PRICKLY PEAR CACTUS INFORMATION

These blanks are made with Texas Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia lindheimeri Engelm. var. lindheimeri) which is common in Texas.  So much so, in fact, that in 1995 it was named the state plant of Texas.  The cactus pads (leaves) are harvested and processed to remove the internal woody skeleton which is then cleaned, bleached, dried, and cast in urethane resin to make the pen blank.  Only naturally dead pads are harvested and no damage is done to the main plant..

TUBE COLORING AND GLUING TIPS

If you are using a translucent blank you will need to color the inside of the blank rather than the tube.  If you only color the tube you will still see unsightly bubbles in the glue that you will not be able to get rid of.  I use spray paint with an acid brush to make sure the coverage is complete.  Another trick is to use fingernail polish.  After the inside of the blank is colored, simply use your choice of glue to adhere the tube.

TURNING TIPS

I use Alumilite urethane resin rather than polyester which for pen blank casting.  It is more expensive but I feel it is well worth the added expense.  The blanks are less brittle and more consistent and your chances of having one explode on you are greatly reduced.  That said, it is still prudent to make light cuts with sharp tools.

BUBBLES AND VOIDS

My blanks are pressure cast to reduce bubbles but you will still likely encounter small voids.  I simply fill the voids with thick CA and continue turning. 

FINISHING TIPS

You should be able to finish these blanks just like any other resin.  I wet sand starting with 320 up through 600 and then switch to Micro Mesh and dry sand through 12,000.  I then buff with tripoli, white diamond, and automotive polishing compound (in that order) and finish with a buffing of carnauba wax.  I have also used a CA finish with good success.