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Purple acrylic.

Steve68

Full Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2018
Posts
310
Location
Suffolk UK
First Name
Steven
In case you haven't read my "introduce myself" thread....Hello :thumbs:

Purple acrylic blanks.......is it just me or are they absolutely terrible to turn? Mine seem to catch, chip, break, and ruin my tools to an edge duller than a weekend in Brussels.

And while I'm on the subject of dull tools, where can I get my gouges sharpened by a pro in the Suffolk area? It seems to be a dying trade.

All the best,
Steve.
 

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,340
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
The same place you live is best,sharp tools need keeping sharp best to learn now.Look for a Wood Turning Group local and join and see and learn.

All the best Peter.
 

Gadget-UK

Graduate Member
Joined
May 18, 2018
Posts
821
Location
Nr Blandford Forum. Dorset. UK
First Name
Colin
It all depends on what type of acrylic has been used to make the blanks Steve.
I have a few in my workshop that rip out and splinter really badly and others (from a different supplier) that turn beautifully with no issues.

As I think your finding a sharp chisel is a MUST for turning acrylic (and wood for that matter).
Have you thought about getting a sharpening system.
I have this one:

Robert Sorby ProEdge System - Tools & Machines - Yandle & Sons Ltd

You can get it cheaper elsewhere
Fantastic piece of kit and has kept my chisels etc very sharp

Bit of a way (i think) but if you fancy a trip to Poole (Dorset) then give me a shout and bring your chisels with you :thumbs:
 

Steve68

Full Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2018
Posts
310
Location
Suffolk UK
First Name
Steven
The Robert Sorby sharpening system looks great. Might have to treat myself as I have a couple of Robert Sorby chisels. They seem pretty good.
 

Dibbs

Full Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2018
Posts
47
Location
Leeds
First Name
Ian
The Sorby sharpener is great. Sending tools out for sharpening isn't going to work. They need sharpening all the time. Scrapers in particular only last a few minutes.
 

Phil Dart

Moderator
Executive Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Posts
5,455
Location
Colebrooke, Devon
First Name
Phil
Ian has it right - sending tools out to be professionally sharpened is not really ever going to be a satisfactory solution for a turner. Depending on the material you are turning, you may need to re-sharpen a tool several times during the course of making even one pen.

The better solution is as already mentioned, which is to get your own sharpening system. That could be as simple as a bench grinder, but more sophisticated options exist too, the two popular ones being the Tormek grinder and the Sorby Pro-edge. Both have their devotees, but in my observation (and my own preference too) most roads lead to the Pro-edge in the end.

Dull tools may also help explain the problems you're having with acrylic blanks. Acrylics vary in their ease of turning depending on the type of resin, but it could also just be that having started on a purple one, coincidentally the sharpness of your tools may have reached a state whereby they are no longer up to the job.
 

Steve68

Full Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2018
Posts
310
Location
Suffolk UK
First Name
Steven
Well guys, I did it. I took a trip to Classic Hand Tools in Witnesham and what a great bunch they are. Very helpful indeed.

I bought myself the deluxe model with the extra jig etc. WOW!!! What a difference!!!!

Spun these up in half the time.

IMG_1203.jpg
 

Bill Mooney

Blind old git
Grand Master
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Posts
10,997
Location
County Durham
First Name
Bill
It’s all been said. Those pens look great. You will only get better. High speed, slow light cuts & sharp tools will help you improve your turning.
 

Steve68

Full Member
Joined
Sep 24, 2018
Posts
310
Location
Suffolk UK
First Name
Steven
I'm very pleased with the sharpener already. The shed and kitchen have much sharper implements than before :thumbs:

Bill & Paul, thanks for your compliments. I'm wanting to try something other than the slimline pens. Any recommendations?

Cheers.
 
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