Chesty Puller would be proud!

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JP61

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Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
214
Location
NE Ohio
Got my Jet lathe last week and turned three slimline pens that turned out OK for a rookie. Today I stopped at Berea Hardwoods and got three more kits and some blanks, this being one of them. The first three pens made, I considered practice. This cartridge had to be my first that counted, after all, I am a Marine :biggrin:. Hope you like it and thanks for checking it out. It was fun and found that it was easier for me to turn acrylic than the purpleheart and rosewood I used before, but, I'm sure with some time I'll get better.
 

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JP61

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Joined
Aug 18, 2013
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214
Location
NE Ohio
Thanks Paul!

I know this pen is no big deal to most of you guys and gals here, but it's my first and will never forget making it.
 

Rink

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Joined
May 12, 2013
Messages
327
Location
NW Arkansas
Great looking pen. Congrats. I did the same thing...dedicated the first few to "practice runs". As far as the acrylic being easier to turn...I found the same thing. I've made 10 pens now (yes, still arookie!), but I have a bunch of cherry lumber in my shop waiting for it's turn to become furniture, so I made a pen and pencil (PSI slimlines, for practice) from that. I found the cherry turns much differently than the rosewood or purpleheart...it felt much like the acrylic, probably due to the tighter grain. Takes a bit longer to turn, but with a sharp chisel and a bit of sanding it smooths up like glass. Looks great natural color with CA finish. Moral of the story is: don't give up on wood after trying rosewood/purpleheart. I think there are others that are way easier to get a good result. The more experienced folks here on the forum can correct me as needed.

thx, rink.
 

Russknan

Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2012
Messages
537
Location
Nanuet, NY
Now try some olive wood. Bet you'll like the way it turns, the smell, and how it looks. Keep up the good work! Russ
 

Marines1407

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2013
Messages
27
Location
Tennessee
Great Pen

Every pen posted is a big deal to us.

Check out the bolt action pen from PSI. Its the perfect pen for us gun-toting Marines. :biggrin:

Semper Fi
 

plantman

Member
Joined
Jan 2, 2012
Messages
3,437
Location
Green Bay, Wi
:bananen_smilies046: Very nice pen, but don't throw the first three away. Keep them to see how far you have improved as you go. Thank you for serving so that I may sleep peacefully at night !!!! Jim S
 

CatSmasher

Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2011
Messages
29
My first pen was a slimline, gunmetal kit and a piece of maple that someone gave me. I didn't even know how to finish it so I just sanded it smooth.
It is two years old and I use it every day at work. The wood is kind of dirty looking, there is a groove around where the clip touches the upper portion, and the gunmetal is wearing off in spots.
Overall, it is a pretty ugly pen compared to what I make today. But it was my first and it is my 'lucky' pen.
 

JP61

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Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
214
Location
NE Ohio
Thanks guys! Appreciate the kind words!

I have two Sierra kits left, hopefully after my dental :)at-wits-end:) appointment, I'll be able to put one of them together.
 

JP61

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Aug 18, 2013
Messages
214
Location
NE Ohio
:eek: Cell phone photography :eek:
 

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plano_harry

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Joined
Jan 12, 2012
Messages
1,959
Location
Plano, TX 75093
Very nice Joe. Welcome to IAP and thanks for your service! Check out Lazerlinez.com Constance has a very nice looking laser cut Marine emblem blank and I think his half price sale is still in effect.

Harry
 

tim self

Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2008
Messages
2,150
Location
Atoka, Oklahoma
Semper Fi, Good work on the fit on them as well. In coming years you will look back and say how bad it looks as you improve. Think acrylic is easy? Grab some Acrylic Acetate and get back to me :). Another proponent for the laser kit Harry mentioned. It's TOUGH. I haven't finished mine, Japanese attacked again and I lost Hawaii!
 
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