Sled for Celtic knots (Pens)

[Bill in Buena Park]

I haven't made a Celtic knot pen yet (but getting closer). I've seen some very simple set ups for the BS using a miter gauge, stop blocks, and tilting the table; I've also seen set ups for something similar on the tablesaw making non-thru miter cuts (but this leaves a sizable kerf).

I really didn't want to adjust my BS table, and I keep my miter gauge set up for my tablesaw and didn't want to mess with that. I wanted to set up something of a multipurpose pen sled to do crosscuts, through and non-through, and miter cuts where I can vary the angle of the cut to change the amplitude of the "wave" in the knot - i.e., a thick knot with big curves, or a thinner knot with less curve.

So I made the little BS sled in the picture below from shop scraps, with two fences and using two stop blocks. Then I took some cherry blanks sized for Wallstreet pens, some scrap Kiawe in thin slices, and put together 6 pieces (slices set with HF epoxy - love this stuff).

Haven't turned these yet, but hope to in the next day or so to see how they came out internally. I'll post a pic or two of results. The last picture is some of the other wood I cut up into blanks today in addition to the aforementioned cherry. Thanks for looking.

[leehljp]

A hint that might help: on the sled - the fence guides, I know that they are already set in place perfectly, but if you make another one or if you can take the fence guides up, . . . make a small chamfer on the bottom of the fence that faces the blank so that sawdust will have a place to flow. That little chamfer comes in real handy and can prevent a miniscule angle alignment problem.

[dbhost]

Nice idea. Looks like it should make prepping the blanks easier..

[Bill in Buena Park]

Thanks Hank - the fences (and miter bar) are screwed on, so can be removed and chamfer added. Good idea, didn't see much sawdust, but good prevention.

Dave - keeping my fingers crossed that this works, and that I can drill a perfectly centered hole...

[Black wallnut]

That looks like a great jig Bill!

[frumper64]

On drilling a centered hole - I finally gave in and bought the PSI economy 4 jaw chuck and a set of the pen blank drilling jaws. The combination is great for drilling the blanks and really centers the hole nicely. Way better results than I ever managed with a drill press.

[Bill in Buena Park]

Thanks Mark.

Jim - I also bought the PSI 4-jaw economy chuck (this one) a while back, and used what I assume are the #1 jaws (i.e., not the #2 dovetail jaws) it came with, and it did what appears to be a good job. I guess I'll find out when I get a chance to turn the blank, hopefully tonight.

[Bill in Buena Park]

Here are the results, freshly turned and sanded but without finish. I'm not unhappy with the results of my first attempt, but did learn the importance of ensuring the blank is absolutely square when you make the cuts for the inserts, as the pattern does have a very minor geometry issue. Should have this finished and installed on a pen tomorrow, will post finished item then. Thanks for looking.

[Black wallnut]

Very nice Bill!

[Brian G]

Looks great, Bill. Celtic knots are fun. Only a pen turner who has made one would notice the geometry issue, and only a jackass pen turner would point it out.

I like the "tighter" knot in the first photo. What pen style are they for?

[Bill in Buena Park]

Thanks Brian. This first batch will be put on Wall Street II and III kits. I may try to decrease amplitude/tighten the knot further on the next batch, see how that works out, and try to incorporate on a two-part twist pen or capped pen.