First Fountain - Candied Glamour

[Sappheiros]

My first fountain pen was meant to be fair and fancy! I'd been waiting to turn a pen with the Blue/Pink dyed box elder burl (such a gorgeous blank)! I had actually meant to turn this pen earlier, but I need a drill bit a bit (pun intended) larger than my 1/2" set would provide. The one I got was 33/64", as the kit asks, but it made quite a tight fit... Does everyone else drill their blanks so tightly? I usually leave space (maybe too much space leading to chips...).

On this pen, I did have a couple chips fly off, but I took some of the colored sawdust and glued it on. It looks pretty good otherwise. (Not a big fan of those eyes peeking through, though.)

Pen #15 - Cambridge Fountain
Kit: Cambridge Fountain Pen - Silver Accents with Titanium Gold
Blank: Turners Choice Double Dyed Box Elder Burl - Blue/Pink (CSUSA)

 

[Jack Parker]

Good looking pen, Avi. Nice job!

 

[Sappheiros]

Thanks, Jack!

 

[dthayer]

Nice pen, Avi!

 

[Drewboy22]

That's a nice pen Avi

 

[southernclay]

Very nice Avi, you've come a long way fast! I like the photo setup too.

 

[magpens]

Avi, that's a very nice looking pen !!!

What finish did you use on it, please ?

 

[1080Wayne]

A 1/4 inch diameter rat tail file works to open up a hole a bit if it slightly under size .

 

[Sappheiros]

Avi, that's a very nice looking pen !!!

What finish did you use on it, please ?

All I used on it was some Mylands friction polish on it. Nothing too crazy! I'm waiting for some nonstick bushings from CSUSA to try my hand at CA finishing (it's a pain without them..)

Thanks for looking!

 

[jsolie]

That is a really nice looking pen!

 

[csr67]

Nice pen! I just turned a Sierra blank of Red dyed box elder burl yesterday. Still need to hit it with CA. If I was you, skip the CA bushings and just do your CA between 60 degree centers. It works a lot better for me and there are no issues with chipping the end of the blanks like I did with my CA bushings.

 

[Sappheiros]

Thanks for looking!

If I was you, skip the CA bushings and just do your CA between 60 degree centers. It works a lot better for me and there are no issues with chipping the end of the blanks like I did with my CA bushings.

That's an interesting idea! I actually placed an order for some bushing when I ordered a new tool, but I'm going to keep that on my to-buy list!

 

[Jgrden]

Beautiful pen !! Now let's work on the finish. It needs to be glossy and show depth. You are really onto something great.

 

[Sappheiros]

Beautiful pen !! Now let's work on the finish. It needs to be glossy and show depth. You are really onto something great.

I wanted to leave this pen with just the friction polish, but I see that might have been an error if I wanted to highlight the wonderful colors. I'm still very new and using CA finish is a challenge! I turned a pen tonight that got a little "lumpy" if that's the right word... I believe thick CA is not the right route to go. I have a new bottle of thin and medium to break out, so experimenting will happen!

I will say this, though: I've only made 17 pens so far, so I have a lifetime of learning to go! The CA does give a really nice shine to envy, though! I've mostly worked with acrylic blanks because of the infinite choices, but the same can be said for woods. I recently purchased a package of gorgeous blue dyed burl and I know will turn many fantastic pens! Let the experimenting commence!