JohnGreco
Member
I've been working extensively with solid stone lately as my primary material and wanted to push the limits what could traditionally be turned. Marble rates a 3-4 on the Mohs hardness scale (Soapstone is 1, diamond is 10 for reference). I was able to find a hunk of marble that came from the same quarry as the Lincoln Memorial.
This was one of those times where the pen was sold before it was made (I wish they all were!). I used HSS drill bits and a carbide turning tool. I shattered the first cap near the end, the 2nd one (pictured) took well over 1 hour to drill. I chose solid silver hardware and an 18k gold nib plated with rhodium for a clean look.
The finish is the natural shine of the marble, sanded to 12,000 mm after carefully sealing any microscopic fractures, then buffed repeatedly. Buffing was kind of fun, I could feel the marble heating up nicely and used that as a way to determine when it had been on that wheel long enough.
Disappointed it didn't make it to the Finals but that's the way the cookie crumbles Thank you to those who voted for it, there were some fantastic pens this year (as always!).
This was one of those times where the pen was sold before it was made (I wish they all were!). I used HSS drill bits and a carbide turning tool. I shattered the first cap near the end, the 2nd one (pictured) took well over 1 hour to drill. I chose solid silver hardware and an 18k gold nib plated with rhodium for a clean look.
The finish is the natural shine of the marble, sanded to 12,000 mm after carefully sealing any microscopic fractures, then buffed repeatedly. Buffing was kind of fun, I could feel the marble heating up nicely and used that as a way to determine when it had been on that wheel long enough.
Disappointed it didn't make it to the Finals but that's the way the cookie crumbles Thank you to those who voted for it, there were some fantastic pens this year (as always!).