Brother In Law's first try

[darrin1200]

My brother in law is down for the weekend. He thought my pens were incredible and thought he would like to try it.
I gave him a demo, then let him choose a wood and a kit. It took a while to make, slow and cautious.

He chose
Green stabilized box elder burl
dressed in a Sterling Silver Baron.
sanded to 600
MM to 12K
7 coats CA/BLO
wet MM to 12K
3 more coats CA/BLO
Plastic polish twice.

I couldn't believe this was his first time on a lathe. I think we will have a new addict. Just have to get him his own lathe.

Comments Welcome

Darrin posted for Danny

 

[Oldwagon]

That is very good for a first pen.Nice choice. Todd

 

[Jim Burr]

Nice job! Did he dye the BE or buy the blank dyed?

 

[PaulDoug]

Ya, he's in. Great looking pen. Tell him Welcome aboard! My first pen didn't even come close to that, come to think of it neither did the last one I made! My first pen was, of coarse a slimline. I've probably made over 100 now and I just getting to the nicer kits.

 

[Laurenr]

Very nice. I do think he had a little help? ...a little?

 

[darrin1200]

Jim - the blank was bought dyed.

As for help, I was amazed. I did a quick demo pen talking him through the whole process. After that the only work I did on his pen was I drilled and glued one half of the blank to show him what to do. During the turning, sanding and finishing, the only thing I did was give some asthetic advice.
He worked very slow and careful, all the turning was done with a small gouge. He picked up the CA/BLO finish really quick.
He is rightly very proud of his pen.

Darrin

 

[jbostian]

He should be very proud of that pen. That is an amazing job for his first attempt. Heck it might be better then the ones I am doing after about 6 months of turning.

Jamie

 

[johncrane]

Great job! i wish my first looked that good.

 

[DurocShark]

I love those incompletely dyed blanks. I think they're MUCH more interesting than the fully dyed ones. That one looks great!

 

[mbroberg]

I'd be very surprised if that is his last pen. You've recruited another!! Good job to both of you!