Thread: AUGUST Pen Swap

Nailed it Rich. Each step is getting harder - hope I can pull it off.

Only extra bit to add- I don't plan on wasting the fancy stuff for the core - so will be using a solid bit of redgum or similar, and veneering the sides to that, then turning.

Most of it won't have uniform diamonds - just the way it is, and to do so is beyond me, and definitely beyond the amount of raw material! Already about 2/3 is sawdust, but as I said a while back - "I'm all in"


btw - anyone care that I'm talking about what I'm trying? Or is it meant to be a secret until the final reveal?

Now, why didn't I think of veneeering to a core? Dammit!

I've done similar to Stuart, except I then rolled it 90° and more or less repeated the process... and can't find the "undo" button so I can switch to the veneering route. Even though I'm using a BS instead of a TS like Stu, a LOT of the timber has still headed in the cyclones' general direction. If things go "bang" during drilling (God forbid!) I haven't enough leftovers for repairs. I s'pose I could hit my stockpile for more blanks, but that'd be cheating... (unless I don't tell anyone? )

I think that for pen #2 I'll just cut up a lot of li'l diamonds and glue 'em direct to the tube! Me'n'my silly ideas...

you guys are doing so good. this pen is my first ever segmenting and after seeing your makes me nervous. But I am having fun and learning from your post.
Toni

Yep I am pretty gullible but I got broad shoulders..

My first segmented one too, and yeah - if anything goes wrong at any step, I'm screwed.

It has taken all three blanks to get where I am now. Nearly cried cutting the blanks up - would have loved a pen of that Purpleheart, and also the Pittosperum, but then I now have a definite incentive to get this to work, to justify the sacrifice!

I'm using a bandsaw as well - the TS would have eaten way too much in the kerf. I wouldn't have any timber left without my 1/8" 14TPI bandsaw blade. Even then, between it and the planer (set to .25mm) so much is now dust.


I've been thinking this evening about the frailty of the segmented bits, and I've had another thought. Once I produce the square stock ready for turning, I'm going to laminate another OUTER layer of redgum to it, to box it fully in. Then cut the corners off to get it closer to round. Then, I will begin turning the pen, milling away the outer layer to reveal the segmented layer. This hopefully will provide extra support, hopefully preventing any tendency for breakout, or for the tool to dig in (as it sometimes does when you are first getting the stock to round.) Once my blank is round, I can go as slow as I like until the pattern is revealed.

Overkill? or a good idea? (My segmented virginity is showing)

I personally wouldn't bother with the redgum .... give it a good coating of super glue ..... let it dry ..... trim off the corners on the bandsaw if you like and then start turning. If you are getting a little concerned then another coating of super glue ..... turn .... then more super glue.

I would suggest a trip to the $2 shop where you can generally get 12 tubes of water like glue ..... not great for holding stuff .... but will work well here.

As for the final finish you can leave off the final coating of super glue or alternatively use the BLO CA method with a better quality super glue.

Cool - thanks for that!

Originally Posted by stuart_lees

btw - anyone care that I'm talking about what I'm trying? Or is it meant to be a secret until the final reveal?

I think this is a learning experience for most of us, so I as one welcome the 'open' discussion on this particular theme.

Im sure it will be an easier one next month, like remote controlled under-water pens or something.

Rich.

As iam doing september swap all the blanks are ready to post it will be a lot easer :confused:
Andrew

Cool Andrew What kind of wood do you have coming out for us?
Toni

Stu, I think you'll find that so long as the veneers are evenly glued you'll be right... it's when the glue-work is "patchy" that all sorts of problems rear their ugly heads.

I'm a tad surprised that so many are considering how to replicate the diamond pattern... I was actually thinking more of a patchwork effect than the diamonds themselves. The idea wasn't to be technically challenging... just a guiding theme.

Still, I'm sure there'll be as many variations as there were for the hippotigris pen and am looking forward to seeing the end results!

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Stu, I think you'll find that so long as the veneers are evenly glued you'll be right... it's when the glue-work is "patchy" that all sorts of problems rear their ugly heads.

I'm a tad surprised that so many are considering how to replicate the diamond pattern... I was actually thinking more of a patchwork effect than the diamonds themselves. The idea wasn't to be technically challenging... just a guiding theme.

Still, I'm sure there'll be as many variations as there were for the hippotigris pen and am looking forward to seeing the end results!

I worked out early on, that there would a lot of loss through acumulated saw kerfs, but being somewhat thick, I decided to go for it anyway. Well I've got the first set of cuts done, and have taken a stocktake, and done some quick calcs. The result is, that I might end up with diamonds, but it's doubtful that I'll end up with enough lamination to do anything with. So at this point, I'm going to cut my losses, and try and get 2 pens out of what's left. I suspect the end result will look somewaht peculiar, but think that it would be better to at least make 2 pens.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Stewart ends up with, and really hope that he makes it. I suspect that you really need about 300mm of each material, to stand a fighting chance.

Originally Posted by Skewpid

Ok, FINISHED!

Just kidding, I wish this was my effort. Found them while getting some inspiration and thought Id post em.

Only $10,000 each. Bargain.

Certainly some work went into that one.

Dazzler / Skew ChiDAMN - The August swap has really got me interested. I'll leave it for this month, too late for the mail man, but will try if I have time next month. Having said that, I have my own purpleheart/redgum etc, might give it a try anyway. I'll only post a pic if successful

Good luck to all

stuarts idea looks really good ( and time consuming ). if it turns out it will put my pen to shame IMO.

Originally Posted by ss_11000

stuarts idea look really good ( and time consuming ). if it turns out it will put my pen to shame IMO.

Thats why he needs lots of "good" advice