Back at it.

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jttheclockman

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No pun intended but does fit:) OK here is my latest 2 pens on Sierra Vista kits. There has been many pen blanks shown using diamonds and segmenting and I will eventually get there too. But here is one of my diamond version pen blanks. I need to use an epoxy resin which I found best to adhere to anything when cast so did not want to take any chances. I needed to color the blank too and thus my attempt at this. I used a blue metallic mica powder on one and a matt black on the other. Again sticking with my theme of using materials readily available to all but rarely used or at least I have not seen them used much. The resin we all know. The diamonds are actual mother of pearl inlay diamonds used on both pool tables and pool cues. They can be had at pool cue supply vendors. Again with this material it is hard for me at least to get a good replica photo showing the glittering and movement in the pearl inlays. It shows as you turn the pen in the light. Also once again any comments or questions are always welcomed. I doubled up on one of the photos in hopes of seeing the change in light. Thanks for looking.


One other thing, I shown these to a friend and now he wants a green so I am going to have to play with coloring the blank again. But out of curiosity as you may notice I reversed the pattern on both pens with the fancy diamond and the solid diamond, which do you prefer??

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jttheclockman

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One is right handed , the other left (?) . Being right handed , I would take the blue one . I assume most people use a pen with the clip on top .
Did not follow that. There are diamonds on 4 sides of the blank what you see on one side you see on the 180 degree opposite side. I just positioned the clip where I thought looked good. No rhyme or reason.
 

skiprat

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I'd give either of them space in my pencil case, but if I could only have one, it would probably be the blue one.
Really glad to see you back at it John. How's the old back coping?
 

jttheclockman

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I'd give either of them space in my pencil case, but if I could only have one, it would probably be the blue one.
Really glad to see you back at it John. How's the old back coping?
Well Skip, have to say one good day and the next not so good. Some days can not stand very long. If it were not for this virus thing I would be getting checked out with mri. But hate to come near a hospital. I will muddle through and just hit the shop when I can. Between us both we are sorry characters I guess. You take care of yourself because you still owe us some creations too and we all look forward to seeing them. take care buddy.
 

jttheclockman

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Thanks everyone for the nice words and I owe a friend one of these and he wants green so will see how that turns out.
 

Ironwood

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Both are exceptional looking pens John.
Since you ask, my preference is for how the blue one is presented, my bias may be influenced by my love of the colour blue. I also much prefer the silver plating over the black, so that may be an influence as well.
Thanks for the inspiration, well done Mate.
 
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Fantastic pens John. I like the looks of the fancy diamond more than the regular diamond if that's what you're asking. It has a bit more pizazz, but that's strictly a subjective thing. I'd take the blue since it has more of them (even though I like the color of the diamond more against the black background).
 

Dehn0045

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Really nice! I like the style of the blue one. Another idea would be to add a half diamond on the ends in line with the centered solid diamond.
 

jttheclockman

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Nice looking stuff John. If you're looking for more MOP options, try the link below. I used many of these patterns similar to what you have done.
Thank you Bruce. I do have some like those. The thing with them is it requires a different type of casting because they are so thin. What I did with these is just glue them to the tube and cast in resin because they are thick enough I turn them down as I am turning down the blank. I have a couple ideas that require that type casting but will have to see how far I get with the rest of these ideas I am working. I have to make a green one of these for a friend as I mentioned. I have the mica picked so will start on that tomorrow hopefully. I included the photo awhile ago but if you look at the bottom you can see these tubes with the diamonds glued to them.

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jttheclockman

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Those are pretty cool John.Like what you got going on here at the end.Did you braid those blanks?That black fluted one is gonna look sharp!
Will not comment on the other blanks just yet. It will take some time to put together the segmented ones and the other blanks because I am going to finish up the 3 pens I got orders for. Not that I am going to be paid for them but a promise to do them for the people. Started today getting a couple of the blanks ready for glue up tomorrow. I am waiting on a couple orders to come in but guess the virus has slowed things down and do not know if the vendor is even open. I have 2 other pens I want to start and they will be watch part pens with a twist. I can say that much. If I can pull the one off it will be a $500 pen at least but will not sell because it will be a one of a kind.
 

BRobbins629

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Thank you Bruce. I do have some like those. The thing with them is it requires a different type of casting because they are so thin. What I did with these is just glue them to the tube and cast in resin because they are thick enough I turn them down as I am turning down the blank. I have a couple ideas that require that type casting but will have to see how far I get with the rest of these ideas I am working. I have to make a green one of these for a friend as I mentioned. I have the mica picked so will start on that tomorrow hopefully. I included the photo awhile ago but if you look at the bottom you can see these tubes with the diamonds glued to them.

View attachment 235833
When I used them, I glued 2 together and then took a found file and tried to shape the bottom to the curve of the tube. Just another idea to put in the data bank.
 

jttheclockman

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When I used them, I glued 2 together and then took a found file and tried to shape the bottom to the curve of the tube. Just another idea to put in the data bank.
That is how I attached the diamonds to the tube. I used a dremel to get the rounded shape and a small round file to clean it up. Have to do that or they will sit too proud of the tube and be cut away when turned to shape. Definitely need to shape to tube some. The thickness of these is just right for a Sierra Vista kit. Even though they are opaque I believe if turned down too much they will become transparent enough to see tube. That is why I chose the Vista.

Man the back is screaming today and not going to be in shop today. The weather is raining here too so not helping.
 
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