Thread: First (successful) pen

Russell for a first up attempt that is a good start. Don't forget to keep it as a yard stick so that you can measure your progress

Nothing wrong with it at all... if I had to find something it looks like the clip end may be a little overturned (but my first was a hell of a lot worse than that). What's the finish?

Originally Posted by corbs

Nothing wrong with it at all... if I had to find something it looks like the clip end may be a little overturned (but my first was a hell of a lot worse than that). What's the finish?

Yes it is overturned. This is the blank I was talking about in my "overturned" thread that everyone said I should trash.

Sorry I forgot the specs. It's NG Rosewood, sanded to 1200, then MM to 12000, homemade WOP finish (60% Instant Clear/40% Turps), 3 coats sanded, and 3 or 4 coats non sanded (lost track as I have several going at once, but at different stages). Final MM 6000 - 12000 and Brasso polish.

Russell.

Bloody hell... first pen and he's talking like a pro. Nice work and keep em coming.

I sympathise the kits sometimes do lock up asa you press, suggestion as requested go to or locate a Jayco store. They sell a long slowly tapering reamer that is ideal for the purpose and I use one a lot to gently provide a great entry for the tip, winding mech and the top.

Also a lot depends on how you press and the accuracy of perfect entry for the parts as you press, I include a pic of what I use it is called a one ton bearing press I have modified at the bottom or anvil end, I also use it at eye height to enable me to eyeball the entry angle and with a firm but gentle touch you can soon become expert at using it.

Have success Peter
PS Just for fun my sharpening stone for chisels pic.

Nice pen Russell - great effort - into wop straight away, gamer then me.
don't ya hate it when you overturn - can't put it back on, worse luck. I got too carried away sanding the other day and

My first effort is somewhere on these threads
Looks ok, but the wood on the tip end barrel has come unstuck, moves freely and makes it difficult to use the twist mechanism. must have made some sort of mistake

That's a great start, Russell. Beats my first pen hands down. Looks like you are off to a great start.

Thanks all for the replies.

The 5 kits you get in the starter pack are all in the process of being finished now, so I can't turn any more blanks until I get some new kits Looks like it's back to turning eggs until my next order shows up

Russell.

Russell

You might want to look at buying extra brass tubes then you can turn till your hearts content

Let's face it ,penmaking is a craft and a test of creativity,more advanced turners will try more advanced techniques, that's the way it is,If you put that on a bench with a bunch of other pens of various persuasions ,anybody not into penmaking would think there was nothing wrong with it In the first few weeks or months we learn and try and experiment and learn some more,in fact we never stop learning ,ergo improving our craft in sometimes minor ways ,bottom line depending where we are on the pen path they will keep on getting better and better, as is said here time and time again ,so for a first pen it is magic if a little expensive hehe,better keep it as said for a memory,not that its not worth selling or giving away,but because it has a special place in your world. Cheers russel well done .

1. Turning is fun.
2. Screwing up is educational.
3. Ending the day with something to show for your efforts is a BONUS!

Nice job

Well done, Russell. Welcome to the start of the addiction.