My first acrylic stem- an issue
My first acrylic stem- an issue
I cut my first acrylic stem and had it looking pretty good (for me).
Then I heated it over the heat gun to bend it and a couple of things happened: 1) it took about twice as long to get to the pliant stage for bending 2) a pattern appeared on the surface of the heated parts of the stem which matched the inclusions in this piece of "tortoise shell" acrylic.
It is difficult to see this pattern, but it is also palpable.
This after a gentle filing that hits the high spots
Is this a common phenomenon with acrylic or is it just because of the way this particular material, "tortoise shell" is constructed?
DocAitch
Then I heated it over the heat gun to bend it and a couple of things happened: 1) it took about twice as long to get to the pliant stage for bending 2) a pattern appeared on the surface of the heated parts of the stem which matched the inclusions in this piece of "tortoise shell" acrylic.
It is difficult to see this pattern, but it is also palpable.
This after a gentle filing that hits the high spots
Is this a common phenomenon with acrylic or is it just because of the way this particular material, "tortoise shell" is constructed?
DocAitch
"Hettinger, if you stamp 'hand made' on a dog turd, some one will buy it."
-Charles Hollyday, pipe maker, reluctant mentor, and curmudgeon
" Never show an idiot an unfinished pipe!"- same guy
-Charles Hollyday, pipe maker, reluctant mentor, and curmudgeon
" Never show an idiot an unfinished pipe!"- same guy
-
- Posts: 3121
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:29 am
- Location: Kansas City, USA
- Contact:
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
Just sand the surface level with 1000 or so after bending. Use backing boards, though, not just your finger.
(The perfection-chaser guys sand after bending vulcanite, too. Heating brings out zombie scratches.)
(The perfection-chaser guys sand after bending vulcanite, too. Heating brings out zombie scratches.)
UFOs must be real. There's no other explanation for cats.
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
I took it down with a #2 file, then 400, 600, 800, 1000.
It was actually kind of attractive, but it had to go.
Does this happen with acrylics in general or just with the fancy stuff like tortoise shell?
DocAitch
It was actually kind of attractive, but it had to go.
Does this happen with acrylics in general or just with the fancy stuff like tortoise shell?
DocAitch
"Hettinger, if you stamp 'hand made' on a dog turd, some one will buy it."
-Charles Hollyday, pipe maker, reluctant mentor, and curmudgeon
" Never show an idiot an unfinished pipe!"- same guy
-Charles Hollyday, pipe maker, reluctant mentor, and curmudgeon
" Never show an idiot an unfinished pipe!"- same guy
-
- Posts: 3121
- Joined: Sun Sep 02, 2007 4:29 am
- Location: Kansas City, USA
- Contact:
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
Tortoise is definitely the worst, but all acrylic tends to hold pressure marks from bending.
UFOs must be real. There's no other explanation for cats.
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
Yep this can happen with patterned rods, it can even happen on cumberland.
For me personally I find it best to shape my stem, sand to 320, bend and then sand up to 1000 and polish. I am always happier with the result, any distortion is easily removed by going over with 320 again if needed and on some shape stems I find I want to take off a little more material after bend to get the shape right, if I have only sanded to 320 I have not wasted my time if I need to go back to something coarser.
For me personally I find it best to shape my stem, sand to 320, bend and then sand up to 1000 and polish. I am always happier with the result, any distortion is easily removed by going over with 320 again if needed and on some shape stems I find I want to take off a little more material after bend to get the shape right, if I have only sanded to 320 I have not wasted my time if I need to go back to something coarser.
- sandahlpipe
- Posts: 2106
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 8:49 pm
- Location: Zimmerman, MN
- Contact:
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
I've had it happen with several acrylics after bending. I always plan on a little sanding after the bend. I like the stem on this pipe!
-
- Posts: 1056
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:25 pm
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
I like tortoise a lot and it can be a horses ass! I always have to sand again after bending. I have yet to make one I'm happy with...
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
I just never look close at my pipes after bending the stem.
Problem solved!
Problem solved!
ALL YOUR PIPE ARE BELONG TO US!
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
This was my first experience with acrylic, guys. This surface development just caused a little consternation.Sasquatch wrote:I just never look close at my pipes after bending the stem.
Problem solved!
I won't look too closely in the future, thank you, Sasquatch. I also won't finish to 1000 and buff before bending, thank you, Chris.
DocAitch
"Hettinger, if you stamp 'hand made' on a dog turd, some one will buy it."
-Charles Hollyday, pipe maker, reluctant mentor, and curmudgeon
" Never show an idiot an unfinished pipe!"- same guy
-Charles Hollyday, pipe maker, reluctant mentor, and curmudgeon
" Never show an idiot an unfinished pipe!"- same guy
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
It's possible you overheated it too... acrylic is really fussy. It goes from stubbornly stiff to totally liquid over about a 3 degree transition in temperature, and 3 degrees more and it'll bubble. It's no goddam fun.
ALL YOUR PIPE ARE BELONG TO US!
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
Sasquatch wrote:It's possible you overheated it too... acrylic is really fussy. It goes from stubbornly stiff to totally liquid over about a 3 degree transition in temperature, and 3 degrees more and it'll bubble. It's no goddam fun.
Polyester isn't much better, except it doesn't bubble, it just turns into fudge and falls apart.
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
With the added advantage of slowly creeping back to straight over about 3 months in many cases too! Yayyy!
ALL YOUR PIPE ARE BELONG TO US!
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
Sasquatch wrote:With the added advantage of slowly creeping back to straight over about 3 months in many cases too! Yayyy!
Luckily not a problem I have encountered except with Ivory so I don't use it on heavy bent stems anymore.
Re: My first acrylic stem- an issue
Well done Doc . Its good
Sent from my SM-J700F using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-J700F using Tapatalk