7 idle years

[Big]

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.

 

[Woodchipper]

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

 

[Mortalis]

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.

 

[Big]

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

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

 

[Big]

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.

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

 

[Big]

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

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

 

[Woodchipper]

They make motorcycle pen kits, too.

 

[Lmstretch]

Welcome back to the addiction, and enjoy the ride!

 

[Big]

They make motorcycle pen kits, too.

I saw those but haven't made one yet. I ride with a Motorcycle Ministry but we ride with some of the Motorcycle Clubs too so I might find an interest for them in those circles.

 

[Big]

Welcome back to the addiction, and enjoy the ride!

Yep, now I am dreaming about blanks and kits and other projects. My wife has gotten interested in not only helping pick out kits, blanks, and everything but is interested in learning to turn them. She watched as I did one from beginning to finish the other day and gained a new appreciation for the work that goes into them if nothing else. She has not mentioned learning to turn any more but I did have her watching some beginning wood turning videos on YouTube.