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mmayo

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This kit with higher end exotic woods sell well for us. Customers really like figure, spalting and chatoyance once explained. The wood blanks are from WoodTurningz - their premium stuff. L to R spalted jatoba, sycamore burl, curly koa and Bethlehem olive wood.

I read lots of people on this forum in search of fast, easy CA - like finishes for their pens. This is real CA finish, 14 coats of it! It took 1-1/2 hours: turning, sanding, cleaning, CA application, end sanding, end sealing, sanding and buffing. The CA application took about 1-2 minutes per pen - to me that's quick.

Your mileage may vary…
 

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studioseven

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May 6, 2014
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Wisconsin
Mark,
This is one of my favorite kits. While the brass finish is my personal least favorite, it sells well. The hunters and soldiers seem to prefer that brass. I see PSI has a new type of this kit.... camouflage. One of these days I'll have to order some of those. Anyway, nice looking pens. Thanks for sharing.

Seven
 

keithbyrd

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Sep 2, 2011
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Mount Wolf, PA
Mark - Nice job! One question - How do you get 14 coats of ca on in 1-2 minutes? I do 14-16 coats and it takes me about 15-20 minutes - 8 thin and 8 med coats.
 

mmayo

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Mark - Nice job! One question - How do you get 14 coats of ca on in 1-2 minutes? I do 14-16 coats and it takes me about 15-20 minutes - 8 thin and 8 med coats.
It takes a few seconds per thin 5 cps application. I do four of those and then spray after the last one. I then start on "Pen Finish" or 50 cps CA. I apply a coat and immediately spray lightly. I repeat three more times. I reverse the lathe and apply four more coats with spray after each. I reverse the lathe and apply two coats with spray after each. My spray is Stickfast can of accelerator. My CA is EasyBond exclusively.

I am not rushing to be fast. This is how I do it to make it perfect. I guess I'll set up a camera and show folks some time.
 

RKB

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Mar 17, 2014
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Apollo, PA
The finish and character of those barrels is excellent. Thank you for sharing your work and processes here on IAP. The finish on your pens is second to none.
 

KMCloonan

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Jun 13, 2017
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Round Lake, Illinois
I agree with Rod - your CA finish is always outstanding! The combination of high quality Kits, high end blanks, and excellent craftsmanship is why you are able to sell so many. Nice!
 

jrista

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Aug 12, 2021
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Colorado
They look wonderful! Beautiful pens!

Curious, what kind of CA did you use? GluBoost?
 

keithbyrd

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It takes a few seconds per thin 5 cps application. I do four of those and then spray after the last one. I then start on "Pen Finish" or 50 cps CA. I apply a coat and immediately spray lightly. I repeat three more times. I reverse the lathe and apply four more coats with spray after each. I reverse the lathe and apply two coats with spray after each. My spray is Stickfast can of accelerator. My CA is EasyBond exclusively.

I am not rushing to be fast. This is how I do it to make it perfect. I guess I'll set up a camera and show folks some time.
Thanks Mark - appreciate the extra info. I spray briefly 2-3 times through the process. I find if I spray more than that the finish tends to get rough requiring more sanding!
 

mmayo

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Thanks Mark - appreciate the extra info. I spray briefly 2-3 times through the process. I find if I spray more than that the finish tends to get rough requiring more sanding!
I used to get that too. I exclusively use EZ Bond and Stickfast canned accelerator. It works for me and I get wholesale prices with an order over $150.
 
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