Handle for my Woodchuck Pen Pro

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JohnGreco

JohnGreco

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I've never made a tool handle before, but when I ordered my new woodchuck pen pro I decided it was time to give it a go. I had been set on using Cherry until I came across this beautiful piece of Padauk in my scrap pile. I love the sapwood running the length of the handle!

I wasn't sure if I would like actually making the handle, but it turns out it was rather fun :) I see more custom tool handles in the future....

As for the tool itself, WOW! An absolute dream.
 

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John,

We must be on the same wavelength -- I am finishing my handle today, and my Pen Pro arrived today, so I'll glue it in tomorrow.

I had a bunch of 1"X1"X12" maple, so I used it, but experimented with India ink to dye it dark green. I used a Watco Oil finish, so it is not dry enough to touch, and take a picture. Will do so tomorrow.

Since you enjoy making handles, these reversible screwdrivers are fun. I made them from plastic-handled reversible screwdrivers you can get at Home Depot or Harbor Freight. I just Dremel off the plastic handle.
 

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Thanks folks :) Lee, I just might give that a try! GL on yours, looking forward to the pictures :)

James- Yes, 3/4" copper pipe coupler that I cut down to size for the ferrule.
 
John,

Here is a picture of my Pen Pro handle - maple dyed with green India ink. I'm not sure I'd do this for a pen or wine stopper, but it makes for an interesting tool handle. I bought the India ink for about $2.50 using a 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby, so experimenting with color is certainly cheap using ink.

BTW, if anyone is unaware, just Google "hobby lobby coupon", and it takes you to the coupon of the week for Hobby Lobby. Almost without fail, every other week is a 40% off almost any item in the store. There are always a few exclusions. like gift cards, but most of what I'd go to HL to buy is covered.

I usually use copper pipe coupler for ferrule, but this time I used a plumbing hex nut. First time I turned brass on my wood lathe, and it was easier than a couple of acrylics I've tried, like Inlace.
 

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JohnGreco said:
I've never made a tool handle before, but when I ordered my new woodchuck pen pro I decided it was time to give it a go. I had been set on using Cherry until I came across this beautiful piece of Padauk in my scrap pile. I love the sapwood running the length of the handle!

I wasn't sure if I would like actually making the handle, but it turns out it was rather fun :) I see more custom tool handles in the future....

As for the tool itself, WOW! An absolute dream.
Click to expand...

Wow that is a killer handle for the tool, You and CharlesH need to share some wood. He did the handle for his woodchuck Pen Pro out of Snake wood. I couldn't believe it, and now you come up with a piece of Padauk with sap wood, SWEET.
 
Nice handle. I am working on my own carbide tool, what size wood did you start out with for the handle? Was it 1x1xwhatever or larger?
 
John nice looking handle will it make the pen look any better:biggrin:
Does the woodchuck come with a round end or is it square all the way? If it is how do you put it into the handle,even if it is round due you know how to put a square stock into a handle?
 
That handle sure makes my old chunk of Oak look just plain, plain. Ken, you should grab post picture and post it on your site.
Charles
 
tommyd said:
John nice looking handle will it make the pen look any better:biggrin:
Does the woodchuck come with a round end or is it square all the way? If it is how do you put it into the handle,even if it is round due you know how to put a square stock into a handle?
Click to expand...

It does- Have you ever tried to make a pen holding your tools by their tang? Not good! :)

The woodchuck tang is round with some grooves machined in for better grip with the adhesive (I used gorilla glue). If you use an expanding polyurethane type of glue like that you might be able to just seat the square tang in there. But with this being the first one I've done I am not able to speak from experience.
 
I made my own carbide tool with square stock, I just drilled a square hole. Theres a tool that let you do this, it uses a drill bit with a square chisle around it.
 
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