Bic Pen
Hope you get well soon. I'm excited to learn what you have to teach. I actually pulled a bic ink cartridge out of a pen just yesterday and began thinking...
OK, I'll wing it.
It's simple. All you need to do is, using a micrometer, Mic the area of the bic refill (where it wedge fits) into the bic pen. Go to a supplier that sells drill bits (I think it's a numbered bit) (could be wrong) and purchase the most rigid bit you can find. Rigid because drilling the blank is slow and tedious AND, the bill can and will drift off following the grain of the wood. I say rigid, or stiff whichever way you understand to keep it from drifting. I do like a brad point bit.
Glue up, or just find a nice piece of wood that will look great when turned between centers. Probably use Oak for the first few because they will show you how slow to drill to keep the bit from following the grain. Cut the wood approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches longer than the bic.
Put your bic refill next to the bit and mark on the bit the length of the refill.
This will give you the depth to which you will have to drill plus a little extra....1/4". Drill very slowly on the lathe. I use the highest speed combined with a sharp bit moved very slowly into the wood
Using your 60 degree live center in the drilled end, put your blank between centers and turn it. You can do anything or design you like including single or multiple captured rings.
When you get it turned, sanded, and finished, sell it to office workers (especially medical offices) as a side sale to your regular pins. I usually get $10 to $15 for these and usually make them pretty ornate.
I like to inlay turquoise or lapis pieces into the wood. I also purchase at Tandy Leather small plastic cats eye pupils to drill/install into the thick part of the wood as young women love them. Use your imagination.
I get a .10 cent royalty on all thet you sell LOL LOL LOL
Easy and fun to make, easy to sell, and great profit........Jim
