Baron, in Ti Gold

[eharri446]

One thing, that I do know is DO NOT attempt to stabilize them. A friend of mine tried it on the one with the long stems and it came completely apart.

I have a set and have been putting off turning them until it is warm out side so that I can open the garage door. I need to have the door open so that I can soak them in CA as I turn them.

[gtriever]

I thought they were already stabilized when they were formed. ??

[mark james]

Interesting blank, and an excellent finished pen. Well done.

Thanks for sharing.

[TattooedTurner]

Beautiful pen!

[Gregory Hardy]

Beautiful pen and work. And, yes - these blanks would be dazzling on gold Mistrals!

[gtriever]

Thanks to all, the comments are much appreciated. I've decided to attempt these blanks on a matched Ti Gold Mistral Ballpoint and Pencil set. And in my warped brain, the thought came that someone should do one of these in a Bolt Action - you could market it as "Orchard Camo" -

[Rifleman1776]

Very attractive. Tell us about the blank.

[gtriever]

Originally Posted by Rifleman1776

Very attractive. Tell us about the blank.

First, from PSI's web site:

"Made from the natural branches of harvested apple orchard trees, these imaginative blanks will create an exquisite appearance. In the ultimate re-cycling process, the tree branches are cut, compressed and resin impregnated to create a solid blank block - then cut to size and shape. Supplies are limited because these apples are harvested only once a year."

Instructions are included for turning these blanks. They recommend wiping them down with a thin coat of CA before doing anything with them, which I did. Before I started turning them, I replaced both carbide cutters on my tools (Ci2-SQ and Ci3). I set my lathe speed to its highest (3200 rpm).

Even with new carbide and a VERY light touch I found them to be very prone to chipout (which I expected), and there were a few small voids in the blank as well. Rather than soaking the entire blank, I used thin CA to touch up the smaller pinhead pits or thin cracks, and medium CA for the "larger" gaps of 1/16 to 1/8 inch or so. No major "craters", at least in this blank; even the larger gaps were only about 1/16 deep...

The key to this thing was patience, and more patience... and more patience. Oh, and lots of CA. It is not a blank that you can burn through in a couple of minutes. I spent an hour or more turning it. I took it down close to finished size, sanded it to 1000 grit, and finished it with 9 coats of WTF (CA and I do not get along very well).

Would I do it again? Now that I know what to expect - Yes. YMMV

[superjet96]

I ordered one of those blanks and haven't turned it yet. It comes with instructions/cautions. It may as well have just had "good luck" written on it. I am almost looking forward trying it hehe.

[DB in VT]

I have also turned a couple of these. They are a real son-of-a-gun, too. The finished product is stunning. you did a great job.
I have been thinking about creating one of these on my own. I think I can use small twigs from one of the trees on my property and cast them with Alumilite.