Cactus Fountain Pen-Closed End

**PenTurner** · 12th July 2009, 08:59 PM

Have been working on these blanks from TurnTex woods in USA, I have only read about them before. The pen is a Churchill, and this time I went for another first, making a custom made grip. The material turns fairly easily, and- if it was just a straight out pen without the closed ends it would be like turning acrylic and should be fairly easy. However, when turning the blanks for closed ends,- the closed end becomes quite weak and care needs to be taken not to break the end off. I saw an article on the Pen Makers Guild site by Rich Kleinhenz, "making a wooden grip", he describes a Gentleman's pen grip, I used the principles for the Churchill, I found that there is only a very small fraction to play with on the grip and possibly will leave it a little thicker next time round. I used the Mandrel from Les Brindley in NZ for the 1st time to turn the grips, and am very pleased with the ease of use.
Besides all that, I hope you like the pen, your comments are welcome.

Amos

**dj_pnevans** · 12th July 2009, 09:10 PM

You rock that is a very cool pen, so how much longer will it be before you make the whole pen. Well done.
David

**Sawdust Maker** · 12th July 2009, 09:13 PM

Brilliant
go to the top of the class

**poulso** · 12th July 2009, 09:14 PM

Very nice Amos

**gawdelpus** · 12th July 2009, 09:24 PM

Very impressive ,great material ,and a very delicate touch to do the fiddly bits . well done indeed

**MBUMIK** · 12th July 2009, 09:34 PM

WOW, what more can one say

**Skew ChiDAMN!!** · 12th July 2009, 09:35 PM

OK, Amos. Now let's see you turn one while still green...

**Big Shed** · 12th July 2009, 09:44 PM

Great pen Amos, have admired those cactus blanks for quite a while (have actually gone as far as collecting some wheel cactus-prickly pear).

Like the way all your recently acquired techniques have come together here, closed end, embedded clip and now you have turned your own section/grip, very well done.

Did you find that Les' mandrel aided this project, or could you have done this on a standard mandrel as well? It looks an interesting concept either way.

Again, well done, have a greenie

**Dangermouse** · 12th July 2009, 10:06 PM

Very impressive, Amos, well done!

**rhossack** · 12th July 2009, 10:19 PM

Outstanding!

**rhossack** · 12th July 2009, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Great pen Amos, have admired those cactus blanks for quite a while (have actually gone as far as collecting some wheel cactus-prickly pear).

Wheel cactus? ... had to go look and it looks like the same stuff we have here. Do yours get yellow flowers that turn to red fruit like ours?

The young paddies (nopales) make a great dish. Just slice up them into green bean size slices and cook over steam and the fruit makes lovely jam.

Gather up the old pads and you'll be making your own blanks before long.

**Big Shed** · 12th July 2009, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by rhossack

Wheel cactus? ... had to go look and it looks like the same stuff we have here. Do yours get yellow flowers that turn to red fruit like ours?

The young paddies (nopales) make a great dish. Just slice up them into green bean size slices and cook over steam and the fruit makes lovely jam.

Gather up the old pads and you'll be making your own blanks before long.

Absolutely no idea! They are a declared noxious weed in our parts, so perhaps we should try an convince people to eat the bl**dy things, don't look at me though

**rhossack** · 12th July 2009, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Absolutely no idea! They are a declared noxious weed in our parts, so perhaps we should try an convince people to eat the bl**dy things, don't look at me though

They're the same ... went and did some searching.

They grow like a weed and all over the place.

Actually they taste pretty good and they are good for diabetics (according to some Mexican friends).

Take a young leaf and then turn on the gas stove and burn the needles off of them and then slice them up and steam them.

Start a new fad there ... I'm sure you won't hurt the population of cactus by whet you and your neighbors can eat

**HazzaB** · 12th July 2009, 10:57 PM

Hey Amos,

Simply Stunning, really good display of your Talents

HazzaB

**timberbits** · 13th July 2009, 05:41 AM

Hi Amos

Thats a great looking pen.

Might have to do what the others are saying, eat and turn some of thoes cactus!

Thanks for sharing.

Timberbits.

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