pen inlay

[Roger Schlenz]

I saw a pen some time ago that had what looked like an an inlay running the length of the barrel of the pen. I have used inserts for celtic knots, but the insert was the full width of the blank so it showed on both sides. I couldn't see the other side of the pen to see if the inlay was visible on both sides of the barrel. Inlays, from Rockler and others, are about 1/28" thick. Are there inlays that run 3/4" inch wide, that can be used as an insert? Or did the turner rout a groove along the length of the barrel after it was turned down to its final diameter?

 

[Todd in PA]

I imagine that they ripped it lengthwise on a table saw. Then you can glue any thickness you want in between, glue it back together, and then resquare the blank.

 

[farmer]

Several ways to do that, table saw, router table. metal lathe with a live cutter and a indexer, a mill .

 

[mark james]

I saw a pen some time ago that had what looked like an an inlay running the length of the barrel of the pen. I have used inserts for celtic knots, but the insert was the full width of the blank so it showed on both sides. I couldn't see the other side of the pen to see if the inlay was visible on both sides of the barrel. Inlays, from Rockler and others, are about 1/28" thick. Are there inlays that run 3/4" inch wide, that can be used as an insert? Or did the turner rout a groove along the length of the barrel after it was turned down to its final diameter?

If what you saw was recent, I'll suspect it is Alan's work: https://www.penturners.org/threads/masculine-or-feminine.174212/
He also has more from previous threads: https://www.penturners.org/threads/recent-experiments.173647/

In the past, I have constructed 2, 3 and 4 sided designs where the 'inlay' matches on all views. The 2 sided ones are easily built to extend completely through the blank. The 3 and 4 sided need to be assembled either with cutting slots, or staves. If you have not looked at it yet, the Segmenting area of the IAP Library is a great resource.: https://www.penturners.org/threads/index-menu-of-all-iap-tutorials-last-update-4-2-2022.160513/

Alan does display/his process in his posts.

Here are some that I have done. Alan has used Guitar Purfling as well as making his own inlays. I have constructed my own.

Have fun!

 

[jttheclockman]

You are throwing me when you say 3/4" wide. Not following what you are asking. You can make an inlay any thickness in the world wide. You can make it any length you want. You can cut all the way through and glue back together or you can cut slots as shown and fill inlay material. Need some more info as to what you want to do. But welcome to the great world of segmenting.

 

[leehljp]

Farmer showed the most practical way, IMO. I have done it with a precision jig and slicing (making grooves) with a thin carbide blade (1mm) on a custom made bench top table saw. It was hit and miss for me, but it worked perfect once!

 

[jttheclockman]

I use a router on a jig made platform to make slots and dots and other designs in combination with my lathe. I can make any size slot I choose. Here are some examples.