Tinted/Colored and Clear Acrylic Sleeves

[rodrigue10]

To all interested in a colored transparent sleeve, these may be a while before i decided to move onto them.

The problem is that i have to order transparent rods in 48" lengths. While there is a lot of interest in the color, i haven't received upwards of 11 for each color. Since they are about $180 a piece it's hard to justify ordering 48" when there is only a few people interested in a color. Blue is close to this so if anything blue will be the first after i get a handle on the costs of making regular Clear sleeves.

Thanks to all those who responded with their interest in the color option.

I will update as i know more.

[blackjeff@aol.com]

I would buy as well,

What do I need to do to purchase a clear from you?

[rodrigue10]

Still working on them...the companies i found seem to not like to deal with acrylic...or if they do they want to charge an arm and a leg.

I have since started to make some on my own time...have had mixed results with them so far, but feel like i am getting a good process down to make them efficiently. It is tricky to get the center bore diameter tight and also make sure it's extremely smooth before polishing...will post a pic of one i have made soon.

[Goldstar]

We are waiting in excitement!

[rodrigue10]

Hey all...Here are a couple pics of a trial run i did...two different sleeves. Things worked pretty good on my initial machining. The inner diameter is very tricky to get correct. I've done some trials and I think i have a good way of getting where i need to be in regards to tolerance. I have been making a great attempt and minimizing the "slop" in the sleeve to make them feel smooth. At the moment the only maze that has not fit is my Silver...she hangs up on one part of the maze...the plating is likely a little thicker than others at that spot. I will probably use my Silver as a standard for bore diameter to help make sure anyone that receives a sleeve will not have any issues.

These sleeves are not as polished as i would like as i do not have the proper polishing materials at the moment to get them where i want them ...just sanded with 2000 grit sandpaper and then a quick run over with my dremel polishing wheel. Not ideal, but I'm making some progress...

The springs i found work well. They are lighter to the touch than the regular spring but they work. Per Chris' feedback/thoughts, the lighter spring may hold some benefit for these plastic sleeves anyway. The screws i have found to plug the hole are allen set screws and do the job nicely. They sit just under or near the surface of the sleeve. I have successfully solved the Orange with and without looking with the current one i have made.

I have some tooling on order along with acquiring some good polishing supplies...might be able to have a handful of salable sleeves by the end of April.

Stay posted as i get closer to a final product...


Mods...feel free to delete the image with the maze core in place...the resolution and blurriness from the sleeve shouldn't reveal anything for those uninitiated with the orange.

[TheJuggler]

Results are looking good. For polishing, pick up a set of these:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200401 ... g-Kit.aspx

which will get you to 12000 grit and the same level of sanding I used.

Also pick up a bottle of this:

http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/200577 ... olish.aspx

for final polishing. If you don't want to spend extra money on the polish, buy a tube of gel toothpaste. It will do the same job, and give the sleeves a minty fresh finish!

[rodrigue10]

Thanks again for the tips Juggler!

[rodrigue10]

Edited:

Removed sale posting and info.

To those that miss out don't fret as i am working on making more!

[BBloke]

Those look bloody cool. Nice job rodrigue10

[halfbake69]

They do look perfect ! Great job !