making blanks nice and square

[mywoodshopca]

Whats the best method for making alumilite blanks "pretty"?

I currently use the bandsaw for cutting them up, but would like to take them to the next level of neatness.

Planer? Joiner?

Any special jig recommenations?

Thanks!

 

[zeewhatizaw]

Why?? are you going to sell them?

 

[mywoodshopca]

Why?? are you going to sell them?

Some of them hopefully.. some others will be used to collect dust. :biggrin: But hey, its easier to see what wood and look I am working with when they are not encased in colored alumilite :biggrin:

 

[Larry in Harrow]

Hi Jason,

Your package arrived today, look great. As a hand tool neandertal I passed a block plane over one of them to see if it will do what you want.

Both forward faces were rough cut with your bandsaw. The one on the left is as received and the one on the right was tortured with a couple passes with a low angel block plane. Using a shooting board the blanks could easily be squared accurately if desired.
Is this what you were looking for?

 

[mywoodshopca]

Thanks Larry! I will dig out one of my block planes out as well and try on one of the newer type of blanks.

Glad they arrived quickly!

I only have a 3 tooth resaw blade in my bandsaw so it dont make these look too pretty lol

 

[Manny]

I use a 5" hook and loop sanding wheel with 120 - 400 sandpaper and 1500 - 12000 micro mesh

I don't sell my blanks unless asked but I like to see them sparkle when I take them off the shelf or give them away.

Manny

 

[bitshird]

I just bought a Jointer/Planer for squaring up stock, Partially for doing inside out turnings and inlay on pen blanks.

 

[MesquiteMan]

Please don't use a jointer for pen blank sized pieces. They are just too small to control.

 

[Russianwolf]

drum sander might work, but I'd just use my stationary belt sander.

Less chance of chipping the blanks, and more control. As Curtis said, small pieces on a jointer/planer are a bad idea.

 

[rjwolfe3]

Please don't use a jointer for pen blank sized pieces. They are just too small to control.

Good thing I saw this post, I was going to get one just for that reason. So would a belt sander be safer?

 

[Texatdurango]

After casting a batch and cutting them up I usually turn one round just to see a sample then stick it on the shelf for reference. If the customers don't mind getting a round blank you could quickly turn them to a 3/4" cylinder. That way they would get a really good idea of what they were getting.

I have also found that cutting them on the table saw with a nice carbide tipped blade makes for some nice smooth surfaces.

 

[mywoodshopca]

Well, I made a quick little jig for holding the blank on the jointer before I saw curtis's post. Worked really nice and kept my hands far away. It held the blank nice and tight with no chance of it going anywhere. I can post a picture later if needed.

The blanks I needed to clean up are nice and smooth now.

 

[fernhills]

Why not use a better BS blade. Carl

 

[mywoodshopca]

Why not use a better BS blade. Carl

I use the BS for mostly resawing larger lumber, be too awkward to keep changing the blades

 

[Karin Voorhis]

Well, I made a quick little jig for holding the blank on the jointer before I saw curtis's post. Worked really nice and kept my hands far away. It held the blank nice and tight with no chance of it going anywhere. I can post a picture later if needed.

The blanks I needed to clean up are nice and smooth now.

Just because I would love to see picture...