Thanks all, for the comments.
The WOW factor of this pen made me step out of the shadows and post for the first time...
The material is, indeed, exceptional.
I started woodturning a year ago and just recently "discovered" pens. Really like your pen - great work!
Thanks!
I hope that it's not rude to ask...
I think most folks here are prepared to share a good deal of what they do and how they do it ... up to a point.
... but would you mind sharing the pen kit you used? What do you use to hold the blank from just one end?
I used the tubes, nib, nib coupler and trim ring, plastic centerband threading, and spring from
a (CS-USA) Gentlemans Junior II. Other than the threading I used nothing from the centerband. This leaves a small gap between the end of the threading piece and the tube, which I filled with CA glue. So far it's holding its position beautifully. I made this one in preparation for making something similar for a customer, and I wanted to make sure I knew what I was doing.
To hold the pieces for turning, you need a pair of closed end mandrels, one for each end (pen and cap.) I believe some folks come up with their own, and there are a few types available from sellers. I used
these.
You'll also need a
drill chuck, or a
three or
four jaw chuck, to mount the mandrels in the headstock. You'll use the live center in the tail stock to pin the back end until you turn it to the shape you want, and then part it at the length you want with a parting tool. At that point, the work piece will be "standing free", and you can sand and polish it.
:biggrin:
