WEDDING PENS

[plantagenon]

I had just drafted a longer post but the computer crashed and I lost it. Ohh well - :doh:

I haven't made a pen for over three months and I really haven't been in the shed for that long either. A few health issues and dear old lady depression hit for a while. I had an order for a set of wedding pens and it was either do them or find someone to do them this week as time had run out. It motivated me a little and I finally got around to making them. They are top end Majestics set in American Holly which is supposed to be a near perfect white timber. Don't believe everything you read as its closer to a pine colour which was a bit disappointing but the client is happy. The engraving and gold colour filling was done for me by Tony (Perfect Pens and Pencils) who also supplied the kits. I don't think you will get them cheaper elsewhere. As usual my photography is up the creek so the gold doesn't stand out properly. I took a flash shot to try and show it up a bit better.

Anyway these are off to a new home and I have motivated myself enough to start on a Churchill fountain pen/rollerball set I have had sitting for months (also from Tony). They are a beautiful classical kit and very underestimated. I can never find a pen in the house when I need one so the next set is MINE :D


http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=338791&stc=1http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=338792&stc=1http://www.woodworkforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=338793&stc=1

[Ironwood]

Nice work, that's a great looking pen.

[Big Shed]

Top notch work Greg (and Tony):2tsup:

[dai sensei]

Good to see you up and turning again :2tsup:

Pops' Shed had a heap of Holly Blanks last time I was there last year. I picked the best blanks of the bunch for later use, probably as finials rather than pen blanks. A lot of those white timber react to CA too, turning them yellow, had the same problem with my Bonewood. I got the best results with clear boot polish.

[tdrumnut]

Great work Greg and glad to see you back at it, I haven't done any for over 6 months due to the shift but have managed a little time back in the shed over the last week or 2 so hopefully back into some pens in the near future.

[maddog 62]

very nice mate
well done

cheers Tony

[maddog 62]

Good to see you up and turning again :2tsup:

Pops' Shed had a heap of Holly Blanks last time I was there last year. I picked the best blanks of the bunch for later use, probably as finials rather than pen blanks. A lot of those white timber react to CA too, turning them yellow, had the same problem with my Bonewood. I got the best results with clear boot polish.


Clear boot polish?

[dai sensei]

Clear boot polish?

Yep, you can usually get it at your supermarket, also called neutral. Cindy Drozda taught me that one, she often uses it on her finials

[gawdelpus]

Greg ! a worthy return to the "workshop" :) sometimes life and other stuff gets in the way of what we really want to do ,seems you are not alone on this one hehe, I myself have had continuing car troubles for the last few months and my hobby has taken a back seat accordingly ,just finding time to replenish sales stock has seemed like a " chore" at times :( . I will need to get the finger out after yesterday at Broadbeach ,sold 12 pens which is about 10% of stock hehe . So much to do ,and too many choices , I cast my first chyogami pen on saturday so will post a finished pen later :) Cheers ~ John

[plantagenon]

Good to see you up and turning again :2tsup:

Pops' Shed had a heap of Holly Blanks last time I was there last year. I picked the best blanks of the bunch for later use, probably as finials rather than pen blanks. A lot of those white timber react to CA too, turning them yellow, had the same problem with my Bonewood. I got the best results with clear boot polish.

I didn't try Pop's shed. The blanks I got looked more like pine than the pictures I had seen of Holly. Never mind, they were liked. That's an interesting one with clear boot polish. I gather it is buffed in like any other wax?

One I do have a few problems at times with is African Blackwood where I get a good shine from CA and a few minutes later it is gone totally. Seems to just sink into the timber or react with the oil in the wood. I let them dry for a while and then CA again at it usually works but I end up using around 40 coats. Doesn't happen with all the blackwood.

[dai sensei]

...interesting one with clear boot polish. I gather it is buffed in like any other wax?

Yep, I apply with paper towel, then buff with rag

[Perfect Pens]

Hi Greg,

Good to catch up with you on the weekend and good to see the end result. The last photos appear to show the timber in its truer colour. Good to here that your client liked them.

Thanks
Tony

[Dorno]

Greg the pens look great but more important it is good to see you up and about. I have een trying to say hello occasionally through FB but you have been a very hard man to find. I hope you are getting better and I hope to chat with you again soon. Take care mate and keep the chin up and I hope you are back to normal very quickly

Cheers ian

[Christos]

Well done on the pens. Sometimes it is better to take the photo with the flash to compare the two images.