First Aluminum Pen

[pop1948]

Whew!!!!!!
I made a turning tool from HSS key stock steel a small piece about 1/2"X 1/2" it works fair but takes on small bits.So it took me about 3 hrs to turn this pen. I hope to get some cheeper tool from HF to do just these pens, It was a blast and I hope you all like it. PLEASE sent me any help that it might need to make this go faster or easier. Oh yea had a hard time centeritng the round stock. But experience will help. Polished by hand had no buffing wheels, Also thanks to James Mann for the information and insperation

 

[NavyDiver]

Nice job. Is it the photo, or is it a little over-turned at the nib?

 

[smoky10]

If you're using 6061 aluminum I would use my regular turning tools and keep them sharp. I drill mine on the lathe using my Talon chuck with spigot jaws and a Jacobs chuck in the tail stock to hold the bit. The pen looks good.

 

[Fangar]

You are off to a great start. I would recommend getting a heavy HSS cutter head from HF and making it into a tool. I can turn down a 5/8" rod toa cigar pen in minutes. With speed maxed out, I can cut ribbons off of the T6061.

Thanks for sharing,

Fangar

 

[twoofakind]

Good job, I am about to try and turn my first aluminum pen as well.
Andy

 

[jtate]

NICE! SO that was simply an aluminum tube before you turned it into a pen? Did you do any drilling on it? Did you use the tubes from the kit and, if so, how did you attach them inside the aluminum?

Julia

 

[Stevej72]

Nice job! I've been wanting to try aluminum, too. Same questions a Julia.

 

[Ligget]

Lovely pen, especially as it is your first aluminium one![]

 

[Penmonkey]

Nice pen. I have not made one of those before.

 

[BigRob777]

Pretty awesome. I turned a specialized steel bolt in college, and I know it's tough. Good work on this.
Rob

 

[rtgleck]

Very nice job on the pen... have one glued up at home right now to try. You may just inspire me to work on that tonight. Great work.

 

[Fangar]

This article is from the home page and might help some.

http://content.penturners.org/articles/2005/alcigartut.pdf

Fangar

 

[johncrane]

Nice one Pop!it should last forever.[]

 

[jahlg]

very nice I just did a couple of aluminums as well, one cigar and one baron, just need to take some pic now!! Also a buffing wheel would get rid of the sand lines, i didnt use one on my cigar , but did on the baron, big difference!!

 

[pete00]

very nice indeed for your first, great effort, thanks for posting

 

[bob393]

Cool.