Failed pen attempt

[markwads]

I tried to make a pen with dark wood on the left and light on the right, with a Celtic knot of the opposite wood. It was not a success -- the resulting blank wasn't straight, and it came apart when I tried to drill it. So I tried again with a wine stopper. That was big enough to work out pretty well. Maybe I'll try the pen again since the proof of concept was OK.

 

[lorbay]

This looks good. Try drilling your pen blank from both ends.

Lin.

 

[monark88]

Or maybe start out with a 6mm bit and going up to the size you need.

russ

 

[D.Oliver]

It's too bad the pen didn't work out, because the stopper looks great.

 

[randyrls]

I tried to make a pen with dark wood on the left and light on the right, with a Celtic knot of the opposite wood. It was not a success -- the resulting blank wasn't straight, and it came apart when I tried to drill it. So I tried again with a wine stopper. That was big enough to work out pretty well. Maybe I'll try the pen again since the proof of concept was OK.

Mark; When drilling the knot or any segmented pen put the square blank in the vise and only snug it up with a block supporting the blank from underneath. Drill gently and at slow speed with a newly sharpened drill bit. Heat is your enemy.

The stopper looks nice! Confused Randy. This is three photos of one stopper?

 

[Jgrden]

Nice recovery.

 

[mrcook4570]

When drilling segmented blanks, I wrap them with several layers of masking tape and then drill them. This keeps them from blowing apart and it turns away very easily after the tube has been glued in place.

 

[Fishinbo]

Turned out to be great looking wine stoppers! Like the designs, choice of wood and the finish.

 

[markwads]

Mark; When drilling the knot or any segmented pen put the square blank in the vise and only snug it up with a block supporting the blank from underneath. Drill gently and at slow speed with a newly sharpened drill bit. Heat is your enemy.

The stopper looks nice! Confused Randy. This is three photos of one stopper?

Three pictures of the same stopper.