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Better than making to his specs, get him with you on the lathe and you will both be rewarded with his efforts.

As their commercial went (a long time ago!).......it's the real thing!

As they say "if it works don't fix it!"

John

penblanks.ca would be my recommendation for a source. They have a very good web site and a good variety. And I have no involvement with the firm apart from buying from time to time.

John

A multi tool is relatively safe, even though you have a completely exposed blade, but using the blade you showed, in a sander, is really unsafe. Please stay away from that, use the hack saw and...

With luck, you'll never grow up, you'll always enjoy playing and most of all, enjoy it. Best wishes.

John

The one I use is from Easy Wood Tools, and it is the rougher that is used for pen making. I know it sounds wrong, but that's the one to use. I believe there are two sizes in this line, and I have...

I have been using a similar tool, different brand, for about a year now. It is great on wood, trying when used on resin. I have normally knocked off the corners of resin blanks with a band saw then...

And Happy Birthday from Canada too Peter. Good health and many more.

John(Canuk)

And I will second and third what was said before. You did a fine job with what you have, and congratulations. The appearance is what appeals to you, unless you are going to market your work. You...

And God bless us everyone.

John

Really like them Ian (for me, much better than snakes - brrrrrr)

John

I've been looking at this kit, and I'm glad to hear that it is a good clicker. Now I think I will give it a try. I really like the looks of the one you posted. Nice work. I hope I can do as well....

Even though I am thousands of miles away, I have followed the preparations for your day. I would love to have been there with you, and the best part of the thread was to see the pictures of all the...

In observation of November 11, I want to give thanks to all our veterans and our servicemen and women who have given so much for our countries. God bless them.

Is this a kit, Les, or is it a scratch built?John

Hope I'm not high-jacking this, but I had to ask Les........what about legally shot deer antlers. Are these not legal for pen making purposes in Alberta? I have a deer hunter friend that I can have...

Hope this is not too late to contribute. I was reading an article on this subject recently. According to the author, only nut oils will dry, as in walnut, linseed or tung. Not peanut oil, peanuts...

The European was my first try at turning a pen, and before I found out about this site. It was a mess, of course, about the first time in 60 years since I used a lathe. Nevertheless a good learning...

The pen is abolutely beautiful, gives a new meaning to recycling! I was very curious, was this timber/sleeper soaked in creosote? The sleepers (railway ties) in Canada are, and I remember very...

Not to mention, you meet some great people from all over the world. I think the best people are here.

John Canuk

I've only used a 1/2 spindle gouge and when I'm really brave, my skew. It seems that when I was starting out about five years ago, whatever one read, the only thing to use was a skew. That didn't...

I can understand completely how you feel. I started in this addiction about 4 years ago, and came across BLO, BOW, and quite a few others and it was a mystery. My suggestion is when there is an...

Good looking twins, too. 303's my military rifle, but that was long ago. Also, like the clip, the it (the rifle) has a box type mag, like the one on the old Lee Enfield. Who was your supplier for...

Another bit of advice in case it hasn't been mentioned........very sharp tools are needed. I have good luck with a 1/2" gouge, but it must be extremely sharp. And I go beyond the 12,000 MM, I use...

Glad to see things have improved with new chisels and getting straightened out with the set-up.
I hope you aren't related to a Canadian Tire person, being here on your side of the pond,...

This topic has come up previously. Sending wood through the post is OK just as long as there is no bark - that seems to be the big bugabear, as it seems borer holes are up there too. I have been...

I was dropped, at least on logging in it refused me, saying I wasn't registered. I had been logged on yesterday, so something happened in the interim. Just re-registered and all seems OK now.
...

Thanks for letting us know Amos. My thoughts prayers and well wishes are with him from this side of the world.

John

My first reaction when I looked at the pens was Wow the Aus $ is sure colourful. Nonetheless the pens are really beautiful. Cutting up a real $50 would be painful not to speak of highly illegal.
...

Been there, done that, Xmas before last. Not quite so many - 30+, just when I had become involved in this addiction. As others have said, Sierras are a good choice. That's what I went for, they...

Thanks very much everyone. I will be doing some more experiments.

I am looking for some advice, I have finally started using BLO as a finish on wooden pens, but I wonder if it is a durable finish. Should I be using a harder finish on top of it? If so, what? CA?...

Bringing/sending wood into Canada essentially the same as most elsewhere. No bark! Lumber/timber is OK just as long as there is no bark. I was told by the border officers if you wanted to bring in...

Looking at your pen from stone twigged something in my memory. I have a block of soapstone in the workshop from many years ago. It's the material natives in Northern Canada use for carving, so I...

Thanks very much. Been looking in for the past year, admiring all the good work being turned out.l Makes me try harder. Don't know if this is the way to reply, but here goes.

:((Just read about the confiscated mailing. There's a bit of a problem in Canada/USA right now, the Emerald Ash beetle is decimating the ash trees and Customs is really hot on stopping anyone moving...

Just a bit late on this topic, but anyway......no problem bringing/sending pen blanks into Canada. I have been bringing lumber into Canada from the US for some time now, declaring it to customs and...