Aluminum Long Click

[mbroberg]

This was my first attempt at aluminum. No problem drilling it, but the turning wasn't going so well until I got a hold of JohnnyCNC who provided me with the information I needed to get the job done. I WILL be doing more aluminum pens. The hardware is Titanium Gold. I just used wax to finish it. Next time I think I will go for the brushed aluminum look rather than smooth and shiny.

Honest feedback is welcome.

 

[LouCee]

Looks great, nice job!

 

[witz1976]

WOW, that looks really really good. I like the contrast of the gold & silver of the Alum.

 

[PenMan1]

Mike.
I love it! I've been thinking about doing this, and wondered how it would look. Now I know! The answer is "beautiful"!

 

[el_d]

Very nice Mike.

Looks good

 

[thewishman]

That's a sweet li'l clicker! Nice work, Mike.

 

[seamus7227]

"Good Job Mike!~

 

[corian king]

Very nice pen Mike!!
I have done around a dozen aluminum pens and I love working with it.
I noticed you said something about doing a brushed finish is there a trick to doing that?
Thanks!
JIM

 

[ldb2000]

Great looking pen Mike . I love working with Aluminum and Brass , They make great looking pens and I don't have to fiddle with the metal lathe .

 

[Rangertrek]

Very nice work on the metal pen. I do like the look of the gold and silver combination. I have not yet ventured into working with metal, you may have given me some inspiration to give it a try.!

 

[wizard]

Mike, That is a beautiful pen! I love the aluminum and TiGold combination. Looks very sleek and elegant! Regards, Doc

 

[cnirenberg]

I like the combo of the aluminum and Ti-Gold too. I've only made one of these types of pens and use it everyday-it's a great writer.

 

[Toni]

MIKE!! WOW!! That is an awesome clicker very sleeeeeek!

 

[terryf]

Lovely Mike and as has been mentioned, the contrast works very well. Sounds like theres more to turning this stuff than meets the eye?

 

[Dudley Young]

Mighty fine. BZ

 

[Focushere]

I LIKE IT!

Can you PM me the process? I would like to try it!

 

[mbroberg]

Thank you all for the nice comments.:biggrin:

Very nice pen Mike!!
I noticed you said something about doing a brushed finish is there a trick to doing that?

I haven't tried it yet, but I will be experimenting with steel wool to get the brushed aluminum look.

I LIKE IT!

Can you PM me the process? I would like to try it!

There is a lot of information to be gained by doing a keyword search (aluminum). I'll PM a bullet list of things to get you started.

 

[mranum]

I wonder how a brass celtic knot would look on that pen? Pretty sharp I'd bet.

 

[ctubbs]

Mike, while you are making the pm, why not go ahead and post it here.
That is one super sharp pen, no pun intended. At first sight, I thought ouch when I saw the gold and aluminum against each other. but when I opened my eyes and really saw that beauty of those two metals together, WOW! I'd have never had the courage to hang them together like that. Gorgeous! Keep up the great work. Your fit and finish is incredible. Satin finish, along with the bright gold you used or maybe even polished chrome. Yes Mike, that will work. Just another of your great creations.
Charles

 

[pensmyth]

SUPER NICE! I've been wanting to try one of these for some time now using my carbide tip tools. Did you get your stock from Johnny? You'll have to pm me your bullet list of how you started. Again awesome job.

 

[mbroberg]

I did get my stock from Johnny. All the information needed on turning aluminum is already provided on the IAP. One tip, don't use a carbide tool. You will have better luck with HSS. Using a carbide tool is what was causing me problems at first. Johnny sent me back to HSS. I was able to finish the turning easily with a 3/8 spindle gouge.