Aluminum Statesman

[killer-beez]

What a pen!!! It's not to heavy but could be considered a weapon. Satin finish polishe with a little Ren wax.

 

[maxman400]

Awesome Looking Pen!!!

 

[TheRealSmith]

So Cool an amazing job....What about anodizing the aluminum blue?

 

[arjudy]

I really like it.

 

[jeffnreno]

Great looking pen - Is it challenging turning aluminum?

 

[Ligget]

Simply stunning Greg, I think aluminium pens look very classy!

 

[BigShed]

In a word, awesome!

 

[Dai Sensei]

Slick looking pen, well done

 

[Jim15]

That is a beauty.

 

[johncrane]

Agree with all above and the shape/contour line is also very good.

 

[Mrs Rojo22]

Stunning!

Robin

 

[dustmaker]

Very elegant look to that aluminum, especially in that kit. I really like this one!

 

[rjwolfe3]

Very nice!

 

[killer-beez]

Thought about anodizing but this customer wanted it plain. Could anodizing scratch?

So Cool an amazing job....What about anodizing the aluminum blue?

 

[killer-beez]

Aluminum, to me, is like TruStone in a way. What I have found is there is a lot more chatter when turning. If someone knows a cure I'm all ears. Other than that its real messy to finish. Wet sand with either H2O or 10W40. Either way you get a gray messy liquid that splatters everywhere. I got the satin finish by accident trying to get a shiney finish using 400 grit steel wool then top off with Ren wax. This worked for me I'm sure there are a lot more ideas out there.

Great looking pen - Is it challenging turning aluminum?

 

[Russell Eaton]

Greg, that is a rockin good looking pen! I hope you still have it next time we get together. Merry Christmas Russell

 

[bitshird]

Aluminum, to me, is like TruStone in a way. What I have found is there is a lot more chatter when turning. If someone knows a cure I'm all ears. Other than that its real messy to finish. Wet sand with either H2O or 10W40. Either way you get a gray messy liquid that splatters everywhere. I got the satin finish by accident trying to get a shiney finish using 400 grit steel wool then top off with Ren wax. This worked for me I'm sure there are a lot more ideas out there.

The chatter is an easy problem to solve, Carbide insert tools, with a small radius, I love the shape, you nailed it, and yes, unless you used a hard anodizing it would scratch. Hard anodizing, isn't as attractive as the clearer colors, for a reference look at the brown aluminum and glass doors, your finish should age gracefully, one of the first pens I made was aluminum with a finish similar to yours, it's been used daily for over two years and a few refills, and it still looks nice. Great job!!!