First Time With Acrylic
First Time With Acrylic
Just a real quick question about acrylic/lucite stems: do they sand/buff/polish/wax the same as vulcanite/ebonite or are there special considerations?
Thanks everyone, Nathan
Thanks everyone, Nathan
Re: First Time With Acrylic
Harder in the intitial stages, but easier to polish
Re: First Time With Acrylic
Take your time drilling - the stuff melts easily, sticks in the flutes, breaks bits. Small bites, and let it cool a little between bites.
The finishing is more work, too. (I think) it takes more effort than ebonite in getting scratches out. That Lucite is some HARD stuff!
The finishing is more work, too. (I think) it takes more effort than ebonite in getting scratches out. That Lucite is some HARD stuff!
Kim Kendall
http://www.PenguinBriar.com/
http://www.PenguinBriar.com/
Re: First Time With Acrylic
Acrylic will also load up your sandpaper, and its surface will melt if you get too agressive sanding it in the finer grits.
Rad
Rad
Re: First Time With Acrylic
I think the key for all processes is not to be too fast/aggressive. It is fiddly crap, but it's easy to get really good results as long as you don't force things.
ALL YOUR PIPE ARE BELONG TO US!
Re: First Time With Acrylic
I do the acrylic with sandpapers 120, 180, 240, 320, 400, 500, 600, 800, 1000 and 1200.
On top of that, gray and blue tripoli. I don't use wax on it.
Later, buffing wheel with rotation under 2000rpm and buffing by hand.
It gets so shine that you can get blind looking at it
eder.
• • •
Eder Mathias
http://mrhydepipes.com
On top of that, gray and blue tripoli. I don't use wax on it.
Later, buffing wheel with rotation under 2000rpm and buffing by hand.
It gets so shine that you can get blind looking at it
eder.
• • •
Eder Mathias
http://mrhydepipes.com
Re: First Time With Acrylic
Thanks for the info. One more quick question about acrylic: does bending the stem work the same as with vulcanite?
Re: First Time With Acrylic
Not quite. You have a much shorter window of flexibility with acrylic as it begins to cool.NathanA wrote:Thanks for the info. One more quick question about acrylic: does bending the stem work the same as with vulcanite?
Rad
Re: First Time With Acrylic
And it tends to want to bend in one spot. Takes a bit of fussing to get a gradual bend across a longer length. I try to use a cylindrical object (a cold can of something from the fridge) and lay the stem across it to get the curve... then enjoy the contents of the can!RadDavis wrote:Not quite. You have a much shorter window of flexibility with acrylic as it begins to cool.NathanA wrote:Thanks for the info. One more quick question about acrylic: does bending the stem work the same as with vulcanite?
Rad
Kim Kendall
http://www.PenguinBriar.com/
http://www.PenguinBriar.com/
- bootlegbonvivant
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Re: First Time With Acrylic
I know this is an old post, however, I was searching for how to heat the acrylic stem to bend. I tried the boiling thing and that basically did nothing.
Any tips? Thanks!
Any tips? Thanks!
Southerners don't talk slow because they're dumb, we do it because there's really no rush.
Re: First Time With Acrylic
I would suggest a heat gun (not a hair dryer) or an alcohol flame. A candle will work, but it'll produce soot. Won't hurt anything, it's just messy.
Be aware that there's a small window of opportunity when bending acrylic. If you start to feel resistance, stop the bending, or you could easily snap it.
Rad
Be aware that there's a small window of opportunity when bending acrylic. If you start to feel resistance, stop the bending, or you could easily snap it.
Rad
- bootlegbonvivant
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:25 pm
- Location: Flowery Branch, GA
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Re: First Time With Acrylic
Thanks Rad. I'll give it a try this weekend and see what comes of it.
Southerners don't talk slow because they're dumb, we do it because there's really no rush.
Re: First Time With Acrylic
I use a candle all the time - keep the stem about 2" above the flame and keep it moving - you really have to try to warm up a large section so it will bend uniformally. But a couple of minutes dancing over the flame and it will get nice and soft. Just takes a tiny bit of practice and patience no matter what method you try.
ALL YOUR PIPE ARE BELONG TO US!