First Monarch Grande

[qquake]

This is my first Monarch Grande pen from Turners Warehouse. It's basically a Sierra Vista derivative, and uses the Berea 50A bushings. The finish is gunpolish and antique rose copper. The blank is called Copper Shimmer, and is from Beartooth Woods. The blank is aptly named, and I think looks great with the finish on the pen components. I did have an issue with the bushings, see my next post below.

 

[qquake]

After I turned, polished, and assembled it, I noticed it was underturned on the tip end. That really bugged me, because I try to get bodies as close to the bushings as possible. Just for fun, I measured the bushings, and sure enough. One is 0.51" but the other is 0.54". Well, son of a biscuit! I've only ever used the bushings once before, but didn't remember any problems. I used them on a Sierra Vista with a laser cut kitten blank. I looked at the photos, and sure enough. One end is underturned. I don't remember it being like that, probably because I was so relieved at getting the kitten blank turned. It was fiddly to say the least!

 

[qquake]

So I disassembled the Monarch Grande and mounted it back on the lathe with a pair of Wall Street III bushings I have. They both measured at 0.51". I re-turned and polished it, and it's much better. It's still a teeny tiny bit underturned, but I can live with it.

 

[magpens]

Thanks for showing this pen ... very nice !!

Thanks also for the technical parts ... very worthwhile knowing about ... I also worry about blank-meeting-hardware !

 

[SteveJ]

Great match of the blank to the kit. I usually try to measure the hardware against the bushing and blank before assembling. I've over turned and under turned enough blanks to make me check on a regular basis!

 

[KenB259]

Love the wood on this pen. Excellent job.


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