Turned acrylic jewellery

[Hitch]

Doing an acrylic pen for a birthday present, I had a brilliant idea to go with it, a matching pendant. :roll:
Bought a 'holder' for the finished pendanty thing, now all I need do is turn it. :lol:

The diameter of the holder thingy is 1.6mm, 6mm balls either end.
Im considering drilling a 3mm hole in the blank, and mounting it on an M3 machine screw, held in a chuck.....perhaps with a centre supporting the head. Hoping the balls either end will self centre the finished part.

Any other bright ideas?

Turned part only needs be about 20mm long.

 

[nev]

that slipped down the list rather swiftly!
if the pendant kit is like this

then I'd go for a 3mm hole and an Ian wilkie type light pull friction drive like this...

 

[Hitch]

Thats the sort of thing Nev, but the one I got was slightly shorter.

How do they work then, just drill a nice close hole, and put a little pressure on it with a live centre?

 

[nev]

Thats the sort of thing Nev, but the one I got was slightly shorter.

How do they work then, just drill a nice close hole, and put a little pressure on it with a live centre?

yep thats it, and the drives have the added advantage of various size steps for various sized holes - i use mine to do the wheels on my little toy car.

 

[Hitch]

Thanks for the help Nev 8)

Been out in the garage playing tonight, decided upon nice simple pear drop shape.
Turned out well....I think, certainly made a very easy job of it.
I had visions of it wobbling about all over the place on a machine screw #-o

Once removed from the mandrel, I countersunk the through hole very slightly to allow the balls to centre it. Seemed to work a treat.

Heres the finished pen and matching pendant.
Hopefully will be well received

 

[nev]

looking good!
i find one of the biggest steps(?) when on the learning curve is working out how to hold different size /shape things on the lathe, and its so much easier when youve got the right tool for the job.


btw, what pen kit and blank is that? lovely colour.

 

[Jensmith]

I was going to ask the same question about what blank you used. Stunning colours.
Lovely shapes to the pen and pendant. It's worked out well.

 

[boysie39]

Hi Hitch , that sure is a lovely present great colour and finish

 

[Hitch]

Thanks, glad its passed QC :lol:

The pen, is an Axminster kit, http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-st ... rod649854/
I also bought a blank from Axminster, but I have to confess, I messed it up. Broke a bit off the end during drilling. Ended up as a keyring.

So the actual blank that pen and pendant were from was part of a 6pk from ebay, but Axminster sell the same pack, Tropical Storm.