One New and One Delayed

[wdcav1952]

The chrome Zen pen was made using one of exoticblanks.com Purple Haze blanks. I really could have used some Hendrix while turning it! I took it and a few others to work to show around, and it sold in less than 5 minutes.

The chrome Olympia is made with one of Ed's "cat chow" or zebra blanks. I started it long before exoticblanks.com was launched. As I polished it, I was amazed that I could seem to see individual hairs on the blank. While seating the finial and clip assembly, I chipped the blank right dow to the brass. This upset me so much that I set the kit aside for over 6 months. Two days ago, I got it back out and pen milled the blank down until the brass tube was covered with zebra acrylic. Since the center band was firmly CA'd to place, putting it back on the mandrel was out of the question. I buffed the sharp edges of the blank end to soften the angles and then assembled the kit. Yes, it is a touch proud at the finial, but I am rather proud of the result.

Comments of all flavors welcome.

 

[ed4copies]

Nice save, Cav.

The purple haze always amazes me. LOUD, you betcha' But someone always wants to BUY it.

I've also sold several Zebra to people with businesses named "Zebra" (what a marketing genius - go RIGHT to the END of the yellow page adds!!)

Pretty pens!

 

[Darrin]

Great pens there. I always love hearing how other people save their creations. I try to save mine as well...I just add 5 minutes of yelling and swearing before hand

 

[Dalecamino]

Nice work there William .

 

[PenTurnerfromMaine]

Groovy

 

[TBone]

Nic save Cav. Amazing how many blanks and pens can be saved by "workarounds"

 

[wdcav1952]

Great pens there. I always love hearing how other people save their creations. I try to save mine as well...I just add 5 minutes of yelling and swearing before hand

Thanks, Darrin. I neglected to mention that over the six months of inaction, swearing was utilized every time I thought of or saw the kit! :redface:

 

[johnnycnc]

Both look awesome, Cav.
Nice save on Zebra, man I can't even tell it!
Congrats on the sale, I have only sold one this year.

 

[Ligget]

Beautiful pens Cav, great save on the zebra!

 

[mick]

Cav, Hendrix woulda been proud of the Zen....the Zebra is really eye catching!

 

[workinforwood]

Great set of pens Cav. I really like that purple.

 

[cnirenberg]

Nice looking pens. The purplehaze is a bit trippy, but trippy is good.

 

[VisExp]

I can't say I'd be standing in line to buy the Purple Haze pen but the Zebra pen looks awesome. I'm glad you were able to salvage it William.

 

[GoodTurns]

nice pair, Cav (bet that's the first time you've heard that!!!!)

 

[greeneyedblackcat]

Cool pens Cav

 

[DCBluesman]

I love them both, William!

 

[toolcrazy]

Both are very cool, nice work.

 

[Glenn McCullough]

Beautiful pens, the Zen is perfect for that blank and great save on the Olympia!

 

[johncrane]

Looking good from here Cav! too bad you chipped the wrong pen Cav the Zen kit needs a bit off.:wink::biggrin:

 

[izaks]

William - both pens looks great and nice save on the Zebra blank!

Is the Olympia and Presidential CSUSA same kits but with different center band?

Izak.

 

[wdcav1952]

William - both pens looks great and nice save on the Zebra blank!

Is the Olympia and Presidential CSUSA same kits but with different center band?

Izak.

Izak,

I've not made the Presidential, so I had to look things up a bit. The Presidential seems to use about the same finial and clip, both kits use a Cross refill.

The Olympia requires two drills, a 9/32" for the lower barrel and an 8.2 mm bit for the upper barrel. Accordingly, the Olympia is slightly larger. The Olympia also requires a tenon to place the center band. I find it to be an elegant pen that doesn't get enough attention. That said, I got angry and didn't make another one when I had the mishap with the zebra one. Now, I guess I need to use some of the kits I have. By the way, the Olympia is only available at ArizonaSilhouette so if you want to try some let me know and I'll get them for you.

Thanks for the kind words.