a small piece or chunk of the blank left? Maybe a small piece from trimming excess off or something?

Sand that piece with 220 or 320, putt the blank on on the lathe on finishing bushings, fill/pack the hole with powder and then soak it pretty good with ultra thin CA. You might have to do it a couple times if the CA floats some of the powder. Once it's filled and the CA is set you can square the end & turn it back to the diameter you need. Just be careful turning it.

I've found that using the finishing bushings keeps the CA out of the center of the tube and I don't wind up with a blank stuck to my steel bushing.

If it's a small spot you may not be able to find it after you fix it because you'll fill it with the same color and type of material.
 
Thanks and will see what will work. As I mentioned, I was using Ye Olde SRG. Got an idea that might solve any problems with the other two pens. Had one blank that was out of round. I put the blank on the 60 degree live center and a 60 degree securing finial as noted on the box. Can't read the Chinese. I used a 3/4 inch skew as a scraper. Assembled the pen and the parts mate perfectly. Will use the skew for final turning to dimensions according to the pen parts.
 
Let's think why you had a chip out. Due to blank not being fully being attached to brass tube a void in the glue,Epoxy or CA is by far the most reason other that turning from the end to center. So what I have done for several years of turning blanks that require a very thin wall between the tube finished blank. After squaring up the blank I take and plug tubes and put a thin coat of CA around the tube and blank end that will help fill and void between the tube and. blank.
Other have offered good idea's for salvage.
 
I'd mix up some baking soda and red or pjnk neon food dye. Dry the baking soda and dye in the oven, maybe around 150 or so. Then, fill the end of the tube with some playdough. Hold the tube at an angle and fill the small voids with the baking soda mixture. Then, drop a drop of super thin ca on the mixture. It will instantly cure and turn extremely hard. Continue to build up the area with micro amounts of baking soda and ca. Once you have it filled and proud of the original blank, you can sand it down and then repolish it. The patch won't be perfect, but hidden behind the clip, it wont be noticeable.
 
Dieseldoc said:
Let's think why you had a chip out. Due to blank not being fully being attached to brass tube a void in the glue,Epoxy or CA is by far the most reason other that turning from the end to center. So what I have done for several years of turning blanks that require a very thin wall between the tube finished blank. After squaring up the blank I take and plug tubes and put a thin coat of CA around the tube and blank end that will help fill and void between the tube and. blank.
Other have offered good idea's for salvage.
Click to expand...
Never had one with a thin wall like this. Even Slimlines have more material at the end of the tube.
 
Depending on the pen kit, if you choose some of the fill options you can always cover the area with the pen clip.
 
I have a box of odds & ends of cutoffs from blanks. Glory be! I have a piece of the blank. Will set this aside pen and finish the other two pens. Will be very conscious of making sure the glue covers the ends. Will use my 3/4 inch skew as a scraper, light cuts, measure and scrape a bit more if needed.
Dieseldoc, will keep your method on the mental file.
 
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