Cheated a little bit...

[RobR]

but I'd already blown 3 tries at this, so I finished it with sanding, not turning. Didn't quite nail the nib end diameter, but I was still pretty pleased.

I've always loved cross grain oak.

 

[Fine Engineer]

Interesting change up here. I could see where this could be a bit dicey toward the end. This turned out very nice though.

 

[EricRN]

Everyone on this forum has busted out the 60 grit gouge at one point. If they haven't, they are lying to you. Or they are a wood turning demigod.

 

[jrista]

Everyone on this forum has busted out the 60 grit gouge at one point. If they haven't, they are lying to you. Or they are a wood turning demigod.

I bust out the 120 grid gouge on larger items (bowls, etc.) occasionally.

I don't think I start lower than 180 on pens though (these days, I've learned never to go below 400!!). Man, I cannot imagine what 60 grit would do to a pen blank ...

but I'd already blown 3 tries at this, so I finished it with sanding, not turning. Didn't quite nail the nib end diameter, but I was still pretty pleased.

I've always loved cross grain oak.

I'm curious...have you tried sheer scraping to avoid blowout? This is a technique I learned myself since I joined these forums. Several turned advocate it. It took me a bit to get the hang of it, but with a rounded square carbide (although, honestly, any carbide tip tool should do), tilt it to an angle (45 or more) and sheer scrape the blank. Its one of the softest and least aggressive cuts you can get, and might help with blowout on endgrain blanks like this.

 

[RobR]

@jrista - I have a square carbide coming today so hopefully that will help.

Thanks all for your comments.

 

[tomtedesco]

FWIW, I turn from the end of the blank toward the middle. I found I had more tear outs going from the middle of the blank off the end.

 

[Woodchipper]

Everyone on this forum has busted out the 60 grit gouge at one point. If they haven't, they are lying to you. Or they are a wood turning demigod.

Is this time for confession?
Nice pen. Never seen an oak blank like that. Have some oak and will try it.

 

[RobR]

Here's one of the less successful attempts. Bit of a shame, it had a really nice look to it.

 

[RunnerVince]

Here's one of the less successful attempts. Bit of a shame, it had a really nice look to it.

With a blowup like that, there's a good chance you can find the pieces and glue things back together, and you'd be the only one to know. Even if the break lines show, they often add to the piece. Certainly, some people like the look it creates.
It all depends on whether the time/effort you spend will be worth it in the end, but I look at it like even a less than pristine pen can do some good. I often donate pens to my church's youth group when they do their fundraiser auction every few years. I've also given a few "mistakes" away with the disclaimer "here's one I couldn't sell because..." as a "primer" for future business, and that's brought me some business.