Thanks a million Tom, that is an amazing pen you got there, I might have to try one someday. I actually just turned my first pen two days ago, so I have a ways to go before I attempt anything like that, but I was curious how you did it. I've seen spirals on other turnings, and had no idea. I figured it had to be all in the layout.
Tom, since I have your attention, have any advice on finish (I know wrong forum) I've gotten about a zillion different answers, and I'm probably going to try the CA/BLO finish next, I've use BLO on a bunch of my woodworking projects and I've always liked it. I used shellwax on my first two pens (because thats what I got in the kit) and they turned out pretty good. I'm still just practicing though.
Chuck