Red Hat

[Old Griz]

My wife has a friend who belongs to a group called the Red Hat Society.. don't ask me about all I know is they like the color red..LOL...
She asked me to make something special for her for Christmas... here it is... Big Leaf Maple Burl Double Twist Euro Pen and a Perfume Applicator... dyed with Chestnut Spirit Dye then buffed with some 0000 steel wool to remove some of the dye from parts of the burl... the picture unfortunately does not do it justice... it looks like red marble...
Finish is Cellulose Sanding Sealer, followed by CA sanded to 12000MM and then Trade Secret for Wood and Renaissance Wax... glistens like glass...
SWMBO is very happy, so therefore I am allowed to be very happy.. LOL

 

[Fred in NC]

Beautiful set, Tom! And the pic is fine too, I can see what you made very well. Great job!!

 

[Tom McMillan]

Seems to me there was an article about a red hat society around my parts too---must be catching on!! Those are both beautiful Tom!!!

 

[vick]

Beaautiful work! I have been meaning to try some home dying, I think you just convinced me.

 

[Guest]

Good looking pair of pens.
I loive the finish!
Care to expound as to how you do the sanding sealer and CA?

 

[Old Griz]

After the pens are dyed and dye has dried and been buffed with 0000 steel wool to remove some from the soft areas, I give it a coat of Chestnut Cellulose Sanding Sealer. This brand is recommended for the type of dye I am using.. I get both from CSU. After the sealer has dried, I buff again with the steel wool to smooth it and apply the CA finish... I use thick CA and smooth out the coats betwen applications... usually 2-3 applications of CA with a light spritz of accellerator on them... the last coat is sanded to 12000 MM and then I apply the TSW, buff that out on the lathe and then the Renaissance Wax...
I usually do not use sanding sealer, but this dye will run with just CA as a finish... found that out the hard way.. LOL.. the sanding sealer basically seals in the dye and protects it. There is still a very little bit of run with the CA, but a lot less than I got before and not enough to affect the finished look of the dying process.

 

[tipusnr]

Well YOU'RE definitely not going to win the "ugly pen" contest with that set! Great job in all respects (design, execution, and finish).

 

[mike_l]

Great set of turnings!! Love the dye.

Mike L

 

[PenWorks]

Sounds like one BIG happy family there, very nice Tom. Nice shinny red pens sell real good also. Anthony

 

[C_Ludwigsen]

Tom, those are awesome. Thanks for sharing them. Red Hat Society, huh??

 

[jkirkb94]

Beautiful pens!!!! Kirk[8D]

 

[DCBluesman]

For those of you who are dying to know:
"The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and elan. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together. Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next."

Sue Ellen Cooper, Queen Mother

http://www.redhatsociety.com/Info/main.html

Fabulous pens, Tom!

 

[Darley]

Nice set Tom, I have to try this perfume applicator.

Serge

 

[jwoodwright]

Great job. The details are really nice. Great Photography as well. Wish I could get those stains in Anchorage. No luck, hazardous material can't go by Air.[]

 

[Gregory Huey]

Not much more to be said the pictures say it all OUTSTANDING JOB.

 

[Travlr7]

Hey Tom:

You just gave me an idea. I have some Redheart and Purpleheart. HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM ... Sounds like a "RED HAT" pen in the wind, to me.

Thanks, Bruce

 

[Scottydont]

Beautiful Tom! You better send them to me for intense quality control.

 

[wpenm]

Excellent looking set Tom. I enjoy seeing everyone's work and it makes me want to try new things. I learn something new every day!
Garry