Did you know ...

[VisExp]

Did you know ...

• That you can get a Zen pen and a Sierra out of one of Dawn's PR blanks, with about a thousandth of an inch to spare
• That when ordering a bunch of Zen kits on a group buy to try out for the first time, a smart person would also have ordered the bushings :redface:
• That if you have two sets of Jr. Gent bushings you can take the larger of the lower barrel bushings and turn a Zen pen :biggrin:
• That when the first two blanks that you drill for the day for some Zen pens are some of Ed's cats, and you manage to blow them both up in quick succession, that you can cut them down and redrill them for a Sierra :redface:

 

[broitblat]

All good things to know. Also good to know how to make a bunch of great looking pens.

-Barry

 

[Dalecamino]

Sweet bunch of pens Keith . That's almost too much info for me . I've gotta copy this . Nice work friend ! :wink:

 

[Jim15]

That is a beautiful bunch of pens.

 

[maxman400]

Did you know ...That you can get

"Believe it or Not" LOL... Those are some great looking pens

 

[akbar24601]

Nice saves Keith! Great looking bunch of pens. How did you like the Zen?

 

[NewLondon88]

The Zen has never done anything for me.. till now.
I can see this in a dark, Redwood burl or a cocobolo burl..
it gives you so much room to show off the figure of the blank!

Very nice!

 

[Mrs Rojo22]

Great looking set of pens!

Robin

 

[bitshird]

Keith, Thanks for the information, Oh never mind about the bushings though, I made my own, but nice to know about making Zen and Sierra out of one blank, should work for a Zen and an Elegant Beauty as well (the real one) that really is a great looking bunch of pens.

 

[skiprat]

That's a grand selection of pens Keith:biggrin:
When you say 'Sierra' is that the 'Elegant Sierra' which is similar to the Elegant Beauty?

I also like the stand. It seems more substantial than most of the ones I've seen. ( thicker )

 

[papaturner]

Awesome work Keith.

 

[mbroberg]

Very nice looking group of pens. The finish on them is superb!!

 

[CSue]

Did you know ...
That when the first two blanks that you drill for the day for some Zen pens are some of Ed's cats, and you manage to blow them both up in quick succession, that you can cut them down and redrill them for a Sierra :redface:

Boy am I glad to know that! :biggrin:

Oh, beautiful pens!

 

[fiferb]

Beautiful work and some great lessons learned. Thanks for sharing both.

 

[Jgrden]

You wouldn't be speaking from experience, would you?

 

[Ligget]

Awesome work Keith, I can see that first photo of the group being on the front page of this site, cerainly a contender thats for sure!

 

[VisExp]

Thanks for all the comments

How did you like the Zen?

Still trying to make up my mind Steve. I'm not sure how comfortable it would be to write with for a long time. The transition from barrel to nib is very abrupt. It is a bit of a challenge to turn surprisingly enough. With the harder PR I was having to support the blank to reduce a slight chatter. Also getting a nice straight line from bushing to bushing requires some focus. It is definitely a good way to show off a nice blank and the magnet gets peoples attention.

When you say 'Sierra' is that the 'Elegant Sierra' which is similar to the Elegant Beauty?

I also like the stand. It seems more substantial than most of the ones I've seen. ( thicker )

Yes Steven. These are the Elegant Sierra. Similar to the Elegant Beauty, slightly bigger.

I got the stand from Penn State. It is a lot more substantial than I expected, which is good as I'm going to have to drill the bottom holes deeper. The larger pens slide out of them to easily.

You wouldn't be speaking from experience, would you?

I sure am :redface:

 

[DurocShark]

Straight lines on the Zen: I cheat. I use the 220 grit gouge on a block of wood for the last 64ths or so, regardless of the material. The skew gets it close, the paper makes it right.

I just did a bunch of stabilized burls on Zens yesterday. The paper made all the difference in the world.

 

[Ankrom Exotics]

Beautiful bunch of pens.

I've just completed my first few Sierra's (getting ready for Christmas) and I am lovin' 'em. So nice looking and easy enough for someone with my limited experience.