Getting The Hang of It

[VirgilJ]

I've been out of the hobby for quite some time, about seven years or so. My wife got me started again about a month ago by volunteering me to provide two pens for a charity auction the Women's Club is holding. I don't know what in the world possessed her to do that, but it took me two days of garage cleaning before I could even see my lathe let alone turn a pen on it.

After all that time it was like starting over again. I've been making a little progress and this is the first pen I've turned since I re-started turning that I feel pretty good about.

 

[jcm71]

Very, very nice. What is the wood?

 

[preacherman]

That doesn't look like starting over to me. That looks great! Very nice pen!

 

[mjrbuzz]

that is beautiful!

 

[Tom T]

"A"+ one hundred. Beautiful turning and finish

 

[VirgilJ]

Thanks for the kind comments!

I really don't know what the wood is. I have a drawer full of various burls and woods I bought 10 years ago but none of them are marked anymore.

Believe me, my first few pens were a disaster. I turn mostly with a skew and at first it was like I never used one before. One of the first pens I tried to turn was a Breast Cancer Awareness pen with a white inlace acrylester blank. I had a catch and exploded the blank. I think parts of that blank are still in orbit around my garage!!

 

[bobjackson]

Glad you're back. Great job.

 

[jondavidj]

Very nice!

 

[Marko50]

Welcome back, Virgil! I love the finish on this pen! Great job.

 

[tgsean]

Wow Virgil that is awesome, looks like you never stopped turning! Mate you should turn more, its great. I like the timber too. Its beautiful and unique colour too. Cheers

 

[OZturner]

Welcome back Virgil, judging by the Pen, it looks like you never stopped.
A Glorious Pen, Excellent Fit and Finish.
Turning is a bit like Bike Riding, you never forget how to do it, it is just that you wobble a bit when you first start back.
Obviously your wobbling didn't last too long.
Now that you have gone to the trouble of uncovering your lathe, I look forward to seeing some more of your hidden treasures.
Congratulations.
Brian.

 

[VirgilJ]

I can't thank you all enough for all the positive comments. It really feels great for my work to gain the acceptance of others that are so much more skilled than I am. In a world where "good enough" and the quick easy fix is the norm, it's really refreshing to be on a forum where so many are dedicated to creating excellence. To gain your praise makes my day!!!!

 

[BJohn]

Awsome pen, Love the timber and the finish. Also the composition of the picture is amazing to.