3 Sided Chevron Finial and Upper Blank

[mark james]

I constructed these 3 finials for a different project and they have been staring at me for several months. Both the finial and upper blank have 3 inlays. My previous chevron finials were 4 sided - each with a 90 degree points. These needed 120 degree points.

 

[mark james]

Some of the process.

 

[PBorowick]

Mark, those are amazing pens! The detail and workmanship fantastic!!!

 

[Dieseldoc]

WOW, Great work from the Master again!!!!!!!

Mark as you know I like the three Spiral effect, when I made my pin blanks the using 120 degree point seem to balance out the blank much nicer. In this case what you have produced is very effective in balance.

cheers

charlie

 

[bsshog40]

Those are awesome Mark! All I can do is admire and respect the talent and work those. Very nice!

 

[Alan Morrison]

Kodos to you Mark. Love the pen and really admire your workmanship.
Any chance of a photograph showing the jig you use to cut those parts of the chevrons so accurately?
Tanks for all the photographs above ( I just want more )
Alan

 

[mark james]

G'Day Alan.

These IAP Library Articles have most of the important processes:

(M2) Simple Brick Chevron - II

Make a pen blank with a chevron pattern (or any other inlay patterns) on 4 sides of the blank Click on the image below to begin download of PDF. Author: Mark James

www.penturners.org

(M3) Variable Brick Chevron - III

Create pieces need to be uniform for the eventual Chevron to look precise Click on the image below to begin download of PDF. Author: Mark James

www.penturners.org

(M4) Chevron Finials - IV

I believe I mentioned that there may be a “few” challenges to turn these finials, well here they come Click on the image below to begin download of PDF. Author: Mark James

www.penturners.org

But the simple answer is:
1. Construct a "Brick." A Layered block from which you cut your slices.
2. I cut the slices on a Byrnes Model Makers Table saw.
3. I typically cut the slices on a 45 degree angle.

 

[Alan Morrison]

G'Day Alan.
These IAP Library Articles have most of the important processes:

Thanks for getting back to me Mark.
I have all your Library posts downloaded to my laptop, but those last couple of photographs were just what I was looking for.
That's a very thin blade you are using on your Byrnes table saw.
Thanks for the photos, Mark. ( has the postman come yet? )
Alan

 

[SteveJ]

Glad you could see well enough to put this together! I still haven't tried that finial. I love both of them! Great work, as usual.

 

[mark james]

Thanks for getting back to me Mark.
I have all your Library posts downloaded to my laptop, but those last couple of photographs were just what I was looking for.
That's a very thin blade you are using on your Byrnes table saw.
Thanks for the photos, Mark. ( has the postman come yet? )
Alan

Not yet Alan. I'm camping in an Igloo next to the mailbox!

 

[DrD]

Mark, you are so far beyond my capabilities it is unfathomable! I can only dream of doing a pen like you show! Tip o' the hat my friend!

 

[magpens]

Beautiful work, Mark !!!! . And thanks for the pictorial details !!

 

[mark james]

Glad you could see well enough to put this together! I still haven't tried that finial. I love both of them! Great work, as usual.

Hi Steve. The finials were constructed earlier this year for a different project. Switching to the 120 degree angle was pretty easy, but I just didn't get back to combining them with an appropriate blank. The 3 slotted blank was cut also earlier this year, but I neglected to save a similar walnut lower blank - that took some digging into my stash to locate a good match. I actually turned three close matches in color/grain and chose what seemed the best.

Turning the finial was a chore. My tool skills were rusty and I'm adjusting to the floaters. The vision in the left eye is poor in the AM, but seems to get less blurry later in the day, so I just did the turning in the evenings; this will work fine I believe. I was pleased with the finished pen, and will be moving on to a new design this winter. I'm glad that I'm not a "high volume" turner and can just tinker when the mood strikes.

By all means try the finial, I think it would compliment some of your designs. As usual, there is a learning curve, but its all in good fun.

 

[Cwalker935]

Wow! Those are very nice. You have definitely taking segmenting to a new level.

 

[Dalecamino]

Absolutely stunning Mark! I love it when you get shop time. We need to talk!

 

[MRDucks2]

Looking good, Mark. I like that one a lot.

 

[PenHog]

Really gorgeous work!

 

[GaryMGg]

Simply superb craftsmanship!

 

[WarEagle90]

That's fine craftsmanship, Mark. Thanks for sharing.

 

[KenB259]

Very beautiful pens. When you n make your "bricks" , do cut the slices with the grain or across the grain.?


Sent from my iPhone using Penturners.org mobile app

 

[mark james]

Very beautiful pens. When you n make your "bricks" , do cut the slices with the grain or across the grain.?
Sent from my iPhone using Penturners.org mobile app

I want the SIDE grain on the sides facing out. So, for the Chevron Inlays, all the wood facing OUT will be side grain. When I cut the layers for the Brick, I want the end grain at the ends, and the side grain on the sides. This sounds complicated, but when you get a few layers, it is easy to see where you want the grain to go. I have screwed up some bricks, alternating side grain and end grain. Ultimately I (as an OCD segmenter) I did not like the visual... Side grain on the outsides!

 

[mark james]

Mark, you are so far beyond my capabilities it is unfathomable! I can only dream of doing a pen like you show! Tip o' the hat my friend!

Don, just dive in and play around. You are just a few months behind me. Truly, the hardest part is simply starting and playing around with what we know, what we need to learn, and what we can do and need to tweak for the next design. I have no more skills than you - I may just be a few projects ahead.

 

[DrD]

Thanks for the kind words; the truth is I most probably do not have the patience for such meticulous work.

 

[EBorraga]

Fabulous Mark!!! It appears that the segments are .0001 out of alignment LOL. You and your OCD segmenting! I really need to drive up for a long weekend and see you and Nancy!

 

[DrD]

Don, just dive in and play around. You are just a few months behind me. Truly, the hardest part is simply starting and playing around with what we know, what we need to learn, and what we can do and need to tweak for the next design. I have no more skills than you - I may just be a few projects ahead.

I am reminded of a quote from the renowned San Francisco police officer, Inspector Harry Callahan: "... a wise man knows his limitations." Now I have yet to find my limitations with a handgun - or any other type of gun for that matter, but with making and assembling tinie-tiny parts - Forgetaboutit!

 

[mark james]

Fabulous Mark!!! It appears that the segments are .0001 out of alignment LOL. You and your OCD segmenting! I really need to drive up for a long weekend and see you and Nancy!

OK buddy, we'll leave the lights on.