First Statesman.......

[bearfretworks]

.....and a pair of cigars. Fountain pen is for a friend at work to give as a gift. Made with bias cut canarywood from a board I got from chitswood. Anyone else have "problems" drilling the big hole? Bit kept wandering......

Cigars are mesquite from mesquiteman and desert ironwood from someone here, sorry I can't remember who......[:I]

Finish is 5 coats of lacquer and waxed.

 

[Jim15]

Very nice pens Barry.

 

[Glenn McCullough]

Barry,
Nice pens. perhaps drilling in increasing size bits will do the trick. I had a cheap ryoby bench top that did the same thing,that worked for me. I finally made the investment in a hitachi floor model. Now, I still double drill the larger holes, but that is only my preference.

 

[johncrane]

pens look good mate your friend will be very happy.

 

[Penmonkey]

Looking good! I like the mesquite pen. I sometimes have a problem with the biggest bit wandering, but haven't fixed it.

 

[huntersilver]

Great looking pens[]

 

[Ligget]

Great pens Barry, I have not had problems with the larger hole, not sure how to help![]

 

[cozee]

Sharp looking pens! For the bit wandering, first make sure it is sharp. Also, a "flatter" angle will allow the bit to walk/wander easier. If it is a frequient problem, try a different bit. As suggest earlier, another solution is to simply drill a smaller pilot hole first. In wood I suggest one no bigger than 1/3rd the size of the final size. A bigger pilot hole will allow the final bit to be a bit agressive and chew its way down and can cause worse problems(like tearing) than the wandering itself.

 

[bearfretworks]

Thanks for the compliments and the drilling tips. Yes, it is a relatively "flat" bit, not a brad point. It is the "recommended" bit with the kit. I'll try some practice holes in scraps before committing to "good" blanks!

 

[challagan]

Excellent work buddy!! Those are great looking pens. I fight the drift on occassion as well Barry. I double drill and I use Epoxy then to glue in the tubes.

Corey