Need a substrate to wrap brass tubes with....

[redfishsc]

I have a couple of materials that I'd like to cast into resin, but they are items that are metal and stone (can't disclose it yet) so I can't just mix them in resin, drill, glue, and turn.

I need to hide/wrap the brass tube with a solid-color material and then CA glue these very small, thin items (the size of ants) to the substrate, THEN cast in solid clear and turn the clear resin, being careful not to turn too slim and cut into the lil thingies.

I've thought about black cloth or dark construction paper, and I can glue such things to the tube using CA glue like they do with snakeskins.

Do fabrics and colored papers bleed their color into the PR?

 

[Monty]

Would paint or powder coating the tubes work????

 

[Modelmaker]

not usually, that would depend alot on the material you use. I would suggest using a cotton fabric, get a bandana from hobby lobby (they're only 87 cents ea) and use one of those.

 

[redfishsc]

Thanks for the advice Kris.

Bandanas are a great idea--- I just hope they don't prove too thin and show the brass tubes.

 

[Mudder]

I've had no luck with paper. I have never used fabric except to make a denim pen and it worked fine. Might I suggest you find someone who can powder coat the tubes or get some of the brass ager from MLK Woodworking and give that a try. I have used both with very good success. Another option might be to cast a thin layer of colored PR and turn and polish it before gluing on your small items but that seems like a lot of work.

 

[Modelmaker]

if it's too thin do two layers.
If you want someone to powder coat, let me know.

 

[Chuck Key]

If you need black, chrome or white check these out. I have been using them for a while with great results

http://woodcraft.com/family.aspx?familyid=20993

Available for several pen styles.

Chuckie

PS

Here is a photo of the BL NI tubes for Wall Street II:

 

[denaucoin]

I just used sharpies of the appropriate color, to color the tube, and it did not show through the acrylic as the brass used to.

 

[redfishsc]

Thanks for the suggestions-- all of them are helpful.

Chuck, I had not thought of using the plated pen tubes, I know CSA also has a good selection of them also. That might be the ticket.

 

[BigShed]

I have been doing some pens with fairly transparent blanks and in the past have sprayed the tubes with an aerosol paint can. Although I haven't had any failures (yet?) I have been suspicious of this approach.

My wife does leadlight with the copper foil method and uses black patina to make the copper foil look more like lead.

It occurred to me that this black patina could work on the brass tubes we use for the pens.

Tried it yesterday and it works like a charm! Just make sure that the tubes are sanded and thoroughly cleaned (with DNA) before dipping them in to the black patina. They come up a deep charcoal colour, with a satin finish.

This is the type of product I am talking about:

http://www.warner-criv.com/product.aspx?id=4330-06

 

[redfishsc]

Bigshed, there was a thread on the same concept a while back that I believe some folks are using.

For colored blanks, it's THE TRICK[8D]!

However, on mine, the material will be crystal clear and it needs to look good.



HEY--- I just thought of something.

Is carbon fiber (the black checkered-type) available in cloth form? Or is there a cloth that looks like carbon fiber? That would be the perfect wrap!

 

[Modelmaker]

yes it is available in cloth form try here
http://www.fibreglast.com/showproducts-category-Carbon+Fiber+(Graphite)+Fabrics+&+Tapes-15.html

I've dealt with this company for work and they have pretty decent service

 

[redfishsc]

THANKS Modelmaker-- that looks like my chicken!