Getting there

[hallelujahal]

Hi folks newbie here after having been gifted a pen making starter set and mandrel for Christmas. Below are my efforts slowly getting there I reckon. They're all the pens I've made since Christmas and I've given them all away…that's the best bit ain't it!

 

[jttheclockman]

Oh sorry about that but your hooked. It has been sought out but there is no cure. Many of high qualified people have researched this but it is too late. I mean not even a month in and you are doing knots and turning pens like you have been doing it for many years. welcome to the craziness. Nice work.

 

[hallelujahal]

Oh sorry about that but your hooked. It has been sought out but there is no cure. Many of high qualified people have researched this but it is too late. I mean not even a month in and you are doing knots and turning pens like you have been doing it for many years. welcome to the craziness. Nice work.

Yup well and truly hooked… this is penturners anonymous right?
As for the attempt at the Celtic knot… well it's not very good, but I watched a video on YouTube and thought I'd give it a try. I need to make a jig in order to ensure all the angles are the same next time

 

[BULLWINKLE]

Oh sorry about that but your hooked. It has been sought out but there is no cure. Many of high qualified people have researched this but it is too late. I mean not even a month in and you are doing knots and turning pens like you have been doing it for many years. welcome to the craziness. Nice work.

I agree with the clockman 100%. Once you get into lathe work you do less and less flat work. I can't remember when I've done any other type of woodwork. Welcome to the addiction. PS nice job

 

[Alan Morrison]

Welcome to the forum, Alex.

Alan

 

[Larryreitz]

Looks like you got it down quite well in record time. I agree that giving them for gifts is very rewarding.

Larry

 

[sorcerertd]

Welcome from NC. You are well on your way and it's way too easy to get hooked. My condolences to your budget

 

[BULLWINKLE]

Yup well and truly hooked… this is penturners anonymous right?
As for the attempt at the Celtic knot… well it's not very good, but I watched a video on YouTube and thought I'd give it a try. I need to make a jig in order to ensure all the angles are the same next time

Making the angles the same is the easy part. Clamping them until the glue cures is way harder. I'm trying to come up with a homemade jig to hold it all in place. If anyone has a suggestion, I'd welcome it.

 

[jttheclockman]

Making the angles the same is the easy part. Clamping them until the glue cures is way harder. I'm trying to come up with a homemade jig to hold it all in place. If anyone has a suggestion, I'd welcome it.

Oh we can get well into knot making. But the trick that many have learned and probably the hard way like me, is to not cut all the way through your blank. Start with an oversized blank. I like to use 1" square blanks when doing those. I leave about 1/16" over. This keeps all cuts in alignment. Absolutely critical is also match the insert material to the thickness of the kerf of your blade and then your clamps are not as important but just to snug. When each side is done it should be flat and straight. Pretty soon you will be doing this.

 

[Woodchipper]

Alex, those are very nice pens. As my British friends would say, "Cracking good pen!" Welcome to the world of penturning!

 

[BULLWINKLE]

Oh we can get well into knot making. But the trick that many have learned and probably the hard way like me, is to not cut all the way through your blank. Start with an oversized blank. I like to use 1" square blanks when doing those. I leave about 1/16" over. This keeps all cuts in alignment. Absolutely critical is also match the insert material to the thickness of the kerf of your blade and then your clamps are not as important but just to snug. When each side is done it should be flat and straight. Pretty soon you will be doing this.

View attachment 347769

Thanks !!!! It's nearly impossible to clamp if you cut all the way through. I never thought to do it the way you suggested but it's brilliant !

 

[TDahl]

Welcome to the addiction. You look like you are off to a great start (especially with the Celtic Knot). I can't wait to see what else you post.

 

[hallelujahal]

Welcome to the addiction. You look like you are off to a great start (especially with the Celtic Knot). I can't wait to see what else you post.

Thank you