Turning plastic ?

Hey Jeff, For plastics you’re going to want something like this for your finish sanding http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKFINKIT.html

These micro mesh sanding kits go up to 12,000 grit. there’s also some friction polish designed specifically for acrylic pens, but I’ve seen some good results using Mylands friction polish.

As for the corn cob, I assume you can finish it like a regular wood blank, but to keep it from blowing up in the future, try using some thin CA glue as you’re turning it down, if you start to feel it tearing out, stop your lathe and spread the glue on it and either hit it with the hardener or let it dry. CA won’t show up under your finish and will help stabilize and reinforce the blank.

Good luck.

-- "At its best, life is completely unpredictable." - Christopher Walken

I did one of those pen classes at Woodcraft for their circuit board pen (encased in acrylic), and the finishing steps were the micro mesh pads. Recently, I’ve seen them in a catalogue for $12.00 (ish), but I’ve seen them in stores for up to $20. Sanding to 1200 is a great start, then you go through the pads. (And be sure to do them in order. I skipped one, and had to go back to take out a gouge that I accidentally put in.)

-- so, my ego has written checks my skills can't cash.... now what?