Cherry Slimline - First Turn

[bfrikken]

So, here it is, my first pen. I knew it would be a learning experience, but man did I learn a lot. I won't say how much time went into the pen. It is cherry from a scarp board that I had been holding onto for a while. A lot of the board is waiting for another project to determine what to do with it, but I have around 10 more blanks from what I cut from it.

I have a serious new afliction ... turning...

[DonHo]

It looks good to me, I'd say your first turning went well.

DonHo

[mater]

Very nice looking pen. My first one didn't look that good.

[bigstick509]

[jking]

Looks good. Just wait until you start trying new pens styles & different finishes. There's a lot of options to discover.

[Whaler]

Looks like you are off to a great start.

[DUD]

It looks good, Now the addiction really begins. Bill

[bfrikken]

Thanks for the feedback. I put a big 1.5" x 1.5" x 8" board in the lathe and spent a good 20-30 minutes getting more familiar with my tools. I only have a gouge, skew, and parting tool. I'm really enjoying the turning, it feels very creative.

[pacwind3]

I like turning and keep trying to make more time for it.
To me, it's the only tool that you can go out and just play on it.
You don't exactly "play" on the table saw or drill press to hone your skills.
But you do on the lathe.

[BigguyZ]

One thing I really like about turning, especially pen turning, is that most pen blanks aren't very expensive. So, for a dollar or two you can get a pen blank of an exotic wood, and get some experience with that material. It's a little different that working with a board, certainly. However, you can still get a pretty good feel for how that wood machines and finishes...

[RayintheUK]

That's a great-looking pen, especially for a first attempt - well done!

Looks good. Just wait until you start trying new pens styles & different finishes. There's a lot of options to discover.

It's true that there are lots of options, but I would make at least another three or four slimlines first, because you'll then become familiar with that style before moving on.

I only have a gouge, skew, and parting tool.

The vast majority of my pen turning is done with a large (razor sharp) roughing gouge and a 1.25" skew. I just couldn't get on with supposed pen-turning tools, not enough stability or control for me.

Ray.