September PITH Pictures!

[penmaker1967]

i am about half way done with my partners pen hopefully i can get it finshed this week i have a doc app tommorrow so i should get a little shop time

 

[pesto126]

I have also started and stopped my pen a few times but think my latest attempt is the winner! So long as I don't screw up the next step that is...

 

[Fordwakeman]

Pith Pen

This is the pen I sent to Lathemaster.

Details

Top is a Brass era car (late teens early 20s) Schrader valve (tire valve stem). I cut it down and soldered 2 brass nuts in place, between the nuts I glued gears and parts from antique wind up wrist watches and cast it all in resin. Then I turned it down on the lathe.

The Bottom is a Kynoch 500 express nitro shell casing. Some time in its life it was necked down to .458, not by me. This is a British safari load used to hunt cape buffalo. Not a very common shell casing.

The nib of the pen is a .458 500 grain Barnes Triple shock copper hollow point.

The pen is setup to retract a mini cross refill from twisting the bullet. The bullet pulls out in order to facilitate changing the refill.

 

[wyone]

very cool

 

[Cmiles1985]

It's been a nice day to spend with family and friends in the garage, but the mailman showed up with my PITH package from SMJ1957. This pen looks awesome! Thank you very much! I'll let you add the details of construction.

 

[Si90]

Here is the pen I received from my partner Wyone. Twist action pen made from 36 layers of materials including leather, acrylic, wood of various types, copper and 3 US coins - I know because he sent me a list. Lots of time and work gone into this one, thank you very much its really cool.

 

[healeydays]

Here is the pen I received from my partner Wyone. Twist action pen made from 36 layers of materials including leather, acrylic, wood of various types, copper and 3 US coins - I know because he sent me a list. Lots of time and work gone into this one, thank you very much its really cool.

Wow, that is a beautiful pen. Alot of glue ups on that baby...

 

[wyone]

Thanks for posting the pictures. Yours are WAY better than any I took.

 

[BSea]

Is the clip wrapped in copper tape? If so, that's a great idea. :good:

 

[wyone]

It actually is a piece of 3/8 copper tubing that I cut a section off lengthwise. I then folded the sides in to make a thicker more rigid clip, soldered the inside together, left enough length that I could fold it over the top of the copper coupling on top of the pen and soldered it there as well. lots of soldering, and then grinding to make it smooth. I wanted to match the smoothness of the rest of the pen, but as much as I tried I could not get the same smoothness. I then decided to see what effect a wire wheel on a grinder would have on the copper and I liked that effect so I kept it.

 

[wyone]

The only thing I used that was manufactured were the tubes, the transmission and the ink cartridge. Everything else I made

 

[SteveJ]

I started off thinking I would do my first casting - trying to use epoxy as done by Indiana Parrothead, but didn't have time or resources to purchase the epoxy he uses. Tried another method, following a youtube video which showed how someone was sort of casting fishing rods by heating the epoxy as it was slowly turning to remove all the air bubbles. It didn't work.

So, I started with an SPW classic vintage convertible pen kit. I wrapped the tubes in aluminum tape and some thin copper. I took some gears I picked up at Hobby Lobby and screwed them into the lower tube. For the upper tube, I screwed on the brass channels. Put it all together and found that the screws extended too far into the tube so the pen wouldn't go together

Took out the screws, ground them down and screwed the whole thing up again No casting, so the pen doesn't feel too smooth when you put it in your pocket, but it is usable to write with because of the nib. Twas a fun project. Glad you enjoy it.

Steve

It's been a nice day to spend with family and friends in the garage, but the mailman showed up with my PITH package from SMJ1957. This pen looks awesome! Thank you very much! I'll let you add the details of construction.

 

[wyone]

I like it a LOT. But I had to laugh because I was reading how you assembled it with screws my thought was how did you keep the screws from interfering with the transmission or the ink? LOL Sounds like you resolved that and I really like it

 

[Cmiles1985]

The other very interesting thing in the box is the stabilized aspen blank. That wood looks very curly and highly figured. I can't wait to make something of it!

 

[Brian G]

I received my PITH from BSea yesterday. For sad reasons, my original partner in the PITH, truckfixr, had to take time away. He elected to forward the pen and goodies from BSea. Good on you, Chuck, and God bless!

The pen is outstanding!



Bob wrote a nice story, which I'll summarize. You can see the copper mesh, distressed and made to look a little oxidized. The "planking" is from a model ship that, to my good fortune, Bob said he never completed. Way to not complete something, Bob. :biggrin: The picture doesn't show the distressed wood planking too well, but it looks exactly like you'd expect weathered and fractured wood to look.

There's a band of colored wire at the lip end that gives it a nice pop of color. Overall, this is a great pen that I treasure.

Bob also sent some goodies with the pen:



My wife immediately remarked that the resin blank on top of the stack coordinated with the area rug in our family room. I think that blank will have be be used for a crossword solving pen or pencil. I'm excited to turn each of the blanks. I'm just starting down the casting path, so these two are inspirations.

Thanks, Bob!

 

[CrimsonKeel]

View attachment 122644



View attachment 122643

Awesome pen. love the mesh look of the copper.
that purple blank looks really tempting too

 

[denniszoomy]

Here is the Pen that Davej_07 sent me. It is his first attempt at a steampunk pen. The body is solid copper turned on a metal lathe, he put a groove in the middle and added silver solder to make it look like it was more then one piece of pipe. The pen has some weight to it and rest wells in my hand. "good Job" Dave on your very first steampunk pen. He also sent me 4 blanks which I look forward to turning.

 

[Rounder]

OMG!!!BAZINGA!!!BINGO!!!JACKPOT!!!WOOOWZER!!!

Needless to say, I received my PITH pen from Si90 today. AMAZING!!!:biggrin:
The packaging was almost as great as the pen itself. Wonderfully done and I would say I am the biggest winner (though we are all winners here)!
And yes it even came with a can of Renaissance Wax and 3 very nice blanks!

 

[Si90]

STEAMPUNK PITH

Glad you liked the pen Randy. Thankfully it arrived in one piece, it's always a worry with the glass pens.

Here are a couple of pictures I took of the pen before I sen it

 

[mredburn]

Simon your pens are simply amazing.

 

[Rounder]

Simon your pens are simply amazing.

LOL, the packaging was amazing, the pen was indescribely fantastic!!!

 

[healeydays]

Simon,

That pen is simply over the top! If I had received that pen, I'd be scared to use it and might have to put it in a glass display and put it next to the Dali, as it is simply a work of art...

Mike B

 

[plano_harry]

That is amazing work Simon!

 

[Edgar]

Truly amazing work Simon!
Congrats on getting such a work of art, Randy. That's one to treasure for sure!

 

[magier412]

All I can say is "WOW". Amazing pen.

Glad you liked the pen Randy. Thankfully it arrived in one piece, it's always a worry with the glass pens.

Here are a couple of pictures I took of the pen before I sen it

 

[JasonC]

Glad you liked the pen Randy. Thankfully it arrived in one piece, it's always a worry with the glass pens.

Here are a couple of pictures I took of the pen before I sent it

As someone who taught and certified people in IPC soldering, those are some nice fillets around the rod/tubes.

 

[Si90]

As someone who taught and certified people in IPC soldering, those are some nice fillets around the rod/tubes.

Thanks. It is quite a task to braze something that small and quite light gauge metal in some cases with solder that doesn't melt until well over 650°. I need to investigate getting a torch with micro burners that gives enough heat. Butane burners only work on small/thin metal and my propane/butane mix burner which is higher temp is quite an art to use with the large size flame it gives.

 

[wyone]

I assumed you were using a jewelry torch. I know my sister in law had one and it made what I would consider to be almost a micro flame. I know I would not have been able to use it without a magnifying lens.

LOVE your work by the way. I totally can see the hours it takes to make those works of art.

 

[mark james]

I Got PITH'ed!

Just received my pen (and a nice portfolio) from Andy (pesto126) and it's GREAT!

As with all the pictures above, all of these pens are coming out different, and that's cool. A lot of creativity here.

Thank you Andy - I'll let you have the honors for a description. I will say that while it is a textured (not smooth) pen, it is very comfortable and on a kit that I love using.

 

[wyone]

WOW... LOVE this!

I just received the package from Rounder (Randy) and have to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. He made me an amazing pen using one of George's dwarf Banskia pods. It came out amazing, but on top of that, he said he made some obvious mistakes ( which are so obvious I have not found them yet) so he made me a SECOND pen using mesquite. He hoped I would not be too disappointed in what he created for me. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is GREAT as well. On top of two AMAZING pens, he included 3 blanks for me as well. I cannot say thank you enough!

 

[mark james]

Rounder: That is way cool!!!

 

[toddlajoie]

Rounder: That is way cool!!!

I think that statement requires ALL CAPS!!!

 

[CrimsonKeel]

That pen is sweet. Like its pumping the toxic waste. I love it.

 

[wyone]

Just have to say, the pictures do not do the pen justice. It is even more amazing when you hold it in your hand Thank you again Rounder!

 

[Si90]

That's cool Rounder. Congrats wyone on receiving a great pen.

I have been mulling over something similar for a "themed pen" based on a passing comment from a member in one of my threads. From your pen I think it may be a goer if I get round to it.

 

[robutacion]

Well, I have seen a few of my Banksia dwarf Resifills made into pens but, this one is simply "crazy" looking...!:biggrin:

Who else would think in adding those little flexible tubes in the pod's eyes...???

Great work Randy, a very impressive pen you made in this year's Pith, well done...!:wink::biggrin:

Lucky you, Mitch...!

Cheers
George

 

[pesto126]

Just received my pen (and a nice portfolio) from Andy (pesto126) and it's GREAT!

As with all the pictures above, all of these pens are coming out different, and that's cool. A lot of creativity here.

Thank you Andy - I'll let you have the honors for a description. I will say that while it is a textured (not smooth) pen, it is very comfortable and on a kit that I love using.

Thanks Mark - I am really glad you like it! While I would love to have encased the whole thing in resin, I just didn't have the time to make that happen so the pen has a more "natural" texture to it.

The pen itself is made from hand colored thermoplastic which was then molded around the brass tubing. I curved various gold and brass jewelry findings and then heated the thermoplastic using a heat gun to allow the findings to adhere into the plastic- once cooled, the thermoplastic retains its shape. It was finished with a glossy varnish though it didn't shine as much as I was hoping - next time, I'll try using some buffing to see how that takes on the plastic.

It is a difficult material to use on a curved surface but I am finding it works very well for pens and I am having fun perfecting things to obtain a smooth exterior.

The portfolio is handmade from leather and sized to fit the moleskin style notebooks as provided - you can fit up to 3 notebooks in there using a rubber band to hold 2 of them together (actually looks better with more books inside)... the bookmark cord has some findings that match those included in the pen to complete the set.

This was a great project and I am happy to have pushed myself into it... some really amazing pens have been produced.. thx for sharing everyone!

 

[Rounder]

I just received the package from Rounder (Randy) and have to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. He made me an amazing pen using one of George's dwarf Banskia pods. It came out amazing, but on top of that, he said he made some obvious mistakes ( which are so obvious I have not found them yet) so he made me a SECOND pen using mesquite. He hoped I would not be too disappointed in what he created for me. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is GREAT as well. On top of two AMAZING pens, he included 3 blanks for me as well. I cannot say thank you enough!

Glad you liked it Mitch. This was fun and really stretched the "old" noggin to come up with something. When I saw this kit with the green jewel in it, George's blank just jumped out at me it matched so well. Was trying to think of different ways to make it look like it was pumping through the pen and finally hit on a guitar string to look like a tube going from hole to hole. So drilled holes in the filled spaces and cut string to length, bent them then CA was used to make them stick.

Thanks for all the kind comments from everyone. This was my first steampunk pen to make so it was challenging.

Love these PITH's. Really make you get creative.

 

[Rounder]

That's cool Rounder. Congrats wyone on receiving a great pen.

I have been mulling over something similar for a "themed pen" based on a passing comment from a member in one of my threads. From your pen I think it may be a goer if I get round to it.

Thanks Simon. To think I might have inspired the Steampunk Master humbles me. You are too kind.

 

[plano_harry]

Perfect combination of weird nature and steampunk -- great inspiration Rounder!