Thread: Pen Tubes

I use them again. I don't like wasting them either. I give them a good scrape with a knife to get off as much CA as I can, then a good scratch with 120 grit sandpaper and then reglue onto the next pen blank.

If you put the pen back on the mandrel it is easier to work on.
Put the skew into a crack or space and pry gently (or not so gently..)
to pull up the broken wood.

As mentioned above, a good scrape with sandpaper and you can use
the tubes again. Put the tubes on the mandrel like you were going to turn
a pen and take some 220 sandpaper and go at it like you're finishing a
pen. It'll clean the tubes right up.

Originally Posted by NewLondon88

If you put the pen back on the mandrel it is easier to work on.
Put the skew into a crack or space and pry gently (or not so gently..)
to pull up the broken wood.

As mentioned above, a good scrape with sandpaper and you can use
the tubes again. Put the tubes on the mandrel like you were going to turn
a pen and take some 220 sandpaper and go at it like you're finishing a
pen. It'll clean the tubes right up.

If there is any larger sections of timber left on the tube that don't want to be pried off, you can safely turn them off using a parting tool. Wear eye protection (which you should be doing on the lathe anyway).

I am up to the third use of a Sierra pencil tube, not happy with the results and they are longer than the pen tubes, so I have to re-use. Just used a scraper and gently turned the wood off.

Once I have most off i leave it on the mandrel and use the body as a scraper and drag along the tube while the lathe is stationary. Then a quick sand.

Hopefully this will be the last use of it.

I find it's better to turn away any timber rather than to try and pry it. Prying it can deform the tube.

A good face shield is recommended though.

After turning the blank away, a quick rub down with 240 grit while still on the lathe will remove most of the glue, although it may still have patchy areas if the tube wasn't truly rounded in the first place. (Or isn't sitting perfectly on the mandrel.)

Don't get too carried away removing old glue - so long as the old glue is well stuck, the tube is rounded and will fit into the drilled blank and/or any externally pressed fittings, then there's no real need to remove it.

I seem to be recycling tubes more then assembling pens at the moment
can't win a bloomin' trick

Originally Posted by Sawdust Maker

I seem to be recycling tubes more then assembling pens at the moment
can't win a bloomin' trick

Join the club. I lost 7 Birds eye Huon X cut in a row yesterday. They were for Jr Gents.

After ever explosion, I resharpened my chisels and the last three, I even stopped the lathe and tried soaking thin CA to try and stabilize the last few millimeters, but unfortunately they still busted.

With the 8th, I sanded that last 3mm and finally came away with a pen.

All well covered by the others I think.

Poor old Artme blew his prized Cobra blank in front of two novices and the " El Maestro " himself.

He composed himself well, but we all know he was hurting inside. At least, he has time to get over it before he turns another pen.

Have a great trip, be good to the cook and Chief Baristra . We hope to see you when you get back.

Why not try Aluminium knitting needles - you can cut to length and are pretty cheap at $0.99 per 700mm. See other thread.