Claro Walnut Cigar Finished

[egnald]

Greetings all:

I finally finished the pen I mentioned in my earlier thread about having spare tubes on hand. It is a Brass Cigar kit from Exotic Blanks and a Claro Walnut blank that was cut from a block I got at WoodCraft. I think the combination gives it a very rustic look.

I overturned the first set of blanks, but this set on the spare tubes turned OK. In addition I really struggled with getting the finish on this one. I had to repair and re-finish the blanks before I was done. The CA "lifted" on the ends of the blanks leaving that dreaded grey-ish appearance near the ends after wet sanding with MicroMesh even though I used a blotter of thin CA to seal the ends up before MicroMesh. I haven't had this kind of thing happen for several years, ever since I started making sure the ends were sealed up before wet sanding. Anyhow, here are a few pictures of the completed pen.

Regards,
Dave

PS I always use Ed's Improved Fit Bushing Set (11A) when I turn Cigar Pens. They make a much nicer fit between the center band and the lower blank than the standard Berea Cigar bushings.

 

[montmill]

Beautiful pen Dave. How many coats of CA did you apply? I find with Walnut I have to put more on than others to close the pores so they don't get dust in them.

 

[egnald]

Beautiful pen Dave. How many coats of CA did you apply? I find with Walnut I have to put more on than others to close the pores so they don't get dust in them.

My standard regimen is 4 thin coats of Thin CA (but sometimes I use 6 if the wood seems to really soak it up on the first couple). I have a 90 second timer that I use to let each coat dry before applying the next. Then I use 8 to 10 coats of Medium using a light burst of an aerosol Activator between coats. I let the final coat dry several minutes before moving on.

My coats of CA tend to be very thin - more CA goes into the trash on my paper towel applicator than goes onto the pen in each pass.

I will also have to try additional coats next time, paying special attention to getting the ends sealed up good.

Dave

 

[Smokey S]

Oh so very nice Dave! Just saying…….Smokey

 

[KMCloonan]

Nice Pen Dave. I really like the antique brass combined with the walnut. Like you said, it makes for an aged or rustic look.

 

[Hippie3180]

Stunning pen Dave, brass was a really nice choice.

 

[mark james]

Well worth the effort. Very nice, thanks for sharing.

 

[mark james]

My standard regimen is 4 thin coats of Thin CA (but sometimes I use 6 if the wood seems to really soak it up on the first couple). I have a 90 second timer that I use to let each coat dry before applying the next. Then I use 8 to 10 coats of Medium using a light burst of an aerosol Activator between coats. I let the final coat dry several minutes before moving on.

My coats of CA tend to be very thin - more CA goes into the trash on my paper towel applicator than goes onto the pen in each pass.

I will also have to try additional coats next time, paying special attention to getting the ends sealed up good.

Dave

your process makes sense. thanks for sharing.

 

[derekdd]

Lovely piece of wood made for a beautiful pen, Dave.

 

[Mike]

Beautiful pen, fine craftsmanship.

Mike

 

[SteveJ]

I love the look of walnut - when I was in high school I got a walnut Cross pen which started my love affair with wood pens. Yours looks great!

 

[Humongous]

Beautiful pen Dave!

 

[montmill]

Dave, I wonder if wet sanding walnut with the final grit may not close the pores? I'd let it dry overnight before adding finish. I may have to try that.

 

[bugradx2]

really great work!

I agree that the cigar bushings from Exotic Blanks make for a much nicer fit on cigar pens too. That's what I use on mine.

 

[keithlong]

Nice pen, love black walnut

 

[GaryMGg]

Great piece of timber and the fit and finish on this pen is excellent.

 

[mark james]

I love the look of walnut - when I was in high school I got a walnut Cross pen which started my love affair with wood pens. Yours looks great!

That's what hooked me also! I'd estimate 1985-6. I lost the pen, but I really loved it. When I found out I could make another... the journey started.