Copper Banded Fountain Pens

[Todd in PA]

A simple design, but this makes a darn sexy pen!

I sandwiched some scrap veneer between two pieces of copper sheeting and glued them up with oily glue. As has been discussed, oily glue is a CA derivative that has a higher failure temperature. It's a bit of insurance against heat failure while drilling, which is common with metals. I marked the wood to keep everything organized so the grain would line up, and made my square cuts on the table saw. I drilled multiple times with increasing bit sizes rather than all in one go. Hope you like my sexy copper pens!

Woods: Tulipwood and Ipe
Kit: Atrax Bright Copper
Difficulty: Relatively Easy
Segments: Copper Sheet and Miscellaneous Veneer

 

[LouCee]

Excellent work, they look great!

 

[jttheclockman]

I am a big aluminum user but after seeing some of your latest creations I may have to incorporate some copper as well. Nicely done.

 

[Lew]

Elegant looking pens. The simplicity of the design perfectly complements the kit.

 

[philipff]

VERY nice!! P

 

[Hippie3180]

Copper is so classy and warm. Love these.

 

[KMCloonan]

Sexy indeed! Very nice.

 

[MaDDreams]

Beautiful pens - I'm particularly fond of the tulip. One question to those that have been around longer... How does the copper hold up over time? Does the CA finish prevent it from tarnishing?

Thanks,

MaD

 

[Hubert H]

They really look nice. Good work.

 

[Fizzy]

Absolutely stunning

 

[jrista]

Stunning!! Love those thin layers of wood between the metal bands.

Todd, if you don't mind my asking, how do you sand/polish the metals? Maybe I'm not seeing well here, but getting a good polished shine on my metal bands has always been a problem for me. Have you found a way to polish them to a bright shine?

 

[egnald]

Very Cool - Great Segmenting - Gorgeous Pens! - Dave

 

[Todd in PA]

Todd, if you don't mind my asking, how do you sand/polish the metals?

No sanding. Sharp square carbide blades. Usually at a 45. A tad below center. With a light touch you can get a very clean cut, and go straight to CA finish.

 

[jrista]

No sanding. Sharp square carbide blades. Usually at a 45. A tad below center. With a light touch you can get a very clean cut, and go straight to CA finish.

Thanks!

 

[jttheclockman]

No sanding. Sharp square carbide blades. Usually at a 45. A tad below center. With a light touch you can get a very clean cut, and go straight to CA finish.

This is what I tell people who ask about my aluminum bands as well. you get such a clean cut with tools better than sandpaper which just leaves scratches. I am really liking the copper details. Have to try this. If you see a copper Celtic knot it was born from this thread. Just saying

 

[Todd in PA]

By the way…
Sometimes once a pen is finished being assembled I'll moisten a paper towel with alcohol to get the fingerprints off. I did with the darker of the two pens. Please don't do this with the copper plated kits. The finish went from shiny to satin in the blink of an eye.