Success at last! RMB Black Titanium Baron

**BoomerangInfo** · 11th January 2009, 12:27 PM

Well, after all my hassles with the last two burl blanks, and taking everyone's advice, I finally seem to have got it all to work.

This is a Black Titanium Baron with Red Mallee Burl blank, from the same lot as the first one I blew out last week. I tossed the skew back in the box for this one, sharpened up the roughing and spindle gouges and went to work.

Turned like a treat

. Didn't get anywhere near the finish a skew can give when it's working properly, so I had to do some extra sanding to get the tool marks off the blank, but that's a heck of a lot better than patch up holes & chips with CA all day. Just applied 1 thin coat of CA as I neared the bushes, as the edge looked like it might have been starting to feather, than continued to turn down to the bushes.

Applied a straight Shellawax finish which strangely was shiny off the lathe, but seems to have dulled down quickly, although still satisfactory.

Of course it wasn't all without drama. I really hate the assembly instructions for Sedona's & Barons

. All those little couplers which aren't illustrated very well. This is the 3rd time I've had to disassemble one of these types of pens, as I left the cap coupler insert out of the centre band coupler this time

, so had to disassemble the cap to put it in.

I usually insert a drill bit into the tube, hold the outside blank with my hand, and tap the end of the bit with a hammer to disassemble. Well, this time using a large 11mm titanium coated new bit, my hand seems to have been outside the blank a fair way, and when I hit the bit, it decided to take a bite of my palm & fingers in 5 different places

.

After I got bandaged up (no blood on the pen thank goodness), I decided the bit wasn't a good thing to use

(wasn't working anyway) so eventually I found my new pen disassembly tool - the amazing DYNABOLT! Had one that fit the tube, tightened it up and whacked it with the hammer. A few blows later, the coupler was out. I re-applied another Shellawax coat to the man-handled cap, and put it all back together again. The result is as you see it.

Thanks to all those who offered advice in my other threads. Hopefully I've solved my initial problems. One day I might take the skew to a burl again, but not for now.

Oh, I tried a few different angles in the pictures too. Apart from the image quality (kicks the cheapie camera

) I think they look OK, Whattayareckon?

Russell.

**PenTurner** · 11th January 2009, 12:39 PM

Well, it is an attractive pen, are you going to use it yourself? because if it goes elsewhere that coating won't last. Amos

**BoomerangInfo** · 11th January 2009, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Woodenink

Well, it is an attractive pen, are you going to use it yourself? because if it goes elsewhere that coating won't last. Amos

Supposed to be for my Brother In Law, I'm sure he'll understand....

Russell.

**BoomerangInfo** · 11th January 2009, 12:44 PM

Oh Hey. I just realised, there's a wood spirit in there!

Look at Photo 2. Is having the Grim Reaper in your pen a bad sign??

Russell.

**Brendan1152** · 11th January 2009, 01:17 PM

Looks like Edvard Munch's the 'Scream' to me rather than the Grim Reaper - quick put it on eBay and sell it for a motza!

**Mobil Man** · 11th January 2009, 02:16 PM

Glad it all worked out for you Russell. Turned out real nice. You CAN get the same effect [finishing] with the spindle gouge as you can with a skew. Tip the gouge & rub the bevel. The coarsest grit you'll need is 400. You can also put some thin CA on the ends of the blank next to the tube & let it soak down into the grain & let it dry before truing up the ends. It will also stop the feathering at the ends. Helps stabilize it.

**Mobil Man** · 11th January 2009, 02:33 PM

Russell--PM sent

**BoomerangInfo** · 11th January 2009, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Brendan1152

Looks like Edvard Munch's the 'Scream' to me rather than the Grim Reaper - quick put it on eBay and sell it for a motza!

Yeah it does. Probably could too :P Ya reckon they've sue for breach of copyright?

Russell.

**artme** · 11th January 2009, 04:02 PM

Good onya Boomer!

Great result.

**munruben** · 11th January 2009, 04:27 PM

excellent

**gawdelpus** · 11th January 2009, 07:00 PM

Heh! just shows ta go-ya! crying one day laughing the next, really techniques and not the material ,we do what we have to do to get a certain result, not how you travel,but how you end up , I keep trying with a skew ,but find it slow and awkward ,and stay right away from finishing with it ,others can go from roughing to finishing all in one tool,ah well the spice of life and all that hehe, May be a seling coat before the final finish will help , cheers

**Sawdust Maker** · 11th January 2009, 08:32 PM

Nice effort
How are you finishing? do you have the rpm's up to burnish properly?
and are you using liquid or paste?

**gawdelpus** · 11th January 2009, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by BoomerangInfo

Oh Hey. I just realised, there's a wood spirit in there!

Look at Photo 2. Is having the Grim Reaper in your pen a bad sign??

Russell.

you blokes are weird hehe, looks like a "puppy dog" I guess my shrink will write me off now

**BoomerangInfo** · 11th January 2009, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

Nice effort
How are you finishing? do you have the rpm's up to burnish properly?
and are you using liquid or paste?

Umm, top speed on the lathe (or 2nd top, can't remember). What else was I supposed to be doing??

Russell.

**Simomatra** · 12th January 2009, 08:54 AM

Good looking pen Russel and i like the sprite.

Are you sure that's RMB it looks a bit light in colour.

You need to get some WOP though as what Amos said the shine won't last without some protection.

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