Aligning Grain Pattern

[Fireengines]

Hello Everyone..
I am having some problems aligning the grain patterns on a two part pen.

Before I cut my plank, I made the mark on one side but when I start turning that mark is gone.

When I am ready to put the pen together, it is best guess on trying to align the grain pattern. Is there a better way to do this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[D.Oliver]

You can mark the inside of the tubes with a black marker.

 

[mick]

Mark the inside of the blank or after turning assemble the pen first then screw center band on the pen and push the upper blank onto the pen aligning the grain. Once this is done press the upper barrel on. Presto aligned grain!

 

[Russknan]

As Derek said. I use a Sharpie and make 4 marks inside each tube on the ends that you want to match. That way, if one or two are removed by cleaning with a wire brush or by scraping off glue residue, you still have the others for reference. Russ

 

[bradh]

I remember asking this question a few years back and someone wiser than me told me that if I could not see how the grain lined up, then it didn't mater.

 

[BSea]

I remember asking this question a few years back and someone wiser than me told me that if I could not see how the grain lined up, then it didn't mater.

I have to agree with this. Besides that, most 2 part pens have different diameters for the barrels, and that alone will sometimes make the grain not match, even if you have a good reference as to where they should line up. As long as it looks close, most people will never take notice. Besides that, most kits are quad start threads, so unless the owner understands how the threads work, it will only be lined up 1 time in 4 anyway (give-or-take).

 

[Jim Burr]

Depending on the kit, most 2 part pens have triple start threads. That translates into a 1 in 3 chance of lining up the grain the first time

 

[keithbyrd]

Depending on the kit, most 2 part pens have triple start threads. That translates into a 1 in 3 chance of lining up the grain the first time

But if you insert the pen so that it is aligned then twist back till it clicks once - then screw in - it will be aligned every time!

 

[BSea]

But if you insert the pen so that it is aligned then twist back till it clicks once - then screw in - it will be aligned every time!

True, but how many people that buy pens know this? Even if you show them, they'll either forget, or not bother. But I'm just going by the pens that I've given to others, and seeing them use the pens. Maybe people who pay for the pens pay more attention. While I'm sure that there are some that do it correctly, I'm guessing most don't.

 

[keithbyrd]

But if you insert the pen so that it is aligned then twist back till it clicks once - then screw in - it will be aligned every time!

True, but how many people that buy pens know this? Even if you show them, they'll either forget, or not bother. But I'm just going by the pens that I've given to others, and seeing them use the pens. Maybe people who pay for the pens pay more attention. While I'm sure that there are some that do it correctly, I'm guessing most don't.

I agree - but I always show them! Haven't had anyone complain about grain alignment!

 

[cwolfs69]

i mark my blanks before turning as well. however, i have gotten away from the sharpie and use my dremel to make a little mark inside the tube. that way alcohol, solvent handling etc do not eradicate my sharpie mark. doesn't take much just a little nick in both tubes.

 

[mikespenturningz]

I like to have the grain match on a pen when I ship it. That is probably the last time it will be matched but it will be right when it leaves.

 

[redbulldog]

I agree with Charlie, to make a permanent mark. The black marks can be removed to easily when you are working on the pen, DAMHIK.
I use a triangle Jewelers file to make a small mark on each tube, works for me.

 

[Jim Burr]

But if you insert the pen so that it is aligned then twist back till it clicks once - then screw in - it will be aligned every time!

True, but how many people that buy pens know this? Even if you show them, they'll either forget, or not bother. But I'm just going by the pens that I've given to others, and seeing them use the pens. Maybe people who pay for the pens pay more attention. While I'm sure that there are some that do it correctly, I'm guessing most don't.

That's the problem I ran into. "Hey...how come the lines on the pen don't match up anymore?" Remember what I showed you when you bought it? "No..." Nuff said