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View Full Version : Pens Blanks - branches or quarter sawn.



rodm
10th March 2004, 10:45 PM
I want to make a pen and pencil set from a fallen branch. I have the option to select an pen sized section or to rip down a larger section to make a quarter sawn square blank.
Given that the smaller section would have the central growth rings drilled out and a brass insert glued in will the finished pen be likely to split? I would prefer to do it this way because it would give a much better grain pattern than quarter sawn.

tonks
13th March 2004, 02:16 PM
I turn a lot of pens using York gum. Rather than drilling through the guts of the growth rings I offset the hole so that the finished product shows the different collours form the rings along the length of the pen.

rodm
13th March 2004, 11:28 PM
Thanks Allen
That answers my question and your tip about offsetting the hole is clever.

glenn k
14th March 2004, 04:54 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by rodm
rip down a larger section to make a quarter sawn square blank.
QUOTE]
Sorry but you can't get a quarter sawn square section that isn't back sawn aswell. Or all square sections are quarter sawn and back sawn.
This terminology only works for non-square sections.

rodm
14th March 2004, 10:43 PM
Thanks for explaining that Ken.
Should have I said a square blank from a quarter sawn plank.
Would that be more correct?

glenn k
22nd March 2004, 10:45 PM
Yea that sounds better:D