FGarbrecht
Member
For those of you interested in inlay, rings, etc., The Opal Dealer has a nice sale going on on their crushed opal (50% off) at https://www.theopaldealer.com/. I've used some and its very nice.
On a pen if you want to create a simple inlay band, take the blank down to finished size and then just use a parting tool to cut down into the blank 1/16" or so. I've used simple drilling to create circular inlay on knife scales. Or you could use a carving knife or dremel tool if you are feeling more artistic....Thank you. How do you make the cut-out to hold the opal please?
For a tiny inlay like a 1/16" band I would use the fine grains. Medium gives a different (and nice) appearance but you'll have spaces between grains that may be undesirable in the finished pen.Question: the opal grains come in Medium and Fine. Which would be better for a 1/16" band line on a pen?
Question: using as a simple accent line on a pen, what amount of opal would you suggest purchasing? It comes in 1 gram increments.
This looks "enticing"...!
Thanks for the heads up on the site sale!
Thank you. I also have trouble control the turquoise stone powder. Maybe this stuff will be easier to control. Thank you.On a pen if you want to create a simple inlay band, take the blank down to finished size and then just use a parting tool to cut down into the blank 1/16" or so. I've used simple drilling to create circular inlay on knife scales. Or you could use a carving knife or dremel tool if you are feeling more artistic....
Tony - The opal tends to go all over the place too unless you have a very steady hand, that's why I put a sheet of paper underneath to collect and re-use the spillage. I have some turquoise and malachite powder as well but haven't used it yet. I've also got some Inlace turquoise, which is a premixed turquoise-resin mixture that you can just slap into your inlay. It works well and finishes nicely but the turquoise is a little coarse so may not be the best choice for pen work.Thank you. I also have trouble control the turquoise stone powder. Maybe this stuff will be easier to control. Thank you.
Thank you. How do you make the cut-out to hold the opal please?