Sometimes things work out..

**NewLondon88** · 21st July 2008, 10:53 AM

I was trying out some new things after spending Saturday night watching videos of metal turning. I guess that was in my mind when I hit the workshop this morning, because I found myself drilling on the lathe and then FACING MY BLANKS!

Well, it worked! Best alignment I've had in a while. I'm still working on a jig, but having trouble finding the machine shop I can work with.

Anyway, I spent an hour or so fiddling with the chuck .. the spindle, replaced the bearings with the old ones, adjusting the threaded insert etc.. finally got pretty much wobble free on the chuck. Drilling went smoothly and so did the facing.

Found two ten packs of cigar pen kits I forgot I had. (SCORE!)

Didn't want to try anything new on a good blank, so I chucked up a black acrylic I had as a spare for a wedding set. Just for kicks, I tried out a black titanium cigar kit on the black acrylester.. thinking "That's a lot of black!"

Well, it worked! I was shocked at how well it worked. First thought that went through
my mind is "This is something Batman would probably write with"

Finished that up and immediately scrounged up another acrylic blank .. this one was
called "Molten Metal" .. sort of multi colored ..but two different sets of colors on the
left and right.

So, of course I had to name them Dark Knight and the Joker

**PenTurner** · 21st July 2008, 11:37 AM

Dark Knight and Joker look great, should make it to the box office! Amos

**Penpal** · 21st July 2008, 12:11 PM

The joker is wild and the Black Night signals a new day for your pens they sure are looking up.

What a contrast simple and extravagent. The colours are nothing short of beautiful yet peacefull to me. As a true black the pen finish is glowing with the care you demonstrated.

You better send me the plans for your pen blank facer again I would like to see your latest design and perhaps make one for you and me.

Regards Peter

**Buzz** · 21st July 2008, 01:40 PM

Great looking pens. The black is particulary nice. It is surprising how well plain colours do work, simple and elegant.

I recently finished a batch of Sedona F/P's for a customer who just wanted a set of straight colours. I've so far made him one each in white, black, green, navy blue and red. He now reackons he wants the same again in rollerballs!!

**artme** · 21st July 2008, 01:45 PM

Really wonderful results. Keep it up!

**Simomatra** · 21st July 2008, 02:24 PM

Both very nice NL I have tried to get the molten metal blank several times but always out of stock it is very popular. Like the black Acrylester has some real class

**ciscokid** · 21st July 2008, 09:04 PM

I like the black one. What kind of finish do you apply to an acrylic pen?

**Sawdust Maker** · 21st July 2008, 09:29 PM

The black is good, v v good

**ScrollZilla** · 21st July 2008, 11:30 PM

I am really surprised at just how good the black blank with black kit looks...very nice. Your choice of the gold kit with the molten blank was just as good. They make a great pair.

Rick

**NewLondon88** · 21st July 2008, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by ScrollZilla

I am really surprised at just how good the black blank with black kit looks...very nice. Your choice of the gold kit with the molten blank was just as good. They make a great pair.
Rick

Thanks.. it was a surprise to me, too.
I didn't know I was putting the black ti on the black until I went to assemble it.
I was thinking classic gold on black and decided to hold them parts against the
black to see how it looked.

It came together but it was all accident, not a great sense if style or taste.

**schaf** · 22nd July 2008, 06:08 AM

I will go with the black. It looks great.

**NewLondon88** · 22nd July 2008, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by ciscokid

I like the black one. What kind of finish do you apply to an acrylic pen?

No finish .. as in nothing extra applied. Just sanded and micromesh. I have some
plastic polish, (Novus) that works well, but I'm not sure of the grit. By eye, I can't tell
past about 12,000 so I'm not sure if it is getting better or worse.

**dhurrang** · 22nd July 2008, 11:00 PM

Does this signal an end to the lathe alignment problems???

**NewLondon88** · 23rd July 2008, 09:27 AM

Originally Posted by dhurrang

Does this signal an end to the lathe alignment problems???

LOL .. no, not quite. But it did teach me that with a LOT of work, I can get closer.
For instance, I have to stop turning before I get down to the bushings, drag out the
magnifier and turn the blank halfway around on the bushing. Then I scrape gently.
When I get down close, I'll just ignore the bushings and sand to the final size using
the digital calipers to measure the blank ends and the actual parts.

Using the dovetailer on the ends, I approached the blank like you would face
a cylinder on a metal lathe. That part worked out great!

I'm thinking that I should just finish putting together the parts on the metal lathe
and use the Jet for buffing wheels only..

**Sawdust Maker** · 23rd July 2008, 11:48 AM

I'm sure someone would sell you a small vicmarc

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