Thread: Finally did some pens

Very nice, all!

Interesting on the alabaster, My roomie is into lapidary and encouraging me on about "turning some rocks for pens". I guess I had better start listening .

Like the shapes, they just look comfy!

Looking good Rick , timber ones are the best for me

You have got to love it that timber cut on the cross may be a pigs ear to turn but sings when it comes off.The Alabaster was a good experiment but solid stuff without fractures are rare,the pen you have will remind you of the success factorn nothing ventured etc,there is a future for the Soy mix I feel and the timber speaks for itself.
Regards Peter

Someone said that the wood speaks for itself, I think it saying,"come on Amos, buy me, buy me!" Very lovely pens, love the wood, and what depth comes from the Alabaster!, is it heavy to hold?? Am os

Nice looking pens Rick,
I always wanted to try alabaster also but never got there yet, looks like I may have to

I have got to say that the alabaster has been the most challenging material I have ever worked with. All in all, I have turned five of them. Four of those cracked quite a bit once I got the blanks to near size. On this one, I turned the blank round and brought it down to size via 100 grit sand paper. Talk about a long and messy process. My goal was to see if it was the chisel causing the cracks, and it was. When I assembled this one, I got a couple of minor cracks. The other drawback to using the alabaster is that it is a little soft and if you put it in your pocket with keys, they will scratch it pretty good (at least the scratches rub out easily).
I also tried putting the alabaster in a vacuum with urethane. That was messy. The next morning, there was a fairly thick coat of alabaster slime all over it. Haven't turned that one yet.
I had absolutely no problems turning the ziricote even though it was cut cross-grain. The first one I did I had the lathe on max speed just to see if there would be problems with the blank cracking. I was also being more aggressive with the chisel than normal. Not one problem. On payday, I am heading up the road a bit to pick up more. I have two places to buy it from, one sells it for $6 per pound and the other sells it for $16 per board foot.

Cheers,

Rick

they all look very good well done, the last one is my pickof the bunch,

Originally Posted by ScrollZilla

I have got to say that the alabaster has been the most challenging material I have ever worked with. [ ... ]

Rick

My roomie who is seriously into lapidary has been encouraging me with using rocks for pens. She recommends diamond tools and somehow using her lapidary machinery.

Haven't gotten my head wrapped around it yet though. Perhaps a blank (core drill?) on the faceting indexer (would require some adapters) might well work on her factor or possibly a round template on the cabochon preformer might work too, but that would seem it would take a LONG time to do. Fascinating concept to be sure.

Take care, Vikki.

Heh Rick
Real nice selection of pens. You have been busy

I particularly like the Ziricote it looks fantastic

The second composite one is very unusual

Vikki,
Most of what you said went way over my head. I have never done lapidary work or used a real lathe lol. I would be happy to send you a couple of blanks if you would like. Send me your address, and I can get them in the mail.

Old Dog and Sam,
Thank you for the compliments. I was really surprised with the ziricote. The woodgrain is incredible. That composite is weird. I will have to do a couple more pens to decide if I want to buy some of it for blanks. Unfortunately, the company only sells it in 3' x 6' lenghts. I guess I could get a few blanks out of that. From their literature, they have several colors. Maybe if, when I call them, I pout a bit and beg and plead, they will sell me half boards. Then I could afford a few colors.

Cheers,

Rick

Originally Posted by ScrollZilla

Vikki,
Most of what you said went way over my head. I have never done lapidary work or used a real lathe lol. I would be happy to send you a couple of blanks if you would like. Send me your address, and I can get them in the mail. [ ... ]

Over my head too, but my roomie knows what she is talking about (I watch her do it) so I can quote her with authority LOL.

Thanks for your kind offer, but for now we are in an apartment and clean up for anything to do with dust is a nightmare. With any luck at all we will be moving into someplace where I can at least take it outside without a plummet to the ground 4 floors below .

I'll be following your adventures here and perhaps I might ask again when I can actually work on it?

Between the tiny pen lathe and my home made dust collector for the shop vac ("carpet cleaner" ) I can do something here and for now that is keeping me sane .

Thanks very much & take care, Vikki.

Hi Rick

the composite one is good, looks a bit like red granite; the alabaster is excellent and who can fail with cocobolo. Good one mate.

Tom

Fox3

the idea of a facetted pen sounds really fascinating. conjures up some good mind pictures like looking into a kaleidoscope.