7 idle years

For many reasons, mainly health, I stepped away from making pens for about 7 years. Yes, I missed it a lot as well as the friendship, support, and camaraderie here. So, after replacing the drive belts on both my band saw and lathe which deteriorated badly while sitting idle in the heat/cold in my garage/shop, I decided to make a few pens. I particularly love rollerball pens and will likely focus on doing them unless someone specifically requests a ballpoint pen or even a fountain pen.

I am putting a couple of images of my pens over the past week or so. Be kind as I am most definitely rusty and have to strive to build some skill. Also, I have not gotten my photo box back together so poor lighting and just shot this under terrible conditions. The colors in the blank on the Music pen are just beautiful and really "pop" under good lighting.

A friend from church is buying the "Faith, Hope, Love" rollerball with black walnut. I really like this kit and the Bethlehem Olive Wood is beautiful too.

Very nice pens. Seems like your pen turning is like riding a bicycle, you never lose the knack. And welcome to IAP.

After 7 years of getting rusty you seem to have got it all together pretty well.
One comment/advice I would give is the ends of the turned blanks are very sharp and abrupt. Try rolling them over with some sand paper. It will soften the edges and helps to match up the ends with the hardware without needing to be super critical on diameter when you turn. All you need like a 1/64 to 1/32 round over will make a world of difference for you.

Woodchipper said:

Very nice pens. Seems like your pen turning is like riding a bicycle, you never lose the knack. And welcome to IAP.

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Thank you my friend. I ride with a motorcycle ministry so that is absolutely true.

Mortalis said:

After 7 years of getting rusty you seem to have got it all together pretty well.
One comment/advice I would give is the ends of the turned blanks are very sharp and abrupt. Try rolling them over with some sand paper. It will soften the edges and helps to match up the ends with the hardware without needing to be super critical on diameter when you turn. All you need like a 1/64 to 1/32 round over will make a world of difference for you.

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Yes sir, great advice. I do normally like to turn it in more but then, I am rusty.

Woodchipper said:

Very nice pens. Seems like your pen turning is like riding a bicycle, you never lose the knack. And welcome to IAP.

Click to expand...

I absolutely love doing pens and being in my "Happy Place" which is my little shop in the garage where my motorcycle is too.

They make motorcycle pen kits, too.

Welcome back to the addiction, and enjoy the ride!