Information about Fordite needed

[BULLWINKLE]

Anyone know of a good (and reasonable) site for Fordite ? I really like how it looks. I've seen a few online sites have it but VERY expensive. Second, I've never drilled and turned it before. I would think it is fragile. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks !

 

[pssherman]

Automotive Fordite is a byproduct of the painting process using sprayed enamel(?) paints. Since the automotive industry has switched to powder-coat paints, Fordite is no longer being produced and is getting harder to find. I make shop-made fordite using powder-coat paints that are epoxy-based and baked at 400F. It is hard but not too brittle, I have made 3 pens from it and didn't have any problems with drilling or turning them. It is made of 50-70 layers of paint and a block of 7 blanks takes all day to make since each layer must be heated and flowed out before the next layer can be applied.

 

[woodwzrd]

Reasonable pricing depends largely on your definition of the term. While Fordite is getting more scarce it is still widely available if you are willing to pay for it. I have a little bit of a fordite stash and would be willing to sell a few more pieces.

As far as workability, yes it can be brittle and you really have to pay attention to it as you are working it. I drill slow and give it plenty of time to cool. For working it down, many people tend to only sand it. I like to insert my bushings into the tubes and round it off on the belt sander then work it down with a sharp carbide and very light cuts. I watch for the layers to start chipping then flood it with thin CA to to try to avoid delamination on the layer lines. Typically if you have a failure it will come apart or flake on a layer line. Most people that turn Fordite have a love hate relationship with with it. It can be miserable and frustrating to work with but the reward far out weighs the frustration.

 

[BULLWINKLE]

It's a beautiful material. I'm just not certain I want to go to the trouble after reading y'all's posts. Sounds very time consuming. Thanks for the information.

 

[Darios]

I watch for the layers to start chipping then flood it with thin CA to to try to avoid delamination on the layer lines. Typically if you have a failure it will come apart or flake on a layer line.

And that was a detail that I was looking for. Do you finish with an overall CA coat?

 

[woodwzrd]

And that was a detail that I was looking for. Do you finish with an overall CA coat?

Yes I do finish with CA, just as I would a wood or hybrid blank.