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Non Toxic Alternative for Casting Blanks

Twister

Registered
Joined
Jun 18, 2014
Posts
2,202
Location
kent
First Name
Steve
should not take long with MM
i sand 240 320 400 600 800 1200 then MicroMesh (used wet)then if a special I go onto wheels
less than 5 mins

job done

Steve
 

Lons

Fellow
Joined
Dec 17, 2013
Posts
4,753
Location
Northumberland
First Name
Bob
I can't see why you're having problems.
As long as you're getting a decent finish from the turning tools, as Steve says it's just minutes to go though the micromesh grits. I use it wet as well though I know others sand dry.

Just a thought, you are working through the grits aren't you? not just going straight to the fine stuff!
 

pandora45

Apprentice Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2015
Posts
6
Location
United Kingdom
First Name
vilma
Some great advice guys!
And yes, I'm using a turners mesh (180 240 320 400 600) and then I go onto 2400 3200 3600 4000 6000 8000 and 12000.
Can u see why I'm bored of using micro mesh, but it has to be so shiny that I could see my face in it :devil:
 

Dalboy

Executive Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2014
Posts
7,681
Location
Kent
First Name
Derek
Some great advice guys!
And yes, I'm using a turners mesh (180 240 320 400 600) and then I go onto 2400 3200 3600 4000 6000 8000 and 12000.
Can u see why I'm bored of using micro mesh, but it has to be so shiny that I could see my face in it :devil:

It may take a little longer I also run through all the grits but it is well worth it. Like any turning you could easily take longer on finishing a piece.
 

wm460

Grand Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Posts
23,104
Location
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.
First Name
Mark
Welcome
you could try a cup of warm milk add a tablespoon of white vinegar then collect the white lumps. Remove as much moisture as possible shape into a blank removing as much air as possible then place somewhere warm for a few weeks to dry. It will have become a cream coloured hard type plastic. I have been trying experiments with it making pen blanks but was too impatient and it hadn't dried all the way through so I bugg**ed that batch right up.
Milk and vinegar that can't be toxic can it ?
:thinks::thinks::thinks:

Can you ferment this?:pint::pint:
 

wm460

Grand Master
Joined
Mar 16, 2013
Posts
23,104
Location
Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia.
First Name
Mark
Ok guys.. I got the idea of the non toxic consumable acrylics lol

I have a bit more serious matter.. Does anyone could advice me on polishing acrylic pen blanks? I'm currently using micro mesh and it's boring as it takes such a long time. Could I use buffing wheals to get a mirror finish?
Has anyone tried it? Or maybe easier ways of polishing?

I used to use micro mesh till Les ELm said he only sands to 600 grit, His pens are absolutely superb.
I then buff Tripoli and white diamond.:thumbs:
 

Bill Mooney

Blind old git
Grand Master
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Posts
11,032
Location
County Durham
First Name
Bill
I dry sand acrylics to 1200 then use Tcut, Farecla300 cream then Farecla500 cream. The Farecla cream cuts & polishes to a very high gloss. I use the same system on a ca finish. I turn the lath up to 1500 rpm for polishing.
 

Twister

Registered
Joined
Jun 18, 2014
Posts
2,202
Location
kent
First Name
Steve
Some great advice guys!
And yes, I'm using a turners mesh (180 240 320 400 600) and then I go onto 2400 3200 3600 4000 6000 8000 and 12000.
Can u see why I'm bored of using micro mesh, but it has to be so shiny that I could see my face in it :devil:

U could drop the 180 and maybe even the 240 ,and u seem to have missed the 1500 1800

Steve
 
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