First Wooden Finial in NH

[mikespenturningz]

Well I finally decided to give one of these a try.

It isn't perfect but what is... I think the wood is Macacauba but I am not sure? Any suggestions on the wood would be helpful.

 

[BSea]

Personally, I love these custom finials. I think they add so much more character to the pen. I'm no help at all on the wood.

 

[keithbyrd]

I like the custom finials too - they put the finishing touches on the pen!
Not sure about the wood - makes me think Cocobolo?

 

[Katya]

I like the finials too... as soon as I get some pin chucks I'll give it a go. But I also saw a button used on one pic here, so have bought some buttons on EBay that I'll try too. How difficult was it to punch out the original finial? How do you avoid damaging the rest of the metal?

 

[Hendu3270]

Just started doing the custom finials as well and think it really adds to the pen. Your's looks great. Can't help with the wood, sorry.

 

[BSea]

I like the finials too... as soon as I get some pin chucks I'll give it a go. But I also saw a button used on one pic here, so have bought some buttons on EBay that I'll try too. How difficult was it to punch out the original finial? How do you avoid damaging the rest of the metal?

I use a punch from a set I bought from harbor freight. I just use the largest punch that will fit easily, and then hit it with a hammer while holding the piece in my hand. Some come out easier than other, but I've never damaged 1 yet using this method, and I bet I've done 20 or more. And I've never hit my hand either:biggrin:.

 

[longbeard]

Great looking Retro Mike, nice job on the finial. Retro's are my fav

 

[longbeard]

I like the finials too... as soon as I get some pin chucks I'll give it a go. But I also saw a button used on one pic here, so have bought some buttons on EBay that I'll try too. How difficult was it to punch out the original finial? How do you avoid damaging the rest of the metal?

I do the same as Bob said above, but i will assemble the cap, then punch the finial out.

 

[mikespenturningz]

I do the same thing that Bob does. I drilled a hole in a piece of wood. Then I just chose a HF punch and gave it a nice easy tap. They don't come out that hard. I may have tapped it a few times but that was it.

Thanks Harry, I also like the Retro and it was a great way to do the wooden finial. I also like the Jr. Gent 2 I like all of the hardware sets that use the 12.5 and 10.5 drill bits. They are just a nice size and many designs around that size.

 

[Mack C.]

I do the same thing that Bob does. I drilled a hole in a piece of wood. Then I just chose a HF punch and gave it a nice easy tap. They don't come out that hard. I may have tapped it a few times but that was it.

Here's an article in the library by John Crane that describes a method of punching out the finial.
http://content.penturners.org/library/techniques/custom_finial.pdf