First time using BLO and CA Finish
- Thread starter Whitehat1994
- Start date
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jttheclockman
Member
Not too sure that is zebra wood. There is some that is dark such as yours and also where it was cut from. I love using zebra wood but on a much larger bases because it shows off the grain pattern. With a pen the area is so small. If i want that look I would use BOW (olive wood) The grain pattern and lighter colored tans shows better.
The pen looks good though.
But here is a couple clocks I made using zebra wood as the base and you see the lighter colored wood. That is what you look for when buying it.
The pen looks good though.
But here is a couple clocks I made using zebra wood as the base and you see the lighter colored wood. That is what you look for when buying it.
Whitehat1994
Member
Not too sure that is zebra wood. There is some that is dark such as yours and also where it was cut from. I love using zebra wood but on a much larger bases because it shows off the grain pattern. With a pen the area is so small. If i want that look I would use BOW (olive wood) The grain pattern and lighter colored tans shows better.
The pen looks good though.
But here is a couple clocks I made using zebra wood as the base and you see the lighter colored wood. That is what you look for when buying it.
This pen blank came for a pack my wife ordered off eBay a couple of years ago when I got into turning. I wasn't sure what to expect once it was turned into the pen.
Thank you for the information!
Hawkdave
Member
That's a nice looking pen Richard, well done!!
John is correct in describing Zebra wood. The two bases on the clocks he uses as an example, shows some fine colouration and striping that you can get when looking for quality Zebra wood.
Nice clocks John.
Dave.
John is correct in describing Zebra wood. The two bases on the clocks he uses as an example, shows some fine colouration and striping that you can get when looking for quality Zebra wood.
Nice clocks John.
Dave.
JimB
Member
Very nice job with the pen. Like John said, probably not zebra wood.
Tell us more
How was your experience using the BLO and CA?
What technique did you use? I have been watching a few videos and seems like people use different techniques on their application.
How was your experience using the BLO and CA?
What technique did you use? I have been watching a few videos and seems like people use different techniques on their application.
Whitehat1994
Member
How was your experience using the BLO and CA?
What technique did you use? I have been watching a few videos and seems like people use different techniques on their application.
The application process I used was simple. I will have to figure out how to get a better shine! The finish is extremely SMOOTH to the touch! I will use it again on different woods to see what I can accomplish. I'll have to investigate others application process as well.
Here is the link to the instructions I used. Good luck and let us know how you like it!
http://content.penturners.org/library/techniques/ca-blo.pdf
Last edited:
RedBeard
Member
I don't recall ever seeing that particular article. Kind of interesting.
I've used the BLO/CA finish pretty much from the get-go and really the main difference seems to be that I apply the BLO and the CA to the paper towel at the same time then apply it to the blank.
The process I've been using I got from this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orcgOf4siqc
One kind of interesting thing I've noticed after using several different types and brands of CA is that I get a better shine from a particular Loctite CA then I do from the ones that seem to be aimed at pen turners.
I've used the BLO/CA finish pretty much from the get-go and really the main difference seems to be that I apply the BLO and the CA to the paper towel at the same time then apply it to the blank.
The process I've been using I got from this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orcgOf4siqc
One kind of interesting thing I've noticed after using several different types and brands of CA is that I get a better shine from a particular Loctite CA then I do from the ones that seem to be aimed at pen turners.
Houtkop
Member
I have used zebrano on a few pens in the past, and found that on some of the cross cut blanks it came out dark as on the photo. My problem was that I applied a danish oil first. So it might be that you use a little to much BLO, and that darkens the light wood. Since then I use a thin ca as sealer first before using BLO/CA to finish.
jttheclockman
Member
Just a note. Those clocks and basis on the clocks all were finished with Danish oil. It is and always will be my finish of choice on things like that. No darkening. Danish oil Natural that is.
Whitehat1994
Member
Here is my first scroll saw project I made for my wife. It's ambrosia maple finished with Danish oil. I put several coats on it, tried "rubbing" it with 0000 steel wool damp with Danish oil. Then a coat Johnson floor wax.
I still didn't get the gloss shine I was expecting.
