Just put the lime in the coconut...

[BigRob777]

Here are my latest 3 pens, all from the islands. It's work to get the palm good enough, but it's worth it. It's one of my favorite looking materials.

Cigar Red Palm (bought a long solid plank of beautiful bubinga with it). CA finish.

Sierra Black Palm (my first time). Lacquer finish.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y179/BigRob777/DSCN1530.jpg

Beeswing Eucalyptus (turns nicely). Lacquer finish.

Comments welcome. Thanks for looking. BTW, there's a special in the most valued members forum for the palm blanks. It's nice to be back and able to spend more time at the computer and the lathe.
Rob

 

[johncrane]

Rob!!
Your pens look really good the first one is my pick of the bunch.:highfive::biggrin:

 

[cnirenberg]

Rob,
I'm lovin' the palm pens. Great job. I never have worked with Red/black palm, how are they to turn/finish?

 

[markgum]

excellant work

 

[BigRob777]

Thanks Guys,
Yeah, my favorite is the first one too, which is the reason for the title, as it's coconut palm, aka red palm.

Palm is not the easiest thing to turn, but with a sharp skew, light cuts, CA and lots of sanding, it's worth the effort. It finishes well with CA too. I've always been fascinated with palm. I have some planks, from which I want to make a coffee table, or end table. I just haven't figured out what kind of veneer to use for the top. It's best use is small turnings though, such as pens and stoppers. So far, I've turned one stopper and 3 pens from palm.

Thanks again for your kind words.
Rob

 

[Brandon25]

Look great Rob. I am a huge fan of red palm, and it is a huge enemy of me. lol.
Also really enjoy the beeswing figure on the third one.