My firs sucessful CA finish

[lostlugnut]

Here is my first sucessful CA finish. It was a x-cut oak from some wood I had left over. It sucked the CA like a sponge but I finally got it right. The end chipped when I put the finial in, but it was not bad. This was a test on a slimline to get the procedures down. I was very pleased overall untill... Three days after it was completed I picked it up to show it off to a friend and there was a sharp spot. I looked at it closely and the wood cracked on the top. What a bummer. The pic isnt the greatest but you can see the crack.

 

[leehljp]

Was the blank totally dried? Regardless, you are in a high humidity area and the X-cut set it up to become a high risk for expansion/contraction. Oak should be very dry. I occasionally microwave high expansion/contraction wood before using it, especially if it has only been air dried.

Good looking pen though!

 

[lostlugnut]

I put a moisture meter on it and it said it was only 6%. I guess that was still too much[B)]