A couple Barons from the weekend

[martyb]

Turned these down this weekend.

White Holly, need to take another photo with less lighting. The shiny White Holly really messes with a camera.


And in Ancient Kauri.

This was fairly soft blank, so I had to continuously strenghten with thin CA as I turned. But very happy with the results.

CA/BLO finish on both. My own modified version of Don Wards instructions. I skip the MM and instead go up to a 4000 abralon pad before switching to the white diamond bar and plastic polish. I've like the results so far, enough that I haven't played with a plexi finish yet. Still want to try it though.

 

[kent4Him]

Nice. The Kauri is very nice. Looks like tou got a very white piece of holly.

 

[martyb]

VERY white holly. Picked up a few blanks from Mr. B down at Arizona Silhouette. Snow white, not a blue spot, blemish or knot in any of them. I've always received excellent stock and excellent service from Bill.

I can't wait to get into the rest of the kauri I've got. The grain patterns didn't show up on the rough stock even wiping with CA. But as you can see from the photo, its in there and is pretty nice.

 

[Jim15]

They look great.

 

[NavyDiver]

They look really nice. I've got to try the Baron kit.

 

[Ligget]

Great work on both pens Marty, I like the Ancient Kauri one best![]

 

[chigdon]

Nice pens. Holly is hard to photograph.

 

[Penmonkey]

Very nice pens. Try not using a flash with plenty of natural light.

 

[Blind_Squirrel]

Originally posted by NavyDiver
<br />They look really nice. I've got to try the Baron kit.

Eric,

The first one looked like there were 100 parts in there! Once I dry fitted everything I figured out they are really neat kits.

Marty,

Nice pens! That really is some stunning white wood!

 

[johncrane]

Well done Marty nice pens mate' l also agree if we dont ajust others technique we will all end up with the same sh-t' now wouldnt that be boring.[]

 

[martyb]

No flash involved in photographs anymore. I built a light ten with 3/4" pvc and a white sheet and use the smalles compact flourescents I can find for lighting. I think part of the problem is the metal clamp lights I've got those bulbs in, they just focus too much light.

It's kind of daunting when you dump out the contents of your first Baron kit. You stare at all the pieces then grab the instructions to see how they're all supposed to go together.

G'Day John! How's the weather down under? I spent 2 months in Sydney at the end of 2002, you're getting into your nice weather while here in the states (Iowa), we're already starting to talk snow!

 

[TomJ]

I have a holly tree I need to prune. I think I will get a few pens out of it!!

 

[martyb]

Go for it Tom. I've done a lot of trimming and cut down a few trees in my yard that I wish I could have turned into some blanks. But, alas, don't have a bandsaw with the capacity and I'm not that good with the chainsaw.
As a person working in IT, a lot of people are amazed I can even run the chainsaw. []

 

[Ausdan]

Both are great looking pens Marty - well done! I can understand that the white holly would be very difficult to photograph but it looks very classy - particularly coupled with that kit.

 

[Dario]

Originally posted by martyb
<br />As a person working in IT, a lot of people are amazed I can even run the chainsaw. []

I also work in IT and only 140 pounder but I can use a chainsaw []

Both are stunning pens...good job!!!

 

[martyb]

Lets just say I've got a few pounds on you Dario. []
IT to pen turning, well, at least when a blank explodes in my face I don't have some executive standing over me telling me to fix it or I lose my job. [!]
But thankfully I'm out of the fixing business in IT!
(no, I'm not management either, Architect is what they call me)

Thanks everyone for their feedback, and the advice from everyone here. I've taken my turning skills up 3 notches in just a couple weeks reading these forums and practicing with that advice. Can't wait to get a few of my next pens up. I just got my shipment of corian and I'm itchin' to get a few started!

 

[johncrane]

G'Day Marty the weather here at the minet is fine! but they are tell us where in for a hot summer and alot of bushfires. And our water is running out.AT the start of November we will be on level 4 restrictions that means NO washing your car at all.but other than that where fine.

 

[alamocdc]

Wow, I hope my Kauri has that much figure in it. I like the Holly too!