Are Stabilized blanks worth the extra cost?

Posts

Are Stabilized blanks worth the extra cost?

9/10/04, 5:34 AM #1

Phil Winn
Guest

Are Stabilized blanks worth the extra cost?

Phil Winn

>I am relatively new to turning-my JET lathe came with some plain blanks which I turned into nice pens. Then I started purchasing stabilized blanks from WoodCraft, and I liked the �finish� better. Then I posted here, and someone suggested Arizona Silhouette and Craft Supply as a source for nice blanks.

Yes the wood is very nice-�eye candy�, but often the blanks are bent (see other post�). For the stabilized blanks I finish them this way:

I sand 150,180,220,280,320,400,500,600,800,1000,1200,

1500,2000,3000,4000,5000,6000,8000,12000.(MicroMesh) Then I use HUT friction polish.

Questions: (I am a novice �wood turner�)

1. Are Stabilized blanks worth the extra cost?

2. Why?

3. Am I finishing them correctly?

4. Where is the best place to purchase awesome

stabilized blanks?

5. Where is the best place to purchase awesome

plain blanks?

6. Best way to finish plain blanks?

7. How to correctly use MicroMesh? Use a backing block or no block? How hot? how long to sand-how to tell when to go to finer grit?

(I put the lathe on to 1000 RPM or so when sanding) How does one tell that the MicroMesh

is used up? How to clean MM?

8. Which "woods" are most popular with customers?

9.Natural colors or stained like Red,Blue, etc?

You all are such a great help to us-thanks!

Thanks,

Phil

Re: Are Stabilized blanks worth the extra cost?

9/10/04, 2:43 PM #2

Fred in NC
Guest

Sometimes !

Fred in NC

>Hello!

First of all, I have never seen crooked stabilized blanks ! If they are too crooked, the seller should replace them.

Stabilized blanks are much more expensive, of course... and I use them with the better quality kits. The result is a more expensive pen, but there is a market for it.

Interestingly, I have sold quite a few pens made from Oak dowel from Lowe's !! I guess it is because it does look like wood ! I can get 7 pens out of one . . .

Sanding: some of the grits in your list are too close together.... I sand 150, 220, 320, 400, 600, 1000, 1500 and 2000. Always wipe the blanks with a dry cloth between grits.

I use micromesh on some pens, depending on the material. Always a light touch when using MM, don't let it get hot. No backing block !

You will get more feedback from others.. Happy turning !

Fred