Welcome to IAP. Thanks for joining in and post some picts of your work. It seems to me that you may already have a metal lathe. Several people make their pens with a the metal lathe. And by the nature of your name, advancing to more complex and larger pens will not be so difficult.
Thanks. Actually I don't have a metal lathe, but I dearly wish I did. I have used one many times, but I am by no means a machinist. And thanks for the compliment on moving up to more challenges.
I've been making pens for a couple of years as a matter of fact. Mostly slim lines with many different types of wood and 'plastics', bone, and antler. I've done inlays with epoxies, CA and 'colored dusts', and even Inlace inlay kits. We've (father, brother and I) played with making our own laminates in different patterns and materials and colors.
We've had a lot of fun and made a lot of pens, as well as some other turning projects.
I guess where I am now is I want to "move up" to higher quality pen kits and components. I want to take some of the experience I have gained over the last while, and use that to make some really nice quality pieces. I want to make something different, just like everyone else.:biggrin:
I am a bit under schooled on things like finishes. I've basically been using just a wax type finish, or sometimes CA. I'm not totally happy with the CA finish, I don't like to coat the wood. I'm wondering about things like a tung oil finish on the woods, or BLO.
I'm looking at getting into fountain pens and want quality parts.
Thanks to all for the warm welcome! Glad I finally found this place.
Mr Fixit