Executive Earth's Core

[qquake]

A friend of mine saw a pen I had made for myself with a Rhino Earth's Core blank, and asked me to make on for him. But he wanted the pen to be black. He chose the black Executive. I'm not real fond of PSI's black pen kits, they're not very shiny. But my friend likes that look. This is another stunning Rhino blank.

 

[qquake]

Here is the Earth's Core pen I made for myself. It's a gun metal Executive. Quite a different look in this blank. It has more silver in it.

 

[campzeke]

I like them both.... but them again I like the Executive pen. Good job!

 

[mecompco]

Great looking pens! I love Earth's Core. I do have another blank and an Executive--you've given me an idea.

Here's a Majestic Rollerball in Earth's Core I finished recently:

 

[Rink]

Great looking executive and the Earth's Core is always nice. I like the executive style, feels very classy to me, and nice size.

I've had trouble with the black kits having some kind of coating on them that is hard to remove. They're actually sticky when I remove them from the bag, sometimes actually stick to the inside of the bag and I have to peel them off. So I avoid the black kits now. Have you had that experience?

 

[qquake]

Great looking executive and the Earth's Core is always nice. I like the executive style, feels very classy to me, and nice size.

I've had trouble with the black kits having some kind of coating on them that is hard to remove. They're actually sticky when I remove them from the bag, sometimes actually stick to the inside of the bag and I have to peel them off. So I avoid the black kits now. Have you had that experience?

Yeah, I've experienced that. I think I cleaned the components with alcohol.

 

[qquake]

Great looking pens! I love Earth's Core. I do have another blank and an Executive--you've given me an idea.

Here's a Majestic Rollerball in Earth's Core I finished recently:

This blank had some white in it like yours, but it all got turned away.

 

[mark james]

FRom an appearance standpoint - I like the black kits just fine. I wonder how well the plating will hold up in2-3 years.

I also agree that "Your" pen/blank is a bit nicer... But I have no issue with the first pen displayed - both are excellent.

 

[qquake]

Some photos for Herb G. The sorrows and joys of turning Rhino blanks. Rhino blanks are more dense and brittle than other acrylic blanks, but not as bad as inlace acrylester. The key is to take light cuts and keep your chisel sharp. I'm often guilty of being too aggressive, as this blank illustrates. But I was able to save it by backing off a little bit. As you can see Rhino blanks polish beautifully. And to answer his specific question, I trim the corners on my bandsaw before turning. I also use brad point drill bits, which some turners don't like, but I've found that they don't blow out as easily as other bits. Just go very slowly towards the end.

 

[Herb G]

Thanks for the update Jim. Very nice of you to help a newbie.
I started turning in 2009, but life got in the way.
I am just now getting back on my feet.
Literally & figuratively.

 

[qquake]

Thanks for the update Jim. Very nice of you to help a newbie.
I started turning in 2009, but life got in the way.
I am just now getting back on my feet.
Literally & figuratively.

I know what you mean. Life gets in the way sometimes.