First few attempts

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
See more from Mallory

M

Mallory

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2017
Messages
9
I've turned 7 or 8 pens so far - hopefully have improved a bit so far. But still MUCH more to learn. I'm learning many things with each pen; sand axially, skew chisel better than gouge, friction polish gives natural but not durable finish to name a few. The last thread I read was the $500+ pen thread. Currently my pens are probably worth less than the sum of their parts [emoji15]

I've identified that the next main thing that will improve things (as well as working a lot on the basics of turning technique) is a good way to square the blanks. PSI jig and barrel trimmers seem to get a bad rep so I think I'll go for a home made disc sander jig.

Here goes ... gentle constructive criticism welcomed.

c30e38214f9a14bcaad69114b24d3eae.jpg
7299b3ad2eaa8d48b43b3fd6d507984e.jpg


Cigar pen - spalted maple - centre band fit is dreadful - tube not straight through blank and ends squares to side of blank and not tube. Friction polish finish starting to wear after 2-3 months daily use.

d68d0e21911fc093743c8354ed363e03.jpg
dec3de4e54ce7a159d83155bbaaf7813.jpg


Modified slimline - Bocote with maple accent - reasonable fit. Next time will keep straighter profile on maple centre band for a more European style look.

41bde62a89bf4c6ef3752e3eca96d9a7.jpg


Jr Gent fountain pen - stabilised box elder burl - like the blank and the fit/profile are satisfactory I think.

Lots more room for improvement - I should have at least another 4 decades to get it right!!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Also apologies for the photos - not a great photographer and taken on my iPhone until I eventually get round to getting a 'proper' camera


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The first few pens are always the worst. Your pens look pretty good.

Isn't it funny that the mistakes I make on a pen are so obvious, glaring even, to me, that I cannot understand how other people don't even see them.
 
Mallory, I can not find much to provide Constructive Criticism for.
OK on one pen you have enlarged a Photograph, of the Nib End that shows, a slight oversize, But you have recognized that, and I dare say that, in the Future, you will turn and finish closer to the Bushing Dimension.
I Like what I see, and I see an Excellent Future for you in Pen Turning.
Congratulations,
Brian.
 
Last edited:
Looks like a good start going for ya.To get the best fit possible don't rely on bushings.They will get you really close most of the time but there is variation of a couple thousands with the parts sometimes.It is best to measure the parts themselves and finish to those dimentions.Some like me turn between centers one barrel at a time while others will use finishing bushings on a mandrel to do both barrels after the initial turning is done.There are probably some other ways too but I'm stuck in mine cause it works for me.
 
magpens said:
A belated welcome to you, Mallory !!!!

Your first pens look pretty good !!!!

Hey ... can you post a link to that $500+ pen thread, please ... I can't find it.

Or is it this one ? :biggrin: ...

http://www.penturners.org/forum/f13/first-few-attempts-145726/

No, seriously ... I can't find it.
Click to expand...

Ha - I think my pens would be worth $5 or less! Just as well I'm only doing it as a hobby for now, although it would be nice to sell some to cover costs in a few years when I've got practice under my belt.

I had stumbled across this post (http://www.penturners.org/forum/f17/asked-before-but-what-heck-132687/) so it is just humbling to see how much time, effort and skill that the pen turning doyens put into a pen. Something to aim for ultimately ... and then fall short. At least if the sights are set high then falling short might still be somewhere half decent!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom