What finish do you use on pens?

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  • Jim Boyd
    Veteran Member
    • Dec 2002
    • 1766
    • Montgomery, Texas, USA.
    • Delta Unisaw
    #1

    What finish do you use on pens?

    Just curious. I started with just wax, then Mylands friction finish, then CA glue. My current method is micromesh to 12000 then CA/BLO. I just got the micromesh and boy-howdy! Once you get to 12000 it looks like it has already been finished And using BLO to apply the CA sure cuts down on extra sanding
    Jim in Texas and Sicko Ryobi Cult Member ©
    Tags: None
    • Doug Jones
      Established Member
      • Oct 2004
      • 332
      • Indiana
      • Delta 36-444
      #2
      Jim, your quite a bit more advanced than I am,,, I am still at the Hut friction polish stuff. One day I hope to move beyond that though.

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        • Jim Boyd
          Veteran Member
          • Dec 2002
          • 1766
          • Montgomery, Texas, USA.
          • Delta Unisaw
          #3
          quote:Originally posted by Doug Jones

          Jim, your quite a bit more advanced than I am,,, I am still at the Hut friction polish stuff. One day I hope to move beyond that though.
          Not more advanced, just more time to try stuff
          Jim in Texas and Sicko Ryobi Cult Member ©

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            • Scottydont
              Veteran Member
              • Aug 2003
              • 2359
              • Edmonds, WA, USA.
              • Delta Industrial Hybrid
              #4
              CA/BLO and Micromesh myself. Hut friction polish may look good when then pen is new but the oil on your finger will quickly dull them.
              Scott
              "The Laminate Flooring Benchtop Guy"
              Edmonds WA

              No coffee, no worky!

                Comment

                • Ken Massingale
                  Veteran Member
                  • Dec 2002
                  • 3862
                  • Liberty, SC, USA.
                  • Ridgid TS3650
                  #5
                  Jim, It depends. I've used CA/BLO but I don't care for the high gloss on some woods. Behlen's Turners Finish has become my favorite for now. I get the shine I like and it stays on very well. I have a couple of pens I carry and bang around and the finish still looks great after a quick wipe with a soft cloth. It's tricky to apply without getting finish rings, but not difficult. I'd like to dip in lacquer but I don't like to wait for it to dry before assembly.
                  ken

                    Comment

                    • Tom Miller
                      Veteran Member
                      • Mar 2003
                      • 2507
                      • Twin Cities, MN
                      • BT3000 - Cuttin' it old school
                      #6
                      For anything that will get heavy use, I use lacquer. If you don't like a glossy finish, this stuff isn't for you. But it really holds up to every day handling. I have a pen that I made 1.5-2 yrs ago. It goes in my shirt pocket every day, and the finish doesn't look noticeably different since the first day.

                      I like to apply it kind of thick, which is a little tricky, and must NOT be applied like a friction finish. You'll have a gooey mess on your hands if you do.

                      For everything else, I use the Mylands friction finish. I love how easy (and fun) it is to apply. I usually follow that with a very hard wax.

                      Regards,
                      Tom


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                        • Whaler
                          Veteran Member
                          • Dec 2002
                          • 3281
                          • Sequim, WA, USA.
                          • DW746
                          #7
                          I prefer a soft natural finish rather than the hard gloss of CA or lacquer and use either Hut crystal coat or Behlen turners finish. I think the Behlen's holds up better but both can be rubbed back to a nice finish.
                          Dick

                          http://www.picasaweb.google.com/rgpete2/

                            Comment

                            • Bruce Platt
                              Established Member
                              • Apr 2004
                              • 163
                              • Swanzey, NH, USA.
                              #8
                              I made a few pens with the CA finish, I hated them. Although nice and shiny they were more plastic than wood. I sand to 2000 then use EEE. Then Crystal coat and bowling alley wax. After a while the finsh does wear off, but can be buffed up again with the wax. I like the soft patina and real wood look my everyday pen has aquired. And it feels better in my hand than a plastic pen.

                              Bruce... with my $0.02
                              Bruce Platt

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