Stablized Pen Blanks

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nkygal

Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2012
Messages
2
Location
Kentucky
Hi all,
I am fairly new to pen turning but have turned a fair amount using various woods and pen styles. I usually choose the stablized pen blanks. I prefer wood over plastic and finished as naturally as I can although I step over that line at times as I feel the need. A recent negative experience with a recent order has prompted me to ask if anyone has noticed a difference in stablized blanks. I appreciate your comments and thank you in advance for those comments!
Thank you soo much for this site!
 

Jim Burr

Banned
Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
3,060
Location
Reno, Nv
Can you be a little more specific Cindy? Was it a blank problem or kit issue? I stabilize my own blanks and there is a big difference!! There has been a lot of chat lately about really hard stuff like Amboyna being stabilized not due to and softness, but due to the irregular grain structure inherent in most any burl. Ha!!! I learned somethinig else!! I have a large supply of Amboyna and it will be getting a bath. Stabilized is good!
 

nkygal

Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2012
Messages
2
Location
Kentucky
I ordered stablized crosscut hackberry, spalted tiger oak and red wood burl. I was successful with the redwood burl for my first time turning. I have turned the tiger oak and crosscut hackberry previous. I ordered from a different vendor this time. I drill my pens out on a lathe since I do not have a drill press set up. The hack berry I hardly got the hole started and a huge chunk flew off deeming it for another project. The tiger oak I had down to the final shaping and 2 peices flew off which I can glue and you will hardly know it by the way it came apart. I worked this piece in timeframes so I don't think it was overworked heating and drying it out. I am making executive one piece wood pens. Like I said I have turned these woods before and without any issues. This time the blanks just felt less stable when I handled them before turning but being new and with the variables is why I reached out and see if the quality of stablization could be part of the problem.
T
 
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