Some months ago a particular pen blank (alumilite/burl combination) caught my eye while I was in my local Woodcraft store. It was in a locked case, and the price was high. But I thought I would save it until my skills were sufficiently developed and I felt comfortable working with it.
I started turning the blank yesterday. And just as the barrel was coming to size, a chunk came flying off--ripped straight down to the brass tube. I didn't yell. I didn't cuss. I just silently turned off the lathe, turned off the shop light, and went in the house. (The blank is still sitting there on the lathe...)
So as a way to commiserate and help assuage my sorrows, I thought I would ask everyone to share their worst (best?) stories of ruined blanks and pens gone wrong. I just need to know that I'm not alone!
-Mark
I started turning the blank yesterday. And just as the barrel was coming to size, a chunk came flying off--ripped straight down to the brass tube. I didn't yell. I didn't cuss. I just silently turned off the lathe, turned off the shop light, and went in the house. (The blank is still sitting there on the lathe...)
So as a way to commiserate and help assuage my sorrows, I thought I would ask everyone to share their worst (best?) stories of ruined blanks and pens gone wrong. I just need to know that I'm not alone!
-Mark