Fresh Batch of Pens

[Russianwolf]

As others have mentioned, this is addictive. Especially when people start paying you for them.

American Cherry Sierra
Aneigre Slimline
Clemson Satin Cigar (Padauk, Purpleheart, Maple) with a band of Alum in it to fix a partial explosion.
Clemson Slimline (Padauk, Purpleheart, Maple)
Honduras Mahogany Slimline
1500 yo Irish Bog Oak Chrome Sierra
Makore Slimline
Spalted Maple Slimline
Spalted Maple Slimline

Person who can guess the origins of the Aluminum I used for the band on the Cigar gets 5000 woodworker's points, heck I might even send them the pen.

I love the Sierras. They have got to be the easiest pen in the world to make. 1 Tube, straight cut, 1 part pressed in and viola. I just hope people want to buy them by thearmful, cause It would be an easy money maker.

The Honduras Mahogany Slimline was a test. I have a commision for a Mahogany Euro and wanted to see if there were any quirks with the wood before trying to do the order. I can now say, Mahogany is nice on the lathe.

[siliconbauhaus]

I see you werent totally busy with the work for the missus then mate

[Russianwolf]

I did have to go buy another box of flooring (the last one in stock of what I needed)

The flooring project looms tomorrow. I knocked out one room in a day before, this one should actually be easier.

But now, Someone is firing fireworks and I have scared pups to tend to.

[DonHo]

All the pens are nice. I agree with you about the sierra pens, very easy to make and they look really nice. I've not tried any glue ups for pens but I've noticed you often use them, how about a few notes on how you go about it ( glueing up the blanks)?

DonHo

[drumpriest]

Nice set, as always, I agree with Don, I've done some glue-ups, but it's always great to hear tips from those with more experience!

[Russianwolf]

I don't know that I have more experience at it guys, but I'll share my technique (which isn't anything special).


All the glue ups I have done to date (with one exception) have been done on the BT3100. Simple straight cuts, glued up long grain to long grain. Regular old Yellow Glue.

Now on the "Clemson" blanks, I cut them at a 40 degree angle after the glue dried. Some of the others where cross cut (these were the ones that had the "stripe" running the length of the pen).

The only exception I've had to date was the Bocote/Wenge Pen. The Bocote was extremely dry and fragile and I lost portions of both halves as I was turning them. I removed the damaged area with a parting tool. I cut Wenge and drilled it and epoxied it on the blank as normal, making sure there was plenty of epoxy between the two woods. Then clamping them tight overnight.

The biggest trick that I've been working on is in the finishing of the pens. If you aren't careful the Padauk and Purpleheart can bleed onto the Maple in my case. I noticed this was especially true if I used the EEE wax polish.

[gwyneth]

Clemson Satin Cigar (Padauk, Purpleheart, Maple) with a band of Alum in it to fix a partial explosion.

Person who can guess the origins of the Aluminum I used for the band on the Cigar gets 5000 woodworker's points, heck I might even send them the pen.

Did it come from a beer can? Or a cigar tube?

As far as mahogany and turning, it makes sense that it would 'work' well--think of all the really elaborate Victorian legs and bedposts that were mahogany.

[mater]

Those are very nice.

[Russianwolf]

Did it come from a beer can? Or a cigar tube?

As far as mahogany and turning, it makes sense that it would 'work' well--think of all the really elaborate Victorian legs and bedposts that were mahogany.

Nope, It's about a quarter inch thick. I'll bet at least 50% of the people on this site can lay their hands on one in a few minutes time. But using it for this purpose may seem blasphemous.

[siliconbauhaus]

you chopped up a spare bt rail for it ?

[Russianwolf]

And the judges say we have a winner. Or close enough.

Well, it's not a rail, but part of the BT's lift mechanics. When I was disassembling the old BT3000 I found at the Recycling Center, one of the screws wouldn't budge that holds the motor mount to the lift mechanism. In my attempts I damaged the part so........ It was sitting in a trash can when I NEEDED a filler for this pen. Viola.

If it had been a rail, you guys would likely have me shot on site.

The Pen is yours if you want it Patrick.

Everyone in the house is napping so I can do the flooring work right now. So I went down for another "quick" session.

Honduras Mahogany in a Copper Euro
Honduras Mahogany in a Titanium Gold Euro (one of three commissioned pieces I have to get out the door)

For those that don't know, the bushings for the 7mm Euro pens from PSI and Berea do in fact match.

[John Hunter]

Very nice.

[lrogers]

Each batch is better than the last Mike. You are getting good at this pen stuff!

[havighurst]

Very nice!