Not happy with my finishing

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dwasson

Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2006
Messages
26
Location
MI, USA.
I have been reading IAP for some time and have learned a lot from all of you, thank you. I have a question that I hope you can help me with. I am not happy with my finish on light colored pens. I have only been turning pens since Thanksgiving, and am totally hooked.

My finish routine goes like this.....sand 150, 240, 320 & 400 turning off the lathe between each grit and straight sanding to remove any marks. Then I move through the MM going up to 12000, stopping the lathe and straight sanding between each grit here as well.

I then finish with 5-6 coats of thin CA. I get a great smooth finish. My problem is when I am doing a pen with light colored wood I get dark "schmutz" in the grain. It looks like dark sanding dust. I have tried wiping the dust off between each grit of sanding, but it doesn't make any difference.

Should I be using anything besides a dry cloth to wipe the blank down between each grit? Any suggestions would be great appreciated.

Dan
 
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The dust is probably from the bushings. I use delrin bushings that I made for all my sanding and finishing. You can make your own bushings for sanding by buying some delrin rod, cut it into sections, drill it to fit the mandrel and then just turn it down to size. I use a scraper and it turns very easy.
 
Is it metal dust from the bushings, that usually shows up with the finer grits? With wood I never sand beyond 600 grit and usually stop at 400. Save your MM for polishing the finish. Try putting the blank between centers for your sanding that will eliminate the marks if caused by the bushings.
 
Exactly what Dale says, get or make some Delrin/Acetal bushings for sanding and applying CA, www.penturnersproducts.com has a system that is great John calls it the eliminator 805 system. Here is a link to the system it's a dream come true for turners
http://penturnersproducts.com/index...15&products_id=166&zenid=7565eb68c6af522d210d
I don't get any commission and no financial involvement, but John is a great person to deal with and always has the best toys in the box to play with, did I mention he's a super guy to deal with.
 
Hi Dan You will get all kinds of different ways to do this but this is mine. I think you are starting with too coarse of a grit. Usually 320 is good to start with. I do not have the bushings on at this point. Just between centers. Using light pressure with each grit up too 800 for me. I stop then and wipe with DNA. Then the CA method of your choose. Sounds like you are getting bushing grit on the wood. If you are using a mandrel Johnnycnc is selling a good looking item called Eliminator 805 Deluxe Package (finishing bushings) Hope this helps
 
As usual, you guys are great. I have paid a visit to JohnnyCNC, waiting for a delivery from the mail man.

Thanks for your help.

Dan
 
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