I like the word "stylophile" .... does she call you a "turn-o-maniac" yet ? . Be ready for it ... this pen-making is addictive.
I also like the pen and box !! . Very nice gift indeed !!
I really like doing acrylics especially when it comes to finishing. . When you get the hang of it you will be able to turn the surface so smooth that only a little sanding will be required and the polishing, with appropriate agents, will leave you really satisfied with the results.
Of course, you have to be careful to avoid heat build up at all stages with acrylics.
Sooner or later you will encounter Alumilite blanks which are much more tolerant and easy to turn. . However they do not polish up quite as well, at least in my experience.
It is hard to beat acrylic acetate (AA), which it looks like you used, until you discover Rhino plastics.
Oh, and BTW, we all use the term "acrylic" ... and many of us do so indiscriminately to mean anything in the broad plastic and resin categories ... but there are some "purists" on this website who insist that it should be used for only certain subsets of the broader categories. I am not one of those "purists". . You have been warned ! :biggrin: