how to avoid rounding the edge of a tenon

[Displaced Canadian]

The americana pen has become a favorite of mine and I was wondering if there was an easy way to avoid rounding over the edge of the tenon while sanding. Is it a good idea to wait to cut it until you have finished the pen or is there another way?

 

[wolftat]

I usually sand, then cut the tenon in and then touch it quick with the final grit to deal with any micro burrs.

 

[gvanweerd]

I cut the tendon after finnishing it. thats the only way i've been able to keep it square.

 

[bitshird]

I usually sand, then cut the tenon in and then touch it quick with the final grit to deal with any micro burrs.

Me too, also use a flat stick like a tongue, tha depressor under your abrante or sand paper
that also helps.

 

[DozerMite]

When I do tenons, I turn the tenon, just a little short, turn the pen and finish it. Then I come back and do a final shoulder cut to the finished tenon length. Keeps them nice and square.

 

[pssherman]

Like the others, I cut the tenon after finishing the blank to keep the edge square. Also I make an angled undercut as the last touch-up cut. I do this by rotating the parting tool and angle it sideways so that it undercuts the shoulder. This makes it easy to get a perfectly flush fit.

 

[hewunch]

When I turn tenons for the flat tops or for euros I use my skew to make a cut right where the top of the tenon is, then finish it. That way when I sand there is a sholder that will be parted away that keeps the sand paper @ the right height. After I finish it, I sand it most of the way out and part out the tenon before the last few grits of MM.

 

[the_benz]

When I have a pen kit that requires a tennon, I make a bushing out of delrin. Several of the bushings sets now come with the extra bushing for the tennon. I turn down just a bit over the original bushing. Cut the tennon. Remove the bushing to put on the delrin and get back to finishing.
Gregg

 

[SteveG]

I wait to cut the tenon until I am part way through the sanding. AFTER sanding with 320 grit is when tenon is cut. Careful sanding with subsequent finer grits avoids roundover. I found this method to be a quick and easy way to deal with the problem.