My first Trustone Pen

[Arbsmith]

I took the plunge and made my first trustone pen yesterday. I made a baron out of trustone/turquoise for a friend for her birthday.

I must say I was very reluctant at first, afraid that I would blow the blank out - but must say it was a quite plesant experience for the most part.

I did something that worked well for me. I had invested in the jool tool awhile back for sharpening purposes, etc. I used the most abrasive pad I had and ground off the corners of the trustone blank which made turning the blank very, very easy for me. Just my own easy way of doing it. Maybe unconventional for many, but it worked for me!

Aloha
DJ

 

[pete00]

im sure it came out just fine, and i would tell you so

IF you had posted a picture.......are we haveing a senior moment..[][}][][]

 

[Tanner]

I had a beautiful blue truestone and after turning it down to round, I noticed a crack all the way to the tube. From now on, I'm useing my belt sander to round the corners like you did. I'm thinking mine cracked because of hitting those corners so hard.

 

[Arbsmith]

I haven't posted a picture yet. I just got a new camera and will try and post one today or tomorrow. So it wasn't a senior moment - this time!

 

[stevers]

The first and only true stone I turned, blew out on the end. It was turquoise also. I have a Bianco nero blank ordered for a cigar pencil for our middle son. I'll try something like that on this one. I cant afford a blow out with the bianco nero. Wish me luck.

 

[Arbsmith]

Steve:
Good luck on that one - let us know how it comes out.

Aloha
DJ

 

[TellicoTurning]

DJ,
I've turned a few pieces of Tru-stone..... also some Polygem from HUT.. they are similar, but not exact..and the Polygem tends to be much less expensive.. I found one picture of a Tru-stone still in my library... I know I did a Turquoise fountain pen, a Blue Lapis European and a Red Jasper European but can't find the pictures... I know I lost some pictures when I change computers last year...and evidently have already sold the pens...
except for this one - a Tru-stone Banded Malachite European..

<br />
By comparison, this is a Polygem - Aquamarine.. it actually a lot more blue than the picture in the catalogue..

<br />
I don't remember paying so much for the Tru-stone, but that was back a couple of years and haven't bought any lately.

Looking forward to seeing your pen... Love Turquoise, in any form.

 

[toolcrazy]

I've ordered some tru-stone to try it out. My wife fell in love with one of the colors, so I got her some. Only problem, she likes only slimlines and I hate to have to put trustone on a slim. I'm in a delema.

 

[Arbsmith]

Chuck in tn:
Thanks - I think I'll be able to post that picture of the turquoise Baron tomorrow. Been playing with the new camera and my homemade photo set-up - so will try.

I'm going to check out the polygem.

Aloha
DJ

 

[Arbsmith]

Steve:
Is your wife relate to mine? She likes slim lines also? Figure it out!

DJ

 

[JimGo]

If you get some of the thicker Trustone blanks, I THINK you can cut them into quarters and still get slimlines out of them if you drill carefully enough. At that rate, at least the cost per SL is relatively cheap.

 

[toolcrazy]

I may just trim it down to a smaller size then use the pieces for something else.