Thread: 11 pen blanks in excange for a finished pen!

Hiya RBTCO,

I have gone through my parcel - some lovely timbers in there

There was no note saying which timber you'd like for your pen. Do you have a preference, or are you happy with a lucky dip?

cheers,
dave

My bad... didn't read your post

Lucky Dip is is then!!!

Cheers,
Dave

Hi everyone,

Thanks for being pleasantelly surprised with my "package"

I hope that some of you don't think I'm "cheap" anymore...! just kidding.

I didn't put any pics of the package before hand, as that would spoil the surprise, and I did expect that maybe someone would take a pic of their parcel and show it to everyone but, no one did so, I can now show a couple of pics that I took when I was preparing the bags.

Some other parcels were prepared for overseas forumates, with a few extra things done to them to void any customs problems. The waxing of the banks in full did certainly add to the weigh considerably, with a complete set of one of each of the 25 different timber species, weighing a total of 2.2kg (full packed parcel). Air-freight is always very expensive for these type of weights, so the option was made to send all the overseas parcels by sea-freight (about 4 to 6 weeks delivery). The costs then become quite reasonable with a 2.2kg box with 25 pen blanks (1" x 1" x 5"1/2 fully waxed), costing about AU$37 to Canada. One box had 2 of each species = 50 pen blanks, weighing about 4.150kg send to the UK, for the cost of AU$53.45
Air-freight it works out about 3 times the cost of sea-freight, and that becomes a much less welcome preposition! Maybe a longer wait but it's worth it, I reckon!

It will be interesting to see what some of these blanks will be transformed into!

Cheers
RBTCO

I can show you a photo of the pen I made today from the Poplar you sent. I am NOT making any more pens until I either get a thing for pushing them together or one of those ewin clamps, whichever is cheaper! Getting these things together without damaging any part of them is a pain.

However, having said that, when I stuff up it means I get to keep it, so it's all good!

Zoe says that the swell at the writting end helps her to hold them.

Eliza ! a bench drill if you have one is one of the best ways to press things together ,simply put a bit of hardwood dowel in your chuck to push with,and not damage the metal work. All good though hehe,cheers

I don't think a bench drill would be cheaper then an ewin... much as I'd love one!

Between you and me ElizaLeahy, I use a wooden mallet! I bought a el cheapo drill press (for electric drill sort of thing) and had more disasters than I have had ever with the mallet (touch wood - pun intended ). I have a floor drill press and never used it for pen construction, nor do I use either lathe (as others have mentioned). Many kit styles don't need the pressure that the slim line uses. I also always apply a small amount of good quality sewing machine oil to the mechanism to assist it going into the tube. Not probably the right thing, but it's how I started and how I have continued. JD

hi eliza, i use my lathe for pushing pens together. A piece of timber held in jaws on the headstock, and a piece on the tailstock. Use the quill travel on the tailstock to push in. Only ones i've had problems with are when i've not cleared glue from the tubes properly... Best way to learn what not to do is to do it i guess

Hi Eliza, I take it you mean the Erwin clamp to press your pen together. They need quite a bit of pressure to make them work. and sometimes wont do the job. A small vice does the job nicely although the jaws have to open enough to allow you to place the pen between the jaws to press it all together. If you dont wan to go to the expense of buying something too expensive then use your lathe as mentioned above. easy and cheap as chips.

P.S. Your pen looks good.

I now use a Erwin Quick Grip clamp and so far so good (about 60 pens) I used to use a mallet but I had a bad run an stuffed about 5 out of 10 so I got the s#*ts and bought the clamp.
As Munruben said it does take a bit of effort to push the pen together. If you need to improve your hand strength then go for it. If your not sure see if someone has one you can try first.

Best of luck

I thought this thread was about giving away pen blanks

Originally Posted by ElizaLeahy

I can show you a photo of the pen I made today from the Poplar you sent. I am NOT making any more pens until I either get a thing for pushing them together or one of those ewin clamps, whichever is cheaper! Getting these things together without damaging any part of them is a pain.

However, having said that, when I stuff up it means I get to keep it, so it's all good!

Zoe says that the swell at the writting end helps her to hold them.

Eliza check out this link .... I made one of these and is so simple and works a treat
http://www.woodturningonline.com/Tur...bly_press.html
Regards
Bowl Basher

Originally Posted by Shakie

G,day again Robutacion,

Received the blanks you sent. Very happy thank you. Nice collection. I hope you were happy with the Mango pen.

You placed a small quarter slab in with the blanks. What timber is that??

Once again, thanks. Pleasure doing business.

Shakie

Hi Shakie,

I only today (Thursday the 19/3/09) checked this PO Box for the week and there it was, your magnificent mango pen...!. Nice piece of mango you used, the whole pen is very well made, thank you!

I reckon, I'm going to end-up with the fingers burn, out of my own fire, as my wife certainly developed a taste for wood made pens...! as soon as they come in, the grabs them and say, "I like this one too!"

Those making the pens for me, are welcome to post any pics they have from the pen they made and sent to me, until I get this offer closed and then I will do a little article on all the material received.

Cheers
RBTCO

If the 11 blanks offer is still avalible I would like to get in on this.

Thanks

Troy