Video coming soon-gator

[ed4copies]

Well the last couple days, I have been doing lots of video!! Even loaded the camera, so I had to download (7 gigs?).

Working on two projects, but this one is by far more fun than the other (Woodturners finish)!! This is turning the Gator jaw pen blanks from Tom Barron!!

Tom asked me to make a video, so I have shown drilling, and turning with the roughing gouge, skew and Rotundo carbide tool. I have to say it was fun to get different tools in my hands again.

The process is all "on tape", but I was impressed with the still pictures that will start and end the videos. Hope you enjoy them too!!

Hardware is the Triton Rollerball in chrome and tiGold.

 

[boxerman]

Nice looking pen Ed.

 

[firewhatfire]

Who knew Ed still knows how to turn pens.

Just kidding looks great

Phil

 

[ed4copies]

Hey Phil!!!

I DID blow one up, too!!! Ed knows how NOT to turn pens, as a result!!

Edit in: I learned more on the blank that did NOT turn into a pen and the video will be better because of it!! Tom has given me his permission to use a couple blanks---as a result I will be much more useful to those who ask questions!!

And---I HAVE HAD FUN!!!!

 

[alamocdc]

Hey Phil!!!

I DID blow one up, too!!! Ed knows how NOT to turn pens, as a result!!

And I bet I know why! But the patience you excercised with this one is evident, buddy!

My real concern is the video. You kept it close up on only the turning, right? :biggrin:

 

[ed4copies]

Hey Phil!!!

I DID blow one up, too!!! Ed knows how NOT to turn pens, as a result!!

And I bet I know why! But the patience you excercised with this one is evident, buddy!

My real concern is the video. You kept it close up on only the turning, right? :biggrin:

Fear not my wiseacre friend---=-THERE ARE NO "STASH" SHOTS!!!!:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[76winger]

Can't wait to see the videos Ed!
(And get started on those that I ordered...) :biggrin:

 

[alamocdc]

Sorry, Ed! I just couldn't help myself! But you know that I too am looking forward to viewing your video offering!

 

[ed4copies]

"Drilling" will be available soon.

"Turning" may be several parts--I used a roughing gouge, skew and carbide tool. Also need to emphasize the use of thin CA====Bone is pourous, if you use CA to fill those pores and keep the bone together better, the whole process progresses more easily.

AND it makes the finished pen look shinier!! CA polishes very well as long as you have removed the dust before you use the CA!!

So, I hope to have a couple more done today---we'll see!!

 

[ed4copies]

Now is "Later"!

Here is the drilling segment:

gator bone pen-drilling.mp4 - YouTube

comments welcome!!

 

[Dustygoose]

Love the first one... next? lol

 

[alamocdc]

Nice video, Ed! I noticed that you chose not to use any kind of lubricant/cooler. I usually don't either, but I go slow. That blank was smoking pretty good at the end. Are you not worried abour rhar kind of heat? And if not, why? I always worry that internal stresses from heat will cause a failure when turning.

 

[ed4copies]

Nice video, Ed! I noticed that you chose not to use any kind of lubricant/cooler. I usually don't either, but I go slow. That blank was smoking pretty good at the end. Are you not worried abour rhar kind of heat? And if not, why? I always worry that internal stresses from heat will cause a failure when turning.

Well Billy!!

I try not to argue with any point of view in turning--but here is my "take" on heat.

For the first several years I turned pens, I had no idea how to sharpen a drill bit. In fact, it never occurred to me that my bits were dull---everything I drilled would smoke as it was drilled. Yet, I made hundreds of pens that were fine. I readily admit those were "pedestrian" materials by today's standards---AA, gemstone, acrylester. NOTHING embedded, that was not yet discovered as a technique.

Now, I DO lubricate some drilling operations and I do sharpen my bits regularly. And, if I am using Lucite or celluloid I am sensitive to the heat issue. But, with Polyresin and bone--TO ME!!!!! "No worries, mate!!"

I will let the blank cool for an hour or so before I put a tube in it and certainly it has to be cool before you use CA on it or the tube will seize before it is all the way into the blank.

I am also careful with antler and horns.

Paraphrasing Chasper:"May be wrong, but never in doubt!"

 

[3Peake]

Great video Ed.

Can't wait for the other videos as I've just ordered a gatorblank..

 

[longbeard]

Love your videos Ed, thanks for taking the time to do these.
I cant wait to get mine turned now.

 

[ed4copies]

"Turning with the roughing gouge" is uploading now--YouTube says about 15 minutes.

There must be a TON of people uploading vids today, I have never had a 4 minute video take more than 10 minutes to upload----UNTIL today.

 

[reiddog1]

Hey Ed, would love to see you and Dawn do a casting video to help out us novices. Thanks in advance.

Dave

 

[thewishman]

I laughed, I cried, I threw up a little in my mouth...



Not quite Sundace worthy, but suitable for all ages.

 

[ed4copies]

Hey Ed, would love to see you and Dawn do a casting video to help out us novices. Thanks in advance.

Dave

Thanks for the compliment, but Dawn has not had time to do anything at home. IF she gets a chance to cast it will be for "get em done" which is seldom "pretty" for the camera.

And you would be amazed how little she does that follows a formula. Her method is---sit down, watch TV or Computer for 5 minutes or so, jump up, run to the kitchen and pour or cuss (depending on whether it is just gelling or it is a rock!)
:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[ed4copies]

I laughed, I cried, I threw up a little in my mouth...

TMI
​

Not quite Sundace worthy, but suitable for all ages.

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[tkbarron]

Nice video Ed!

I love drilling gator blanks on a lathe. For me, it's a lot easier to drill dead center on a lathe than it is on a press.

Tom

 

[brownsfn2]

I really liked the video Ed! If I try this out can I use a carbide turning tool? (I have the unitool from Woodchuck)

 

[ed4copies]

Hey Ron!!

I finished turning the blank with a skew and then a carbide tool (rotundo) with a round cutter.

The only necessity is that your tool is sharp. I changed skews when one was not cutting very well, the second one did great!! (fresh edge)

Bone is hard, but consistent. SOME is porous---I can't stress enough the need to stop regularly and add thin CA.

As an old friend said, "I know EXACTLY the right moment to add CA---10 seconds too late!!" Better to be a minute early than a second late!!!



I would NOT suggest rounding the blank with a carbide tool, though. Take the corners off on a belt sander if you are not comfortable with a large roughing gouge.