Laminated Denim

[watch_art]

Okay - so I made some laminated denim with fiberglass resin from O'Reilly's. It was about $50 for the resin, $6 for the denim (should have gone to the thrift store and bought big pants), and a maybe $45 for rubber gloves, plastic, squeegee, and some groceries, which don't really count.

So not that big of an investment really, and I could have done it cheaper if I had thrift shopped.

 

So here's the block of laminated denim. 3/4" thick. I was hoping for 1", so I'll end up making more. Next time, instead of layering it, I'll roll it and add resin as I roll it, and then compress it. Should be quicker to make that way.

 

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5312/7069596125_271ee2f091_o.jpg

001 by snennewton, on Flickr

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5342/7069596303_702be1816c_o.jpg

002 by snennewton, on Flickr

 

 

Cleaned up a bit. DId a horrible job cutting with the band saw. Will probably need a new blade after this. It's MURDER on the blades.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6923515854_8c82d6e234_o.jpg

003 by snennewton, on Flickr

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/6923515996_5341d5cf4c_o.jpg

004 by snennewton, on Flickr

 

So I eventually took it to the table saw and that made pretty short work of it. THis stuff is TOUGH. Holy cow.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5191/7069596763_9361ba5466_o.jpg

006 by snennewton, on Flickr

 

Drilling it out. Yikes. Again. Tough. Probably going to need new bits after this.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7078/7069596695_cfd244b61b_o.jpg

005 by snennewton, on Flickr

 

Funny thing though, it turned down SOOOO easy - using a carbide tool of course.

 

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7107/6923516346_dd7347af4c_o.jpg

007 by snennewton, on Flickr

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/6923516450_0536e62e6f_o.jpg

008 by snennewton, on Flickr

 

Freshly cut off, sanded piece. I goofed up on the threads though, so it won't be getting used. It was good practice though.

It looks really rough, but it's quite smooth.

Just for kicks, after I took this picture, I slammed it into my shop floor as hard as I could, and it bounced ALL the way to the ceiling, spun a second, and fell to the floor. Not a crack or chip. I took another section I had made a couple weeks back that I goofed up, and it SHATTERED to bits. Acrylic acetate. Holy cow. I love this denim stuff!

 

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/6923516546_303924cb5d_o.jpg

011 by snennewton, on Flickr

Edited April 30, 2012 by watch_art

[Brian C]

I was thinking. Black denim jeans might be kind of neat as well. Classic with a twist.

[watch_art]

I'm going to do all sorts of fabrics like this. I've got an order for a strong, durable, PINK pen, and this is how I'm going to do it.

[Brian C]

Two thumbs up!

[professionaldilettante]

The threads look messy, but I understand it is the nature of the beast. However, you might want to just do acrylic/ebonite inserts to make things cleaner. awesome job though, and can't wait to see what you dream up.

[kushbaby]

WANT!!!!!

 

SIgn me up for a blue denim one, once you get the kinks worked out...

 

[watch_art]

Well, the kinks were all my fault with this one. One of the hazards of working while needing to sleep.

I used the wrong size die to cut the threads. Too small. I used the 9/16" instead of the 5/8" so I totally ruined the threads.

 

Even though - it still took the threads VERY well, so the next section I make will be better.

I did ruin my hacksaw blade cutting the section off the blank though. Dang this stuff is TOUGH. I love it.

[terminal]

This is just incredible. I can't believe how quickly you executed this idea... really remarkable. I'm just in awe.

[DET]

Can't wait to see the finished product!

[79spitfire]

OK, I want one too....

 

(I just hope I can afford it when it comes ready!) :embarrassed_smile:

 

Edit:

 

As a thought to the process, I read an instructable about how a kid made his own skate board by using a bag and a vacuum to help compress the parts and form the laminate. I wonder if you could do something similar with a hand vacuum pump and a freezer bag to get a better compression out of it...

 

 

:hmm1: Now you got me thinking!

Edited April 12, 2012 by 79spitfire

[smk]

This is really cool Shawn. I admire the spirit of adventure you bring to the things you do - its exciting for us too :-)

 

Salman

[watch_art]

Cool! thanks!

[stevlight]

One word--AWESOME!!!!

[richardandtracy]

There is a commercially available material like that, but it uses a phenolic resin instead. The stuff is called 'Tufnol', some here may have heard of it. The older brands have animal names - 'Bear' brand is good for bearings [groan], 'Whale' & 'Carp' brands are good under water etc.

 

Nice idea though Shawn.

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

Edited April 12, 2012 by richardandtracy

[pen2paper]

Carhartt's color (Y)

thrifting will get you a variety of colors too : D

this is great fun

BTW, you might want to contact Rivet collectors

My link

 

My link

 

Edited April 12, 2012 by pen2paper

[CatBookMom]

So you're making fountain pens out of old blue jeans? Shawn, you are a never-ending source of amazement and great craftsmanship (craftspersonship?? nah).

[Lloyd]

Promise me that you won't start making pens out of old leisure suits.:embarrassed_smile:

[terminal]

Promise me that you won't start making pens out of old leisure suits.:embarrassed_smile:

 

Promise me you will and ship them in fedoras

Edited April 12, 2012 by terminal

[watch_art]

Ha ha ah ahaaa!!!

 

Leisure suits. That's a pretty good idea.

[terminal]

http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/2/0/0/162/9/AAAAAu5Va7AAAAAAAWKQiQ.jpg

 

Yes *please*