Resin, Delrin, or Ebonite?

[dschem]

I'd like to make a wood fountain pen with a black accent and sleeve on the inside. I know that people will use various materials to accomplish this. Would someone mind sharing with me the pros and cons of materials, like resin, Delrin, and ebonite?

Also, the section will be made out of the same material.

 

[d_bondi]

I personally prefer and use ebonite. Ebonite is a traditional pen material. One reason is that it feels warmer to the touch than resins, I find that it machines very well.

I have used Alumilite resin blanks for this same purpose and it also works very well.

I have not used Delrin, but I think you will find that of the three you listed, it is the most difficult to get a bond with, so keep that in mind if you try it. I'm not sure I would want/enjoy a section made from Delrin.

FYI... I always machine groves into my sleeves before using epoxy to glue them into the wood blank. Epoxy is a mechanical bond and needs something to hold on to.

Please feel free to DM me if you have more specific questions and I'll do my best to answer.

 

[its_virgil]

Ebonite is nice and I agree with David. But, it can be expensive. I like the section to match the body and cap when possible. When needed I use black acrylic acetate.

 

[d_bondi]

I meant to note this about the ebonite... It stinks when you turn it, like rotten eggs and burning tires.

Just wanted you to know since it will smell up your shop for a while!

 

[MedWoodWorx]

I personally prefer and use ebonite. Ebonite is a traditional pen material. One reason is that it feels warmer to the touch than resins, I find that it machines very well.

I have used Alumilite resin blanks for this same purpose and it also works very well.

I have not used Delrin, but I think you will find that of the three you listed, it is the most difficult to get a bond with, so keep that in mind if you try it. I'm not sure I would want/enjoy a section made from Delrin.

FYI... I always machine groves into my sleeves before using epoxy to glue them into the wood blank. Epoxy is a mechanical bond and needs something to hold on to.

Please feel free to DM me if you have more specific questions and I'll do my best to answer.

What kind of groves? Vertical groves? Do you have a picture u could share? I just scuff em but i have made just one, so i am not an expert on this.cheers

 

[d_bondi]

What kind of groves? Vertical groves? Do you have a picture u could share? I just scuff em but i have made just one, so i am not an expert on this.cheers

I scuff them as well. Here is a photo of a recent cap sleeve with the grooves in it.

 

[duncsuss]

Like David and Don - my preference is ebonite, followed by black acrylic acetate.

I've used acetal (generic name for Delrin) for other things, but to me it feels a bit greasy. For that reason I won't use it in pens (unless a customer specifically requests it, and even then I would try to talk them out of it by showing them the different materials).