Baron, in Ti Gold

[gtriever]

I almost gave up on this one several times because of all the chipout and voids. Now I'm glad I didn't. Hmmm... I wonder how these blanks would look on a pair of Gold Mistrals?

 

[Super Dave]

Very nice !

Dave

 

[RogerC]

That's pretty stunning! what blank is that?

 

[gtriever]

Roger, that's an apple wood blank from PSI. I got it in their Apple Harvest Combo Pack, but it's also available separately, as Apple Harvest Short Grain.

(PS - I just ordered 5 more. I must be a real glutton for punishment... :biggrin: )

 

[OZturner]

Spectacular Pen Art,
Superb Unique Blank, Beautifully Turned, Fitted and Finished.
Congratulations,
Brian.

 

[leehljp]

You most certainly made that pen and blank enhance each other! Well done!

 

[MDWine]

That is a pretty nifty blank, haven't see one like that before!
Nice work!

 

[TonyL]

Very nice! I am glad that you didn't give up. I would like to try that. I just had a 20% off coupon - maybe it will still work.

 

[magpens]

Wow ! . That pen is a real conversation starter ! . Very attractive indeed !!

 

[PenWizard]

That's a really unique looking blank. Great looking pen!

 

[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" - :biggrin:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Very attractive. Tell us about the blank.

 

[gtriever]

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.

 

[gtriever]

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

And... here they are. Mistral Ballpoint and Pencil in Titanium Gold with Rhodium Accents, and Short-grain Applewood.





This batch of blanks from PSI wasn't nearly the quality of the first batch; it took (5) blanks to make this pair because of all the blowouts both on drilling and turning. After that, this may be one of those 'Never Again' items.

 

[CWebster]

Wow! Very nice, very beautiful set.

 

[Dieseldoc]

Really like them, great job with the matching pf the product.

 

[mark james]

If it's a "never again," you have done an excellent job on the three. They are a very striking blank.

Well done.

 

[SteveAxelrod]

That's a striking pair and looks great in the box! I've "turned" several cork and resin blanks using a flap disc because the cork was so prone to tear out. It worked really well and the pen was turned in virtually no time. Maybe that would be a viable method for this blank?