Alum. Sierra

[DozerMite]

This is my first attempt at turning aluminum and my first turning between centers. The blank and bushings both came from John Goodin (johnnycnc). After turning between centers, I will never go back to a mandrel. There is absolutely no vibration and no chatter. Thanks John!


It's a platinum sierra click.

Thanks for looking.
All comments welcome.

 

[R2]

A beautiful pen!![]

 

[DozerMite]

I tried to get a better picture to show the polish, but this thing just reflects like a mirror.
Anyway, here is a different pic.

 

[Firefyter-emt]

Very nice job, I like the bead... That's a first witht the metal blanks, I believe.

Oh and I hat to say I told you so, but I told you so.. Welcome to the dark side [}]

 

[jwoodwright]

Nice pen. The bead is really a nice detail.

 

[karlkuehn]

Great looking pen, you just sold me on the aluminum blanks with the lovely bead and nice shape - really great work! I have to get a dead center and try it that way...

 

[GregMuller]

Nice looking pen. I am curious how you made the bead detail. We used a scraper to make ours but it was BTB. I really like the bead detail and would like to include it in my next one.

 

[johnnycnc]

Looking good,Dozer!
The bead detail adds some nice
character.

 

[Tanner]

Nice job Dozer!! I have a couple of aluminum blanks and you have inspired me to give it a shot.

 

[doddman70]

I think Lee is right i don't think i have seen a metal blank done with a bead before. very nice indeed!!

 

[kirkfranks]

Not to get too far off topic but if you used one of the carbide tipped lathe chisels like this
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/lcpm3car-s.html
shouldn't you be able to cut the aluminum pens blanks just like regular?

By the way John that is a sweet pen. I don't know how you did it and I could not even match the bead on a maple blank

 

[bitshird]

Turnung between centers is a whole different world, you did a great job, and if you did the bead on a wood lathe, ya done a fine job!!!!!![)][)]

 

[johncrane]

Nice one J'

 

[DozerMite]

I've been out of town.

Thanks for all the comments.
I did turn it between centers on my jet mini 1014. I used a 3/8" gouge and a skew. Both HSS, no need for carbide tools. The polish is like a mirror. I polish a lot of aluminum for some of the hot rodders around here (intakes, wheels, valve covers,etc.) so I have some practice at that. I plan on doing many more of these. I have a lot of ideas. I couldn't have done it without johnnycnc. His stuff is amazing.