Several Firsts for me...

[SuperDave]

... as I have not posted any photographs for a long time due to many factors.

Firsts:

1. First closed end Writing Instrument
2. First Corian blank
3. First drilling on my lathe vs. drill press
4. First use of my ER32 Collet Chuck and collets
5. First time wet sanding

What I learned:

Closed end is not as difficult as it first looked. I doubt I will be using the end caps in the kits any time soon.

I got some White Corian from Michale's classified ad. It was a joy to turn. Nice thing about the Corian: The ribbons crumble! So keeping the lathe running is a welcome advantage.

Drilling on the lathe is 10x more accurate than the drill press and jig. I was able to use 3/4" blanks on a full sized Gentleman's kit and the holes were spot on from end to end!

Using the ER32 Collet Chuck has improved the overall quality immeasurably. Will never go back to a traditional mandrel.

Wet sanding really is the way to go. I started with 320 grit wet/dry and went through 12K MM and the results are superior.

Gentleman with Caribbean Swirl and White Corian. The barrel shape fits the hand perfectly. It was going to California as a wedding gift... but may stay here...

Pictures could be better but I don't have the time to mess with it right now...

 

[PaulDoug]

Beautiful pen. How did you like turning corian? What did you hold the blank with to drill it? the collet Chuck? I've wanted to drill blanks on my lathe but I don't have anything to hold them. Again, very nice job on that pen.

 

[SuperDave]

Paul,

Thanks for the kind words.

The Corian was a dream to work with.

I used my Oneway Stronghold Bowl Chuck with the long (nose) jaw set to hold the blanks. One blank was round and the white Corian was square.

 

[MobilMan]

That is a very nice pen. Never thought about mixing Corian & Acrylic. Got me to thinking. Try ebay. I got 100 blanks for $42.00 including shipping. By golly, I'd have second thoughts about giving that one away.

 

[GoodTurns]

very nice effect. gonna try that one!

 

[jskeen]

Some people around here don't seem to like mixed material pens, but I think that's a great match. Only thing that would improve it, IMHO, would be a custom finial turned from the corian to replace the black button on the cap.

 

[Ligget]

Looks great from over here too, little white piece of Corian in the finial would really set it off (as James said above).

 

[spitfire]

Very nice. Closed end pens in something I have to add to my resume one of these days.

 

[SuperDave]

Thanks for the comments!

I agree with the White Finial idea. I will most likely disassemble the cap and give it a shot! Will let you know how it "turns" out.

Dave

 

[desertyellow]

Great pen.
I understand your second thoughts about seeing go away to CA.
Wonderful finish.

 

[bitshird]

I like the mixed media, nice job on the closed end

 

[PaulDoug]

OK Dave, here's the challenge, if you replace the black on the finial, you need to replace the black on the band. I know you can do it!

 

[igran7]

Beautiful Pen Dave. I am in the minority about mixed media pens, I LOVE THEM! And you pulled it off wonderfully. Glad to see you taking the plunge with closed-enders. Again great work![][8D]

 

[SuperDave]

Originally posted by PaulDoug

OK Dave, here's the challenge, if you replace the black on the finial, you need to replace the black on the band. I know you can do it!

Paul... you had to go and say that....[}]

 

[SuperDave]

Originally posted by igran7

Beautiful Pen Dave. I am in the minority about mixed media pens, I LOVE THEM! And you pulled it off wonderfully. Glad to see you taking the plunge with closed-enders. Again great work![][8D]

Thanks Joe... after seeing all your closed end creations over the past months, it was time to take a stab at it.

What method do you use to remove the finial in the cap?

We still need to get together for a casting party...

Dave

 

[airrat]

Nice color combination Dave. The pen looks great and balanced.

 

[SuperDave]

Originally posted by airrat

Nice color combination Dave. The pen looks great and balanced.

Thanks Tom,

The pen fits great in the hand, with the "bulge" fitting nicely in the crook of my hand. Even my wife likes the feel. Given that it is a full size Gentleman, I feel I got "lucky" with the final fit.

... now about that finial and center band....[]

 

[Glenn McCullough]

don't change any of those things, either...came out great!

 

[Buzz]

Great pen Dave. The shape of the closed end perfectly complements the cap finial, beautifully proportioned.

 

[SuperDave]

Glenn and Chris,

Thanks for the kind words. I do want to execute a "replaced cap finial" at some point... maybe not this one... still contemplating...