Black Tortoiseshell Fountain Pen

[Valleyboy]

This is my signature pen model, based on my dog Rocky. He's a black and silver schnauzer and wears a red collar. He's a big part of life around here.

I once read that:

"Everyone thinks they have the best dog. And none of them is wrong".

How true!

Anyway here's the pen. Pretty straightforward. 13mm diameter barrel with triple lead cap threads. Cellulose acetate with acrylic red accent and 100% recycled sterling for the coin. Fitted with a black Bock no6 nib fed by cartridge converter.

(I just realised I may have posted a pen like this before, but I had already come so far uploading the pics so please forgive any duplication).

Cheers
Ash

 

[Jim15]

That's a beauty.

 

[floatslow]

I really like your implementation of accent color. Many of the other postings I have seen of yours have body and cap finials in corresponding colors. So this is nice to see from you, being all cellulose acetate including the section. I started on a pen with the same material, this is inspirational and possibly a reason for me to quite while I'm ahead and let my project rest in the some day pile. Great work as usual, thanks for showing.

 

[InkyMike]

Another gorgeous one Ash. Curious - any particular type of acrylic sheet you like for accents?

 

[Curly]

Ash if people can post dozens of Slimlines, Sierras, Bolt Actions, etc, pens they have made then you can delight us with more than one of yours.

 

[PenCasso]

Ash,

All I can say is WOW! Nice work!

 

[Valleyboy]

I really like your implementation of accent color. Many of the other postings I have seen of yours have body and cap finials in corresponding colors. So this is nice to see from you, being all cellulose acetate including the section. I started on a pen with the same material, this is inspirational and possibly a reason for me to quite while I'm ahead and let my project rest in the some day pile. Great work as usual, thanks for showing.

Thank you.
Yes I do tend to go through different phases of making pens in all the same colour vs using complimentary colours. I've done hundreds with silver accent rings and now I'm going more towards coloured accents for a while too. It's nice to change things up now and then.

 

[Valleyboy]

Ash if people can post dozens of Slimlines, Sierras, Bolt Actions, etc, pens they have made then you can delight us with more than one of yours.

Cheers Pete!

 

[hallelujahal]

beautiful pen that Ash! I really like that nibcan I ask what lathe you use as I'm contemplating getting a metal lathe?

 

[Kcimdrib]

That's a good looking pen great work.

 

[Valleyboy]

Another gorgeous one Ash. Curious - any particular type of acrylic sheet you like for accents?

Thanks Michael

I use acrylic rods (pen blanks) to cut the rings on the lathe.

Cheers
Ash

 

[InkyMike]

Thanks Michael

I use acrylic rods (pen blanks) to cut the rings on the lathe.

Cheers
Ash

Thanks Ash - are the rings permanently attached to the section? I'm wondering if epoxying sheet acrylic to the end of the blank before drilling and turning would work as well? (Thinking of a design I'm working on)

 

[duncsuss]

Thanks Ash - are the rings permanently attached to the section? I'm wondering if epoxying sheet acrylic to the end of the blank before drilling and turning would work as well? (Thinking of a design I'm working on)

There's a high risk of the ring being torn off as you work on it - there's only a tiny surface area for the glue to hold and the shear/twist forces when you're drilling through material can exceed the holding strength.

 

[Valleyboy]

Thanks Ash - are the rings permanently attached to the section? I'm wondering if epoxying sheet acrylic to the end of the blank before drilling and turning would work as well? (Thinking of a design I'm working on)

Yes the ring is glued to the section, around the threaded tenon.
And yes you can glue sheet to the end before turning but if you're asking about this specific case on my pen it wouldn't work because there's a threaded tenon sticking through it. However you can add thin veneers to blanks for decorative purposes - just ensure the surface area has a good solid contact.

 

[Valleyboy]

beautiful pen that Ash! I really like that nibcan I ask what lathe you use as I'm contemplating getting a metal lathe?

I have a Sieg Sc4.

 

[hallelujahal]

I have a Sieg Sc4.

Thanks would the Axminster below be the equivalent?

Axminster Engineer Series SC4 Bench Lathe

This compact lathe of very modern design has many convenient facilities ideal for the enthusiastic model engineer, small component manufacturer or in a teaching environment. A very rigid induction hardened cast iron bed with ground slideways gives a...

www.axminstertools.com

 

[Valleyboy]

Thanks would the Axminster below be the equivalent?

Axminster Engineer Series SC4 Bench Lathe

This compact lathe of very modern design has many convenient facilities ideal for the enthusiastic model engineer, small component manufacturer or in a teaching environment. A very rigid induction hardened cast iron bed with ground slideways gives a...

www.axminstertools.com

Yes, its the same machine under the hood. Different UK brands will have specific design modifications applied before branding as their own and selling on.
If you look at Arc Euro Trade they offer the SC4 at around £1500 whereas the Axminster version is £2500. I haven't compared them but £1000 difference is a lot so you should compare specs to see if the difference is worth it. I like both companies a lot but Arc specialise in machining.

 

[hallelujahal]

Yes, its the same machine under the hood. Different UK brands will have specific design modifications applied before branding as their own and selling on.
If you look at Arc Euro Trade they offer the SC4 at around £1500 whereas the Axminster version is £2500. I haven't compared them but £1000 difference is a lot so you should compare specs to see if the difference is worth it. I like both companies a lot but Arc specialise in machining.

Thanks Ash! Yes I've taken a look and a grand difference is pretty substantial thanks for the heads up