Monthly Archives: September 2014
Leaving For Arts Marketplace Pawtucket
Did I remember EVERYTHING?
After the fiasco last week of leaving all my demonstration tools and supplies at home, I made a list, and checked it twice, just so I will not forget anything! I am proud to say that I did not forget anything , so far but I will let you know when I arrive at the show and start to set up. If you are in the Pawtucket area stop into the show and say hi!
This weekend is supposed to be very nice in New England so hopefully people will be out and come to the show. We will see…
Even Professionals Forget!
This past weekend was the Virginia Woodturning Symposium, which, by the way, was excellently run – but then again, I did not expect anything less from good ol’ southern hospitality! The staff was great, the attendees were engaged, and everyone had a great time!
Now for the not so good stuff!
You would think a professional demonstrator, who has been demonstrating for over 15 years, would not FORGET his demonstration kit, BUT I DID!! I packed the car the day before checking, and double checking, to make sure I had everything, and I DID have everything. However, I wanted to make one small change in the presentation, so I took out my demonstration kit with all my tools and demo pieces, and took it back into my shop to add a few pieces to it. When I was done I placed it in the middle of the floor so I would have to trip over it when I left the garage, and I would have tripped over it if I went out through the garage! When I left Friday morning to drive 5 hours to Virginia, I went out through the front door of my home, and not out the garage. The last thing my lovely wife said to me was did I forget anything, and my response was “What, me forget?”!!
You can probably guess the sinking feeling that I had when I started to unpack the car at the symposium to set up the lathe, and realized that I forgot to pack EVERYTHING that I had been preparing this last week! Panic set in, I used a lot of language I shouldn’t say in public, and after a rant of 30 minutes realized that I would have to make do with what I had available. Other vendors offered to pitch in to help, and in the long run, after my blood pressure came back to normal, the attendees of the symposium, and myself, all had a good laugh at the “Professional who forgot his tools”!
PS – It all worked out well. Everyone still learned a lot, and I will make sure that I do check my checklist at least twice! (maybe 3 times – just to be sure.)
2 New Pen Kits – Glacia & Carbine
Glacia:
New Glacia Pen
The sleek styling of the Glacia™ is striking in design, and fits comfortably in your hand, which will appeal to both men and women. The end cap has a sculpted design reminiscent of a Spanish piece of “8” coin with engraved vines & leaves wrapping around the lower cap. It can use a Parker style ballpoint or a gel refill and has a smooth premium twist mechanism.
Available in 3 finishes: Upgrade Gold, Chrome & Gunmetal
Glacia Cap Detail
Glacia Band Detail
Carbine:
Carbine Pen Kit shown in Gun Metal
Introducing the latest in bullet pens, the new Carbine™ 30 caliber bullet ballpoint double twist pen kit. The front of the Carbine™ replicates a 30 caliber rifle cartridge and the sharp design of the M1 carbine rifle clip will make it a sure winner at craft fairs. The M1 was the work horse of the US military during WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam.
Available in 3 finishes: Upgrade Gold, Chrome & Gun Metal
Carbine Clip Detail
New Clearance Section on website!
This is an “Early Bird Gets The Worm” opportunity!
We’ve added a Clearance section under the Specials category:
http://www.arizonasilhouette.com/category/clearance.html
Right now, only the people who follow me on social media get first dibs on these seriously discounted items! Most are discounted 50% off, or more. These are items that we only have a few of, and when they are gone, they’re gone! Blanks, boxes, cases & display stands so far, but this can change minute by minute. Just looked at the store inventory, and we’re down to only 1 pen display case that holds 30 pens – a bargain at only $19.95!
Our social media friends only have about 24 hours to grab these deals before we send out an email to our entire mailing list. Thanks for following us on social media!
Black Tie Pen Stand
Gallery Grade Spalted Maple Stabilized – ONLY ONE!!!
30 Pen Display Case
Single Redwood Box
Clear Casting Issues: What to do
Now that fall is approaching, more people will be getting back into their shops to make some pens. Clear casting your own acrylic pens is very popular.
An issue that may occur when clear casting your own blanks is that the acrylic does not entirely cure. In other words the acrylic is tacky to the touch. This can be caused by a number of issues:
1) Did you use the correct amount of hardener per the manufacturer’s instructions?
2) Is the ambient temperature where you are casting, within the range of acceptable temperature for curing the resin?
3) Humidity – is your particular area very humid?
The best ambient temperature will be around 60-70 degrees. However, most of us do not live in that type of climate year around, so adjust the number of drops of hardening or curing agent for the ambient temperature as per the directions that came with your particular resin kit.
Resin casting tubes with fishing flies (left) and seahorses (right)
Finished seahorses & shells resin casted pen.
If you did follow the instructions, and your cast was still tacky, a way to dry the acrylic is to place the mold in the direct path of the sun with a cover over it, and in about an hour it should dry, weather permitting. Another option for drying is a toaster oven, but please do not cook the mold! Turn on the toaster oven (with your spouse’s permission, of course) to about 120° and once it is warm, UNPLUG the oven, place the mold in the oven, close the door and let it cool down. This will definitely dry it quickly.
Now, I know someone out there will say “Then why can’t I just put the mold in the toaster oven to start with and accelerate the drying process?” Polyester resin needs a catalyst to get the reaction started, and when the catalyst is added, it generates heat. If you place the mold in an oven, you will only be generating more heat, and when the casting cools, it will be 10 times more brittle because you have heated it during the drying cycle! Polyester resin is brittle enough, without making it more brittle by overheating it.
I hope this will answer some questions about casting- we will delve into more casting issues in another blog entry.
