SpliterMagnet's Fiddleback Jarrah

**dabbler** · 4th February 2013, 08:09 PM

A few weeks back, I was one of the lucky recipients of SpliterMagnet's offer of two free sample blanks. Various things go in the way including a workspace cluttered with a family member's furniture in case of flooding (they were okay in the end) but I have had some time and now space to get some work done.

The two blanks I rec'd were as generous in size as any others I've purchased (bigger than some in fact), close enough to square and the one I've worked seemed pretty good and fault-free to me. I plan a Sn Gent for the other.

I owe a friend for an unsolicited favour and his partner thought a Jr Gent Rollerball would suit him. Free blank = Gift pen. I've taken pictures of both sides to show the timber's feature.

The shame of it is, I stuffed up the last stages. All set to clean the inside of the tubes with solvent then run a de-burring tool around the ends before assembly and I dropped both cap and body. On the bare concrete floor. I have been doing this stage inside recently, sitting down at the dining room table but a surprise question on brass swarf made me re-think that practice. I just played dumb at the time and maybe I'm paying for that. The body bounced several times and both ends were badly chipped. The cap bounced into a cardboard box at my feet. Anyway back on the lathe, re-did the body and thought all was okay. Re-squared ends, then went INSIDE to clean and assemble. All went well until I reversed the collar on the nib section fitting without realizing and tried to press the fitting home. Obviously it wouldn't fit but unfortunately the other end has started to de-laminate with the pressure exerted. After the necessary words were spoken, I punched out the fitting and just decided to live the the fault and assemble correctly. After taking photos I notice the cap has slight damage from the floor bounce too.

This will live in the cupboard until I decide what to do. Thanks once again SlpliterMagnet, sorry I couldn't do this one justice.

Untitled-1.jpg Untitled-2a.jpg Untitled-3.jpg

**Perfect Pens** · 4th February 2013, 08:15 PM

Not sure if it is just the photos but it looks like the pen blank could be turned down some more? If it can then bush up turn and finish again

The blank looks too good to be sitting away in a cupboard

Cheers
Tony.

**Trent The Thief** · 4th February 2013, 10:29 PM

The blank and finish are really nice looking. I've had those sorts of accidents with all but finished pens. It's painful work so hard and have it not turn out perfectly.

**artme** · 5th February 2013, 09:17 AM

**tdrumnut** · 5th February 2013, 12:28 PM

Doug I agree with Tony thats to nice to be sitting in a cupboard, rebush, turn off the old finish and put a new finish on it. I have done exactly what you done more than once and it is darn frustrating to say the least. I am tending to move away from CA finishing as my personal belief is that it doesnt take the knocks so well and it gives to much of a plastic look to the timber. I am currently playing with polishing/buffing finishes and are going to try some of Les's finishing techniques.

Cheers Rumnut

**dabbler** · 5th February 2013, 02:09 PM

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

It finished slightly oversize and certainly can be re-worked, so I'll take another crack soon. I have time up my sleeve as my friend doesn't know about the gift. It's only in the cupboard to hide it from public view and certainly deserves better. I told SpliterMagnet in a PM that I would post an image so even though imperfect I decided to go ahead with assembly.

I have been using other finishes and do very little CA now but it was suggested glossy would suit my friend's home office. Some timbers have a lovely scent and it's a nice feature for a pen if you can retain it. I haven't tried Les' method yet and if I ever get more space will give it a go. I finish some coffee tamper handles with poly so have several types on hand.

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