Most common reason for a pen turning out badly

[cdcarter]

Now and then, something goes wrong, right? OK, maybe just for me. But on the theory somebody else may screw up occasionally ...

I originally had "working too fast" as an option, but for me, that's at the root of nearly all the answers.

 

[Dario]

Mine is "out of round barrels".

Usually due to misalignment, flexing or bent mandrel, etc. Fixed that with a Beall collet chuck []

 

[Rifleman1776]

Like Dario, out of round barrels. I corrected that by using proper size drills, often not suppliers reccomendation and going to the 'no mandrel' method of turning. Also, finding a large dose of patience that had been lacking previously.

 

[doddman70]

Most common problem used to be out of round but i to fixed that with a collet chuck. now i would have to say the most common would be bad blanks. its not because of dull tools or that i got to aggressive in turning no it would have to be because of bad blanks[][][]

Shane

 

[Ligget]

Mine was out of round barrels too, sorted with a Beall chuck on my DVR and an Axminster collet chuck on my Jet 1014.[]

 

[GaryMGg]

You forgot "loose nut behind the wheel" as a choice. [)][]

 

[kent4Him]

Pushing the transmition too far into the slimline has happened a few too many times. One of the reasons I don't like the slimlines. I don't seem to have that problem on the european.

 

[GBusardo]

Originally posted by Rifleman1776
finding a large dose of patience

That would be me [][B)] I would have voted, but I could not find the operator error choice

 

[mrcook4570]

Originally posted by GBusardo
That would be me [][B)] I would have voted, but I could not find the operator error choice

Operator error is almost always the cause.

 

[thewishman]

I have trouble with burl blanks losing chunks - usually due to too little glue and too much pressure. It is an expensive problem.[B)]

Chris

 

[Narwhale]

Yeap. []

I do them all.[}]

Thankfully not usually all on the same pen []

although, sometimes......... [8D]

Rich S. []

 

[TBone]

Operator error and loose nut behind the wheel sound a lot better than what I was thinking.........My lack of skill []

 

[NancyLaird]

I seem to have gotten a lot of blanks lately that have flown apart on me. Most of them were spalted, but a couple were some hydrangea blanks that I got from Bill Fourness (not to open an old wound) several months ago. They were dripping wet when I got them and they cracked as they dried. Even CA didn't help them.

Nancy

 

[rd_ab_penman]

Yep, Operator error here too[]

 

[OKLAHOMAN]

Originally posted by mrcook4570
<br />

Originally posted by GBusardo
That would be me [][B)] I would have voted, but I could not find the operator error choice

Operator error is almost always the cause.

Me also!

 

[mick]

Mine would have to be a bad finish, which actually isn't a permanent problem most of the time! Just time consuming.

 

[Malainse]

Operator error.... This lapis has a bit too much gold in it..[][]

 

[stevers]

I have been known to mess up a finish or two in my time.[][][}][}]

 

[Blind_Squirrel]

My messups can usually be traced back to defective workmanship (mine!) []

 

[grumps]

I agree with Stan -- operator error has caused more problems for me than anything else.

 

[palmermethod]

As a newbie, on my first three pens there were a few glitches I was able to sort out. However the biggest error I couldn't correct was off-center drilling. I have 11 pens/pencils that I'm allocating for the beginners learning curve.

And of course, I am already hooked. I love penturning. Sharpening is still hard though. Thanks for the great site and kind sharing of almost "Trade Secrets".

 

[Arthritis]

Is it still operator error when one doesn't know what they are doing?

 

[BigRob777]

Like Dario, my biggest problem is also out of round barrels. I've noticed that the slightest thumb-nut pressure makes the mandrel curl slightly. I figured out (recently) that this is probably due to a dull pen mill, which leaves chatter and causes the blank end to be uneven. That's my guess anyway. I'm going to sharpen my mill before I turn my next pen and see if that's right.

Finish is my 2nd biggest problem, though I've got a nice system with dipping in minwax sanding sealer. It does tend to stink for a few days though.

Rob

EDIT: Wow, I had no idea that so many people had the same problem I do. I also need to sharpen my tools more often. This has been really helpful, as I might just go out and buy a bealle chuck. Thanks for being honest folks.

 

[tiedt]

Being more of a newbie than anything, I would say it is more me thinking that I can just touch that up a little to make it look better or thinking that I am a pen pro and not think and then realize at the wrong time, that I should not have done that...Ooops!!!