I'm back, and I've made pens!

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aldjmc

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2017
Messages
101
Location
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I am going to try to make this short. After years of lurking, I got a lathe and tools just over a year ago. I made a few pen kits as starter projects, but most were duds with one problem or another, so I've stayed away from pens for the better part of a year. (It looks so easy in the videos). Anyway, I've put a lot of wood shavings on the floor over the last 10 months or so making nothing. I recently decided to complete the few pen kits I had on hand, and am fairly pleased with the results. There is nothing special here but 2 Slimlines and 2 European Round Tops. It was my first shot at working with acrylic, and my first success at cutting tenons for a centre band. Now I just need recommendations on other kits to try!
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Manny

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
849
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, Ca.
Nothing comes easy. Great start. The thing that makes these special is that you made them. Great job! Are you turning between centers? If I were you I would start learning the different finishes and find one you like. CA is my favorite. I've always found slim lines "although inexpensive " to not be the best kit to start on. They go down pretty close to the brass on the ends and always caused me issues. Never liked how my tenon pens came out.

cheers Manny
 

qquake

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
5,007
Location
Northern California
I like larger, single body pens like the Gatsby and Executive. They look great, are easier to turn, and more forgiving. Once you have some experience with those, I would move up to Cigar (Cuban, Big Ben) pens. They're beefy and impressive, but still relatively easy to turn.
 

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EricRN

Member
Joined
May 16, 2019
Messages
760
I am going to try to make this short. After years of lurking, I got a lathe and tools just over a year ago. I made a few pen kits as starter projects, but most were duds with one problem or another, so I've stayed away from pens for the better part of a year. (It looks so easy in the videos). Anyway, I've put a lot of wood shavings on the floor over the last 10 months or so making nothing. I recently decided to complete the few pen kits I had on hand, and am fairly pleased with the results. There is nothing special here but 2 Slimlines and 2 European Round Tops. It was my first shot at working with acrylic, and my first success at cutting tenons for a centre band. Now I just need recommendations on other kits to try!
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Those look real nice. Especially the euros.
 

aldjmc

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2017
Messages
101
Location
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Nothing comes easy. Great start. The thing that makes these special is that you made them. Great job! Are you turning between centers? If I were you I would start learning the different finishes and find one you like. CA is my favorite. I've always found slim lines "although inexpensive " to not be the best kit to start on. They go down pretty close to the brass on the ends and always caused me issues. Never liked how my tenon pens came out.

cheers Manny
Thanks. Not turned between centers but that is a technique I will try eventually. My mandrel seems to be ok so far. As for finishing, I tried a CA finish on another pen (one that is in the collection of "what not to do" pens due to a poor center band), the finish looks great, but I need better ventilation if I am going to go down that route. My eyes were burning for hours afterward. And ya, I'm not a fan of slimlines because they are either super dainty, or dumb looking IMHO.
 

aldjmc

Member
Joined
Apr 3, 2017
Messages
101
Location
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
I like larger, single body pens like the Gatsby and Executive. They look great, are easier to turn, and more forgiving. Once you have some experience with those, I would move up to Cigar (Cuban, Big Ben) pens. They're beefy and impressive, but still relatively easy to turn.
Wow. Those are beautiful pens! I have a Cigar Kit out in my shop, but need a bigger blank. Thanks for recommendation on kits to try.
 

qquake

Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
5,007
Location
Northern California
A 3/4" x 5" blank should be big enough for the Cigar. Although, you can use two shorter blanks. I've made them with one black blank. I kind of like the contrast.
 

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