TruStone Information from Lessons Learned the EXPENSIVE WAY

[Fred]

Lately my business partner and I have had a rash of problems with TruStone ... particularly the green Banded Malachite (Note the letter 'P' iadded to the items number in the following product list). Chris has experienced blow-ups, blow-outs, chipping, cracking, fracturing, etc., etc., you name it and he has had it happen in the shop.

I have been reading and found a post here from back several years when the TruStone product line hit the streets and stirred a great interest with pen turners. A link to the TruStone manufacturer was listed and all the information following comes directly from that link.

It seems that there are three levels of TruStone material ... Standard, Pliable, and Colors with Gold (also available in the Pliable formulation.)

From the TruStone product list I found the following NOTICE. The information in the short notice makes great sense to me, and I believe it just might help many others here at IAP, or at least make one think a bit more.

Direct BLOCK - COPY - and PASTE from the TruStone website ...
"Pliable Block was specially formulated for the pen industry. Its formulation allows higher heat tolerances, which minimizes fractures and breakage. Unlike the standard material which requires the use of a wet saw, Pliable Block also lends itself to the use of a band saw."
... (Red emphasis color added by me)

With this information I am beginning to think that many of the other materials available for sale are being used for applications that DO NOT LEND THEMSELVES WELL TO TURNING due to heat, and from personal research, vibrations. (Such as turning squares into round cylinders ...)

So as a note to myself and partner WE will always inquire of our vendors as to whether the TrueStone we are about to purchase is of the PLIABLE STOCK. If it is not labeled PLIABLE, or stated to be PLIABLE, then Chris and I will not purchase it.

Here are the two pages of the TruStone product lists for your possible use that I refer to in this post. BTW, there are four additional pages prior to these, but they are of the Standard blocks they make.

 

[D.Oliver]

Thanks for the info Fred.

 

[Holz Mechaniker]

FYI:
Now as I understand from a few friends who do actual stone work. Malachite dust is poisonous. Do wear your proper respiratory protection while turning. that is another hard lesson to learn that can be expensive too.

 

[WWAtty]

I'm aware that there are different grades, but have always assumed that pen component vendors supplied the pliable version. Apparently, that is not always the case.

Thank you, Fred, for pointing out this important distinction.

Maybe someone should compile this and make a Trustone primer for the library.

 

[danrs]

Thanks Fred. I was wondering about that. Needed an investigator for the investigation.

 

[redbulldog]

Malachite DUST is toxic to breathe, malachite is in the copper family, along with some other stones used for jewelry.

 

[Marker]

Thank you.....I use a lot of Tru-stone. and this was very helpful to me.

 

[Ted iin Michigan]

Interesting info about Malachite. Do we know if the Trustone Malachite blanks actually contain Malachite? Or are they just supposed to LOOK like Malachite?

 

[jmbaker79]

Very helpful as these are moving up on the list of things to work with...thanks for putting that together in one spot!

 

[Fred]

Thanks for the info.

Thank you for taking note ...

FYI:
Do wear your proper respiratory protection while turning. that is another hard lesson to learn that can be expensive too.

YES. If and dust generating equipment is running then dust collection is ALWAYS on. Not only are the detremential effects of dust exposure expensive, but it can prove to be very dangerous, the cause of many diseases, and in rare cases deadly.

Study the hazzards associated with being allergic and becomming 'sensitized!' That is a life altering situation that can be handled ealy on, but not eliminated if one continues to be exposed.

One can only try and use everything available to control dust exposure. It is an effort to TRY that is far, far less costly than not to use any effort at all. Consider a measly $1000 or so spent on some sort of dust control vs the risk of a paultry $100,000+ in medical bills, etc. Not to mention permanent disability or even death.

I'm aware that there are different grades, but have always assumed that pen component vendors supplied ...

Have you not heard the often used expression concerning "assuming"? There are several TruStone blanks in various stores that are NOT on the list of pliable items. One has to read closely when ordering as many of the non-pliable varieties offered are also availably upon request to be made up in the pliable mixture. Or that is what I gleen from the makers online information. ASK if you do not know!!!

Thanks Fred. I was wondering about that. Needed an investigator for the investigation.

I'm just trying to keep my lowly pay grade established.

Malachite DUST is toxic to breathe, malachite is in the copper family, along with some other stones used for jewelry.

Yet another reason to pay attention to what we are exposed to.

Thank you.....I use a lot of Tru-stone. and this was very helpful to me.

Yep, the TruStone is indeed nice 'stuff'.

Do we know if the Trustone Malachite blanks actually contain Malachite?

I remember reading that the product is 85% actual mineral(s) and 15% resins.

Very helpful as these are moving up on the list of things to work with...thanks for putting that together in one spot!

Get a few of these blanks and have fun. DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED if, and it will happen, you will lose several in the process. Here, we do not throw anything over 0.5" away ... the workable sized remains can often be used for many other items of jewelry, etc.