Thread: Second Pen Just Completed

Hey David,

Not a bad pen, as I figgered out long ago, everybody 'Started out' once and you only get better as time goes on, your imagination will take over one day and you will be doing stuff that, at this stage of your career, you will think is out of the park. Keep going mate it only gets better from here. Them head colds don't help do they?

HazzaB

Congratulations David, Looks good to me.

Aha! YOu , my friend are certainly hooked. Already looking for better ways to do things.

That is a nice pen. Well done.

Now David,
You must stop now, or you'll become obsessed with pens.
(I reckon he's a gone coon already)

Yep its all to late. I was at mates yesterday and scavenged some off cuts for about 50 more pens. Already made a couple 15 deg blanks out of a bit of red cedar, shame its so cold or I'd be out there turning now.

Its a pity I dont have a better camera and had a clue about photography as that 2nd pen looks much nicer IRL even if it is a basic slimline.

David, new to pens myself in fact any woodwork hehe! but I use a marker pen to make a parrallel line in the blank then either number or alphabetisize if that a word on each end of the line,When I cut them to length I only leave about 1/16 extra length on each blank,more if you are not too sure of how your equipment will go squaring the ends to length later. I cut the first blank off to length then I square off the second bit at the cut end and cut it off to length at the other end from centre. So result is only a bandsaw cut out of the blank grain and a very small amount off the joining faces. When I drill I make sure the marked faces ,which is the centre of your original piece,both face me in my drill jig ,and drill from that point towards either end of blank.Result is that if the drill runs out a bit ,and it can, both your holes start in the centre of your pen at the same place and will almost always be in line at your join, the small bit missing is taken up by the band. Also I insert my tubes from the centre out and only just have them inside the blank enough for a small cleanup.Damn this takes a lot longer to explain than actually do it ,Hope I have not confused you too much hehe, cheers ,And happy turning.

Looking good, Dave, keep it up!

Originally Posted by DavidW

This got me thinking, why hasnt anyone come up with a method of drilling the full lenth and cutting after?

I suspect it would be too long and as the drill follows the grain of a blank it may start to wallow out parts of the blank and possibly snap the drill bit.

Originally Posted by DavidW

Please excuse the picture quality, they are being taken with the digital equivilent of a box browny

I've just posted a blog of some photo tips I posted a couple of years ago (blatent attempt to try and get people using the blogs more). You might find some of it helpful and looking at your pics my two early suggestions are get more light on the subject and you might be getting too close to the subject without using the macro function (if your camera has it).

Welcome to the madness!! 2nd pen ... just the beginning. At least your timber should help clear the head as it's turned .. it smells great!

JD

You're hooked now!!
Keep up the good work!

David i see an improvement already, looks like you made the grade!Amos

David, coming along nicely. The Camphor would help the head cold too, I love the smell of it on the lathe.

Gawdelpus has given you a lot of good tips for maintaining the grain in the two barrels.

Originally Posted by Buzz

David, coming along nicely. The Camphor would help the head cold too, I love the smell of it on the lathe.

Gawdelpus has given you a lot of good tips for maintaining the grain in the two barrels.

Agreed, I'll try Gawdelpus's tips for the next pen Friday arvo, thats twice ive had an issue and the fix has been simple and best of all free

I'm not really happy with the finish using shellwax but i'm sure its something im doing wrong, i'll try a different cloth and a few more coats on the next pen.

David,
Nice looking pen. I really like the grain in that wood. As for the finish, I recommend reading all the posts and seeing how others do their finish, and try them all until you find one that suits you.

Rick

Hi again david as I am new to all this I have only tried shellawax myself. but the trick I'm told is most people use too much to start, I use it like "Brylcreem" a litle dab will do ya' hehe
I just wipe it on with the lathe stopped along the grain and make sure there is no excess, then I am spinning at about 1500 rpm and get it hot enough to bond into the surface ,it is a friction polish so it does take heat to get it working ,the shine comes up pretty quick ,and you can add another coat if you like after that,it's a bit of trial and error ,and may not be as long lasting as some of the other possible finishes,but leaves the wood with a nice smooth feel ,very tactile But like all things experience is the best teacher ,I now use u,beaut eeultra shine to fine cut the wood before the shellawax,as its a very fine abrasive and does prepare the surface after sanding to an even smoother finish, have fun it will get easier as you go.