Banksia Pod in NH

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mikespenturningz

mikespenturningz

Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2012
Messages
4,368
Location
Claremont NH
OK I have been reading about these blanks for some time here in IAP so I decided to give some a try. I got onto Georges site and ordered a few. Shipping was remarkably fast from Australia. These may be the toughest to turn I have done in a long time. I had to sharpen my skew several times to keep the pressure down and just shave them slowly. I was able to turn them but it was not easy. They are well worth what George charges for them that is for sure. I didn't back paint and I am not sure if I would back paint the next ones either as the brass looks pretty good coming through the hairy part, maybe a brown would look good but not white or black I don't think? Well here is the end result.

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mikespenturningz said:
OK I have been reading about these blanks for some time here in IAP so I decided to give some a try. I got onto Georges site and ordered a few. Shipping was remarkably fast from Australia. These may be the toughest to turn I have done in a long time. I had to sharpen my skew several times to keep the pressure down and just shave them slowly. I was able to turn them but it was not easy. They are well worth what George charges for them that is for sure. I didn't back paint and I am not sure if I would back paint the next ones either as the brass looks pretty good coming through the hairy part, maybe a brown would look good but not white or black I don't think? Well here is the end result.
Click to expand...

You see...! it didn't hurt that much, din't it...???:wink::biggrin:

I'm glad that you felt confident to tackle these blanks, they are a challenge, regardless of what language you speak but, I see that you done a terrific job with it, congrats...!

As for the brass showing, I do prefer to see a good matching dark brown, on that tube surface however, is not the end of the world if the tube is not painted, it depends a lot of what type of kit was used, and the thickness possible on the final barrels.

There is also the fact that, not all pods are the same what I mean is, the size of the pod core and the amount of red velvet and hairs, can change slightly from pod to pod so, the amount of pod materials that will stay attached to the tube, can vary slightly, making transparency a little more obvious from blank to blank, and that is just the nature of the "beast".

I'reckon, you done a great job with it...!

Cheers
George
 
Fantastic looking pen Mike !! These blanks are surely worth the little extra cost and time it takes to turn them. George makes a terrific blank out of the pods. Only reason I back painted my one pen was because there were a few spots that were clear all the way through, so I matched the brown to the pod. The seond pen was kitless, so there were no tubes involved. One realy has to hold these pens in their hands and be able to turn them around in the proper lite to fully see the true beauty that lies within !! Beautiful craftsmanship !! This one will be hard to part with !! Jim S
 
..nice Mike. To me it resembles a "feather" look, and I like it that way! Nicely done! Be well......Jan
 
Beautiful Pen Mike,
Glorious Blank George,
The hard work, makes the Finished Pen, more Precious to the Turner.
Fantastic Fit and Finish.
Great work.
Brian.
 
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