Bamboo Pen

[jenamison]

 

[jenamison]

This is my first attempt at a bamboo pen. I bought a bamboo place mat from Pier One Imports for $3. Enough to make about 15 to 20 slimlines. Color scheme turned out kinda interesting don't ya think?

--Mike

 

[dubdrvrkev]

Nice pen.
I have bamboo growing in my yard and have been eyeing it lately thinking, "I wonder if I can turn some of that?" Maybe I'll have to give it a try.

 

[jenamison]

It turns very easy...and be extremely careful with the sandpaper. It gouges like a hot knife on butter. It's definitely a different look.
Thanks by the way. Mike

 

[DCBluesman]

That looks a lot better than any bamboo I've seen, Mike.

 

[jenamison]

Thanks, Lou. My wife told me to put it on and see what people had to say. I tell you what, that may be the cheapest pen blanks I've ever be able to buy. I also got some that may fit on larger pens like a Gentleman's. We'll see.

Mike

 

[JimGo]

Very interesting Mike! Thanks for sharing. Though, I do have to ask, why are you impersonating a woman on HERE?

 

[53Jim]

Nice looking pens. I love the coloring. One question, is this stuff hard like a normal wood, or is it soft, kinda like cork???

 

[jenamison]

HAHA...well becccaaauuussseeeeeeeee....my wife actually started the posting on here. I guess she got lonely with me outside in the shop turning all the time and found all you GUYS[8D][8D] to keep her company...Thanks by the way, but I can pull off a pretty convincing woman act. If you don't believe me just call my fire station one day!!

Mike[]

 

[jenamison]

Its extremely soft..don't let your hand slip on these or you'll be drilling a new blank. Yea I did have to drill some of the mostly hollow center. It's even more pronouced when you start sanding. Very soft when working it, but holds a nice finish so far and feels really tough in the hand.

Mike

 

[Tom McMillan]

Interesting pen Mike---nice work!!

 

[jenamison]

Thanks Tom...BTW if you are still reading this post, I emailed you the other day about your twist pen and first wanted to thankyou again for all the information, and second I turned my first one the other day....WOW...thats hard on the fingers and wrist, its gonna take a lot of work but if interested its in my pictures. Again thanks.

Mike

 

[JimGo]

Mike, that twist pen looks cool! Gladyou could take a little ribbing...though don't you think it's time to get your own ID, and let Jen get outside and start turning some pens?

 

[jenamison]

Heck no, I've done most of the post on here. It would take me all night to get back to where I am[][]!!!!
She turns a little but not to much...She'd be happy to let me do the turning! Anyway this is my way to give my wonderful wife (house mom of 3 at that) her time in the spot light.
[:I]

Mike

 

[Tom McMillan]

Hey, Mike---nice work on the twist (spiral)!!! Yes, I think my fingers have toughened up a bit after doing a number of them---but, now I'm enjoying doing it---but, they do take some time.

 

[jenamison]

Thanks Tom, couldn't have done it without your help. Wouldn't have even known how to start. Glad this site is on the web, just told my wife tonight that I don't believe there is any better group of people and knowledge on the internet!
Ok everybody in the other sites, please don't kill me for saying that. I'm just biased!

Mike

 

[hobby_dale]

Sweet pen Mike! Great job. I was wondering if it could be done and how it might turn out. Thanks for the info on the bamboo and helping answer the question. Keep up the good work!

 

[jenamison]

Hey thanks hobby dale. Its very interesting to work with.

 

[Ryan]

Ok! Am I missing something here? You made this from a placemat? How thick is the placemat? or did you cut it up and laminate it?

Another cheap or free source of bamboo blanks is hardwood floor company's. Sometimes they have scrap.

Ryan

 

[leehljp]

I have been thinking of trying of Bamboo. Got some almost 5/8 in thick. Just don't have the time.

 

[jenamison]

The placemat was about 20 stalks of actual bamboo linked together. No lamination, actual bamboo stalks. You may be able to find the placemats online at Pier One Imports, not sure but I bought it from one of there stores here in town.

 

[swm6500]

This looks like it may be the placemat that was used for this pen.
http://www.pier1.com/store/productdetail.asp?catalog%5Fname=Pier1&strStoreNavDept=&strStoreNavClass=&search=true&multipleresults=true&strSearchDescr=bamboo+placemat&intSearchPriceRangeID=0&intSearchCategoryID=0&intSearchTypeID=2&category_name=GROUP+46965+Bamboo+Placemat+Oxblood&intPageNumber=1&intSetNumber=1

 

[swm6500]

Interesting pen by the way.

 

[J. Fred Muggs]

Mike, please don't tell us about the impersonation act for the fire station. some things we'd rather not know. The pen is great. The laminated bamboos are nice, but this one everyone can recognize as bamboo!! Cool[8D][8D]

 

[jenamison]

That is it Sam, thanks for finding that and your comment about the pen.

Mike

 

[jenamison]

You got it Fred[]..You can learn a lot being a police officer in Atlanta!![8D]

 

[jenamison]

Just so I don't totally confuse everyone about what I do...I am currently a firefighter/paramedic in Tallahasee Florida, but was a police officer in Cobb County Georgia which borders the city of Atlanta.

Mike

 

[gc]

Nice pen Mike.

 

[53Jim]

Not to sound mushy or anything, but thanks for the work that you do, and have done. I went to school to be a police officer, but couldn't handle the fact that I would have to carry a side arm.

Now I drive a wheel chair van for the elderly and disabled; similar to your present career, but nowhere near as dangerous.

Thanks for doing the job you do.

 

[jenamison]

Thank-you Jim. That really means a lot to me. It's rare anymore that you hear someone say that believe it or not. Again, thank-you very much.

Mike

 

[jdavis]

Nice design and the color is excellent. Very nice work.