Pen number 2

**macandrita** · 15th October 2017, 08:11 PM

Evening Everyone,

Just completed my second/third pen. IMG_0175.jpg
First attempt at this pen ended in disaster with the wood breaking away from the brass tube during final trim work. I have determined that the hole for the brass tube was way too big and timber ended up far too thin at the ends causing it to chip away. Managed to reuse the brass tube so all was not lost. Took several attempts to get a finish I was reasonably happy with. Plenty of sticky fingers and sand back to bare wood and start again. Someone did say CA finish has a learning curve. It was 6 coats of CA thin and micro meshed to a mid sheen. Much smoother than the first but also a little slippery to hold. I must remember to ask powderpost what the timber was as it was one he gave me to get me started.
Cheers,
Mac

**Simplicity** · 15th October 2017, 08:22 PM

Mac,
Number 2 is great looking pen
Hopefully Gabriel or one of the guys will pop in soon.
They have some great advice on CA finish.
I'm only a little more advanced then you with pens.

Cheers matt

**Gabriel** · 15th October 2017, 10:13 PM

The best advice I can give is this - wear disposable gloves (I use Ansel food handling ones)
My technique is basically from David at timberbits - look his videos up on YouTube. The technique he uses has worked wonders for me.
Slimlines are troublesome as they do require a very thin timber finish to get down to the bushing sizes. Actually, apart from the cost of the kit, I find slimlines very annoying as they take a heck of a lot of work to get looking right.

Another issue could be the humidity - different curing times for the cause because of the moisture in the air can play havok on getting a nice finish.

I don't recommend CA for gluing tour tubes in place - I suggest polyurethane glue for timber pens and epoxy (I use aryldite) for hybrid or resin blanks. Sure the cure time is longer but since swapping I have never list a blank to glue/blank/tube failure.

Your shaping and final pen look great!! Just be wary that it's very addictive and welcome aboard!!

**Les in Red Deer** · 16th October 2017, 01:48 AM

Nicely done.
This product and method works for me.

Les

**JTTHECLOCKMAN** · 16th October 2017, 05:46 AM

Turned out well. Learn from your mistakes and take them lightly. We all make mistakes. As you progress you will look back and see the progress you made over the years. Hold onto your fist pens. Good luck and happy turning.

**DiRob** · 16th October 2017, 06:20 AM

for the extra cost the broadline kits make it a little easier to make pens when you are starting out.

**macandrita** · 16th October 2017, 08:38 PM

Evening everyone,

Thanks for all the comments and advice. Your comments are always welcome and I will be following up on the advise given. Currently doing up a plywood catamaran using epoxy so have a good supply of gloves. Extensive YouTube follower so will check out Dave's channel and compare with what I have viewed to date.
Cheers,
Mac

**artme** · 18th October 2017, 09:26 AM

Very well done!! The shaping is excellent!!

I am not a fan of semi gloss finishes as I don't find the grain stands out enough. Just a personal preference.

CA is not a good thing to use in humid conditions as it can very easily give a milky finish, as do other finishes.

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