First 3 pens

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Carole in VA

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Joined
Dec 11, 2004
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64
Location
VA.
I just got my lathe last week and just turned my first 3 pens. From right to left: walnut, cherry and white oak. The oak was sort of a saved disaster. I used grey wet/dry sandpaper on it and the pores turned black (lesson learned.) I shaved it down some more and figured well, if I had a lemon I might as well make lemonade, so I put walnut grain filler on it.[:o)] This pen thing sure is fun!


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Wow, Carole !!!! Great job! What are you using for a finish?

I have filled the grain on purpose many times, especially in oak pens. Makes the wood more interesting, especially if it is light in color.

These are the Elegant American pens I think. I just got a shipment from Bill B. Parker refills.

Keep up the good work, Carole!
 
Originally posted by Fred in NC
<br /> What are you using for a finish?
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Hi Fred!
I tried several finishes from what I had on hand. The walnut is Velvit Oil, the cherry is French Polish and the oak is poly. I am going to order some high friction polish today. The pen kits were Hart Double Twist from Woodcraft.
 
You've been busy since you posted on WC.
Great job!
HAve you discovered Micromesh yet?
 
Carole,

Nice job! My first 3 weren't nearly as nice. Skill in woodturning, just like any other type of wood working, is more about making your mistakes into lessons learned and then into assets. I think that the oak pen looks great!
 
Originally posted by Eaglesc
<br />HAve you discovered Micromesh yet?
Click to expand...

Have read about it but don't have any. I got the feeling that was more for stabilized woods? Does that stuff last longer than sandpaper?
 
THe numbers say it outlasts sandpaper 8-1 but that is extremely understated.
It can be washed and reused.
I still have some I bought in June and still using it.(Go light the latex can melt.)A
set of 3x6" sheets( I cut them into 2x3" rectangles) goes for about 10-12 bucks.
I just order3d some from the violin supply house that cost $45.00 for 6x12" sheets,shipping included.
Do a search,theres a lot of information on it.
Grits start at 400 and go up tojsut under a brown paper bag.
It was developed to take scratches out of airplane windshields.
 
Fantastic pens. and I also like the save best.
As for Micro Mesh. i still have my first set from two years ago. with two new sets waiting for it to wear out. actually they could have been replaced a while back but I am a miser. and they still work. and I have made several hundred pens with them in every type of material.
 
I feel your pain. I learned real fast about grey sandpaper especially on light woods. Great save!!! Home Depot has the aluminum oxide (yellow paper) up to 400 grit. I use this on most pens. I agree also that you might want to look into Micro Mesh, especially if you eventually decide (which you will) to try out some resin blanks. Kirk[8D]
 
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