Ambrosia Maple RB and FP

[RogerGarrett]

I'm finally getting time to set up my photo booth again and take pictures of what few pens I have had time to turn. I see that I need to iron the sheet for the booth!

Anyway - this wood was cut last summer from a tree that fell on the west side of town (Bloomington, IL). With chainsaw in hand, I separated the good stuff from the bad (heavily infested with termites) - finding some that was spalted and had received a visit from the Ambrosia Beetle. These two pens are for a friend who had me guest lecture at her university this past weekend.

 

[Penmonkey]

I love the pens Roger. Those are my favorite kits beside slimlines.

 

[Woodlvr]

What kind of kits are these? I am having a blonde moment sorry.[)]

Mike

 

[RogerGarrett]

Originally posted by Penmonkey
<br />I love the pens Roger. Those are my favorite kits beside slimlines.

Thanks for the kind words Travis.

You hit the nail on the head regarding style - these are very popular kits - and not real expensive compared to the Jr. Gents. I like them for gifts for friends - always seem to be a big hit. I have two complaints about the kits - maybe you have some experience you can share about the second complaint that might help me?

The first is that you have to notch the finished blank for the clip - something I hate doing. It always works out just fine, and I've had no problems with the pens - but I just don't like that step.

The second is that these are the snap in type - with the plastic insert in the cap. I've really had to take a lot of time to get the insert in just right. If it isn't in perfectly, there is either a gap between the cap and the body of the pen when put together, or the pen tip doesn't reach the insert properly inside. The biggest problem is that I haven't found a way to adjust it after I have already installed the clip into the top tube so I spend a lot of time doing a semi-dry fit test. CSUSA suggests using a #1 or #2 Philips screw driver to tighten or loosen after installation, but that doesn't work on the tightest settings.

Advice?

Roger

 

[RogerGarrett]

Originally posted by Woodlvr
<br />What kind of kits are these? I am having a blonde moment sorry.[)]
Mike

Mike,

These are from CSUSA - here is the exact link:

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/cgi-bin/shopper?preadd=action&key=050-4408

You will notice that their sample pictures have pens that are absolutely straight - I like them to bulge out a bit more - to give a bit of style - they look radically different that way.

Best,
Roger Garrett

 

[jjenk02]

Great Pens Roger....

 

[Penmonkey]

Roger, I kinda enjoy making the little bitty notch look all perfect. On the nib I just use a screwdriver and keep adjusting it until I get it 100% perfect. It isn't all that hard.

 

[NavyDiver]

Great job! They both look very nice.

 

[Ozzy]

Very nice job.

 

[Woodlvr]

Great looking pens Roger. Thanks for the link. I like to make my pens a little thicker as it makes them easier for my clumsy hands to hold onto. Great Job.[]

Mike

 

[rovercat]

Nice looking. I have yet to do a fountain pen.
Thasnks for posting

 

[pete00]

great looking pair you have there....very nice

 

[csb333]

Great looking....What a nice piece of wood!- Chris

 

[broitblat]

Great pens, both. I've always avoided that kit because I thought the lower barrel had too much gold and not enough wood, but apparently I was wrong because you made them look great!

-Barry

 

[RogerGarrett]

Thanks for all the compliments guys. Makes me want to make some more quickly!

Best,
Roger Garrett

 

[mrcook4570]

Roger, the pens look nice. A nib cap adjuster tool is available and works much better than the screwdriver. It has four ittle teeth on it to grip the notches in the plastic insert. I think it costs around $5. CSU and Woodcraft carry them, maybe other places too.

 

[RogerGarrett]

Originally posted by mrcook4570
<br />Roger, the pens look nice. A nib cap adjuster tool is available and works much better than the screwdriver. It has four ittle teeth on it to grip the notches in the plastic insert. I think it costs around $5. CSU and Woodcraft carry them, maybe other places too.

Fantastic! I'll order one right away. Thanks for the information!

Best,
Roger Garrett