RunnerVince
Member
In several threads recently, I've come across reasons to wonder if there are ways I can speed up my work. In one discussion, people were talking about pricing pens, and the prices didn't make sense to me based on how long it takes me to complete a pen. In another discussion, I was commenting and sort of had to say "but don't listen to me if you're trying to get into production mode."
So I'm wondering how long it takes most of you to turn a pen. I know many of you will do batch work, which I do when I can. But for the purposes of this discussion, let's just assume:
For me, I hover in the neighborhood of 90-120 minutes, with this process:
So I'm wondering how long it takes most of you to turn a pen. I know many of you will do batch work, which I do when I can. But for the purposes of this discussion, let's just assume:
- You're only doing one pen
- You're using a kit that uses a double-barrel design (slimline, cigar, jr. gentleman, etc.)
- You're starting with a complete, undrilled blank of a material that's not got any crazy quirks
- You're only including active working time (e.g., if you let the finish cure for 24 hours before sanding and polishing, don't include the 24 hours)
For me, I hover in the neighborhood of 90-120 minutes, with this process:
- Divide and cut the blank to size (I cut two separate pieces)
- Drill the center hole in the two pieces
- Scuff tubes and glue in with CA, then hit with activator
- Put blanks on mandrel with bushings and turn to approximate size
- Put first half of pen between centers and turn to final dimensions
- Sand as needed to prepare for finishing
- Remove blank and use CA to seal ends
- Apply CA finish (8 coats thin CA), with accelerator after coats 3, 6 and 8
- Wet sand lightly with 600 or 800 grit sandpaper, then move to micromesh (all 9 pads)
- Polish (I use Dr. Kirk's Scratch Free followed by Dr. Kirk's Micro Magic 1-3)
- Repeat steps 5-10 with other half of pen
- Assemble pen