Est. 1998 — 27 years of woodworking knowledge
Acrylic Hair Stick Blanks?
Dave Staeheli
I've been making wood hair sticks but wanted to break into acrylics. Problem is I can't find a source for oversized pen blank material. Should be six or eight inches long. Can you buy pen blank material in sheets? There must be a source as I see common pen blank materials made into hair sticks. Anybody have any idea where I can find these?
Re: Acrylic Hair Stick Blanks?
Dwight Rutherford
Just did a quick "Google" search for acrylic rod and got lots of choices.
Re: Acrylic Hair Stick Blanks?
Leo Cuellar
I haven't bought these from this site, but noticed that they do have larger size spindles.
Cast acrylic rod
Ken Vaughan
Ed Davidson (aka Yo-Yo Spin) is a premier turner of acrylic, especially for yo-yos. Ed published a DVD on yo-yo making a few years back and was emphatic in recommending use of cast acrylic and avoiding extruded acrylic.
Longer lengths of acrylic penblanks are made and sold for the custom fountain pen makers.
Try Exoticblanks.com as one source.
There are also lots of small penblank casters who do custom work. Ask at IAP.com as several hang out there.
Turning acrylic
John K Jordan
Dave,
I've turned quite a bit of acrylic, but in larger sizes than what you mentioned. All mine is "cast acrylic" which I understand is the best or even important to use. I have 4' lengths 1.25 to 1.5" in diameter. This company has many sizes and colors:
http://www.delviesplastics.com/c/Cast_Acrylic_Rod.html
I find it reasonably easy to turn, smooth, and polish. I use Hunter carbide tools and standard spindle gouges, sand with fine paper, then polish by hand with compound on a soft cloth. Some examples, although it is hard to get a photo that looks as good as it does with the eye:
JKJ
Look for Italian acrylic rods
Dick Coers
As mentioned, Exoticblanks has them, some at 9+" and longer. You can get solid color rods up to 6' long at plastic suppliers.
Re: Acrylic Hair Stick Blanks?
Ivan Clark
Lee Valley just added "Simulated Natural Material Rods" to their New Woodworking Products. It says that they are polyester. No statement about cast or extruded. Two sizes: 3/4"x6" and 2"x6"
I have not tried these blanks yet.
Re: Acrylic Hair Stick Blanks?
David Bassett
They also have 3mm sheets. (Otherwise don't know anything about the product.)