Sealing Graphite?

[SVB]

I’m planning to do some pen turning using graphite rather than wood (I’ve got the graphite (carbon) blanks - long story, don’t ask why!)

Any idea how I can seal them so don’t mark / stain like a pastel? Thinking CA finish but can I do better / pre-condition?

Simon

 

[CHJ]

Unless these are graphite loaded resin blanks I suspect that it will be almost impossible to find anything to bond to it, graphite is a natural lubricant and release agent.

 

[MJP]

You'll be sorry!
I used to work for Morganite, manufacturing graphite from coke/pitch etc and it is the most hideously awful material to work with - the black greasy dust gets absolutely everywhere.
You'll never have a clean lathe again .
Martin.

 

[Lons]

Can't really help but I've turned a few pens using sections of old carbon fibre / graphite golf club shafts and fishing rods.
probably very different material but they seemed quite brittle and black dust isn't nice. I just finished the pens with microcrystalline wax and they were fine.

 

[lurker]

The stuff is too dense to embed in epoxy isn’t it?

Once you turn the tube won’t it be rather frail lengthwise

You could forget a pen and make a bluddy big pencil

Cracks in graphite are a nightmare :wink:

 

[Lons]

"lurker"You could forget a pen and make a bluddy big pencil

:lol: :lol: :lol: Must try that

 

[sunnybob]

You'll be sorry!
I used to work for Morganite, manufacturing graphite from coke/pitch etc and it is the most hideously awful material to work with - the black greasy dust gets absolutely everywhere.
You'll never have a clean lathe again .
Martin.

Battersea? My dad and brother worked at Philips Mills just across the road.

And yeah, if thats just graphite, you'll need a full HAZ-MAT suit and your mrs will NEVER allow you to work with it a second time. :roll: :shock:

 

[SVB]

Cracks in graphite are a nightmare :wink:

Yes, but it’s amazing how many you can actually cope with and the thing still works!

 

[MJP]

You'll be sorry!
I used to work for Morganite, manufacturing graphite from coke/pitch etc and it is the most hideously awful material to work with - the black greasy dust gets absolutely everywhere.
You'll never have a clean lathe again .
Martin.

Battersea? My dad and brother worked at Philips Mills just across the road.

And yeah, if thats just graphite, you'll need a full HAZ-MAT suit and your mrs will NEVER allow you to work with it a second time. :roll: :shock:

No, Morriston - they had nearly finished in Battersea when I joined in around 1973-ish.
Filthy business, was glad to get out two years later - worst job I ever had.

Martin.