KC Twist Question

[lawry76]

For those of you who make KC Twist pens, or your own variation of them, at what point in the CA/BLO process do you cut the grooves in the cap end blank? Just before your final sanding? I was concerned about too much build-up in the cut grooves.

Thanks again

 

[woodscavenger]

That is a good question. I am interested in hearing the results of this question. I think the answer in my shop depends on how deep I want the grooves. Lately I have only been doing vey light grooves with a skew tip. They are "V" shaped and not very deep. I add them after I have sanded to about 600. I do the grooves then touch it again with the same paper to debur the edges then finish the pens. I find that even when I do not burn the lines they darken very nicely during the finishing process.

When I do thicker lines I try to use a fingernail or thin metal strip to push my paper towel in the groove to stop thick buildup. Sometimes it works....sometimes..... When it doesn't work, and if I have a thick ugly buildup I gently use the wire burner to clean it out again. Sometimes it works....sometimes.....

 

[vick]

On my pens with burn lines I usually burn right after 400 grit then finsh sanding. I am carefully to wife of the blank after each grit with a rab with a little alcohol on it paying special attention to the burn lines. But I usually go with a sanding sealer, friction polish finish for this type of pen. Sorry.