Found some solid aluminium rod today!

[rsx1974]

Couldn't resist, found a solid rod today that could make 5 or so pens. It turned very slow!!

Matched it up against a gunmetal frame and I think it has a unique look.

It's a very solid feeling Slimline.

Something new and fun.

 

[laurie sullivan]

i like i like i like. did you use a skew or a gouge? real nice job.

laurie

 

[rsx1974]

Laurie,

I actually used a parting tool that I never use. (Cheap Tool) I was scared to use any of my day to day chisels.

It actually sanded very nice. I had some 60 grit emery cloth laying around.

John

 

[angboy]

Where do you find a rod like that? The pen looks great!

 

[CaptG]

Very nice looking pen. So now that you are into aluminum pens, you won't need that ugly blank it is resting on. I would be happy to take it off your hands.[][}][][]

 

[gketell]

That is a really nice pen!!
GK

 

[LEAP]

Looks good, I've made a few with aluminum, I want to try anodizing them and dying with different colors. Saving the pennies for the anodizing set up.

 

[Randy_]

When you say "ROD", do you mean that it was solid and had to be drilled?? I recall people making pens out of aluminum arrow shafts. Apparently, there is one size that is a close, if not perfect, fit for the slimline kit. Sorry I don't remember the details. Perhaps someone who has done this will happen along. You might email Don Ward. Could be wrong; but I seem to remember that he dabbled in this at one time??

 

[rsx1974]

Randy,

It was solid rod that I had to drill out just like our wood blanks.

The pen has a nice feel but I'm not sure i'll be making to many more.

So many things and ideas to try!!

 

[its_virgil]

I've made several aluminum pens. Thebest aluminum to use is 6061 or 7075. Both will polish to a great shine. The aluminum bars at the local hardware depts are alloys and may be too hard to turn, but the 6061 and 7075 are mostly aluminum and they machine really well. Our HSS tools are harder than the aluminum so any of them can be used. Just take small cuts. The tool and the rod will get hot so be careful. I get drops from a local machine shop that uses these two grades of aluminum. They have several diameters and I can get one that is close to the pen's diameter and don't have to remove a lot of material. The rod can also be purchased at places like Enco (http://www.use-enco.com) and MSC (http://www1.mscdirect.com). Powdercoating is a good choice for coloring the blanks and someone here was anodizing to color the aluminum. Maybe a search will find something. There is a powdercoating article in the library on aluminum pens and there has been one in Woodturning Design. A few were fun to make. Take a look at Mike Roux's gallery at http://www.penmakersguild.com
Do a good turn daily!
Don

Originally posted by angboy
<br />Where do you find a rod like that? The pen looks great!

 

[GaryMGg]

John,
Superb looking pen. Real sharp.

 

[Draken]

You can also order the rods from one of our very own members: jcollazo
http://www.turncrafts.com/metals.html

No affiliation other than being a satisfied customer of his custom mandrels. May just have to order some of this aluminum once the budget allows.

 

[Jim15]

Really like the pen, nice work.

 

[Tuba707]

What is that blank back there? Is it Coolibah burl?

 

[rsx1974]

Thanks for the input on metal sources!!

The wood in the backgrounf was some red malee.

 

[Tanner]

That's awesome, nice job!

 

[NavyDiver]

Beautiful pen! Something else to add to the list to try!