Just another Footprints in the sand pen from PSI.

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DRDJR

Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2025
Messages
28
Location
Cantonment Fl.
This is another Footprints in the sand pen from PSI. the wood is Olivewood from the Holy Land.
I used several coats of Polycrilic and wet sanded to 12000 grit on the final coat and buffed with 2 coats of Renaissance Wax. I think next I will try using CA glue.
Footprints.jpg
 
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Nice pen, well done. Constructive criticism only. The blank at the cap and tip seem a bit wide, like you didn't follow the bushing to the end or your caliper was off. Most pen turners try to get the cap and tip as close to the same diameter as the pen kit.
 
wolf creek knives said:
Nice pen, well done. Constructive criticism only. The blank at the cap and tip seem a bit wide, like you didn't follow the bushing to the end or your caliper was off. Most pen turners try to get the cap and tip as close to the same diameter as the pen kit.
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Thanks, I am still trying to get a feel as to how close to turn to the bushings. every time I turn close to the bushings when i sand i end up undersize.
 
Nice pen. I think the turning to bushings, measuring, finish build-up, all improve as time passes and more and more pens get turned. There are some kits that are somewhat more forgiving because the hardware that mates against the blank is radiused a bit so slight under-turning is not nearly as noticable. - Dave
 
DRDJR said:
Thanks, I am still trying to get a feel as to how close to turn to the bushings. every time I turn close to the bushings when i sand i end up undersize.
Click to expand...
I once heard a very wise turner give some advice about turning close to bushings. When you're "close" on diameter, start your approach from the bushing side and go over towards the material you're turning. It makes it very difficult to go under the diameter. It is possible you'll touch the bushing with your tools, you'll want to check them with a caliper occasionally to make sure they're still the correct diameter. If they aren't, they're cheap to replace. This approach may help you.

There are a lot of turners on here who will also say that bushings are a guide and you should pull the bushings once you get close and use a caliper for the last approach to final diameter.

Neither side of that discussion is wrong, just different approaches.

As far as CA glue vs poly, there a lot of approaches out there. You'll find a host of folks who will state their preferred brand and technique. I'd recommend searching the discussion history and read a few discussions. I'm trying to stay "CA agnostic" in that recommendation....

For the sake of honesty, I'll say that I'm in the GluBoost camp but honestly that's really because the guys who've shown me how to turn use it and I've just stayed with it because I've been happy with the results. I've tried a couple friction finishes and just not been in love, I think CA is a better approach for me. I have not tried any of the other brands of CA that people use for finish.

Kent

PS - I came back to add to my comment. Your pen stand in the photos is really cool
 
bugradx2 said:
I once heard a very wise turner give some advice about turning close to bushings. When you're "close" on diameter, start your approach from the bushing side and go over towards the material you're turning. It makes it very difficult to go under the diameter. It is possible you'll touch the bushing with your tools, you'll want to check them with a caliper occasionally to make sure they're still the correct diameter. If they aren't, they're cheap to replace. This approach may help you.

There are a lot of turners on here who will also say that bushings are a guide and you should pull the bushings once you get close and use a caliper for the last approach to final diameter.

Neither side of that discussion is wrong, just different approaches.

As far as CA glue vs poly, there a lot of approaches out there. You'll find a host of folks who will state their preferred brand and technique. I'd recommend searching the discussion history and read a few discussions. I'm trying to stay "CA agnostic" in that recommendation....

For the sake of honesty, I'll say that I'm in the GluBoost camp but honestly that's really because the guys who've shown me how to turn use it and I've just stayed with it because I've been happy with the results. I've tried a couple friction finishes and just not been in love, I think CA is a better approach for me. I have not tried any of the other brands of CA that people use for finish.

Kent

PS - I came back to add to my comment. Your pen stand in the photos is really cool
Click to expand...
Thank you. its not that I go undersize while turning I Oversand with a course grit before going to a fine grit. i think I need to start with 400 or 600 instead of 220. I designed that pen stand so i could start getting better pictures. it is plain birch ply. so it does not distract from the pen.
 
DRDJR said:
Thank you. its not that I go undersize while turning I Oversand with a course grit before going to a fine grit. i think I need to start with 400 or 600 instead of 220. I designed that pen stand so i could start getting better pictures. it is plain birch ply. so it does not distract from the pen.
Click to expand...
Oh shoot - somehow I was not paying attention to what you wrote, my apologies.
 
Good advice on this thread. Good ideas to help you along. I sand to the bushing. In other words, I'm proud of the bushing, stop, and then sand down to the diameter of the bushing. Some might say that's not the way to do it but it works for me. I figure if I can't get a finger nail "click" off the blank then I'm doing alright. And your stand is way cool!
 
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