I have a request for a pen for someone who likes trains, any ideas of what I could make it from that is "train related" Any ideas would be a help. Thanks!
NEED HELP WITH AN IDEA
- Thread starter hunter-27
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
VisExp
Member
ElMostro made some blanks out of coal cast in white acrylic. I'm sure that would appeal to a train buff.
http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=29558&SearchTerms=coal
http://www.penturners.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=29558&SearchTerms=coal
alphageek
Former Moderator
Make a closed ended with a whistle?
That might be easier then turning the rail
doddman70
Member
how about an old rail road tie
Jarheaded
Member
I have old railroad ties if you want a blank. I personally would wear a very good respirator and tyvek suit to turn it though.
btboone
Member
You could do the train engineer striped cloth under polyester. Maybe an endcap of a model train wheel cast into it. Lots of possibilities with the model materials like ballast, coal, grass, and foilage.
rlharding
Member
Do a train decal.
rdunn12
Member
I say turn the rail.You wanted a challenge,there you go.
warreng8170
Member
I second this suggestion. I think this would look great and is a very recognizable pattern to train buffs. I should know, my dad is OBSESSED!!
-warren
That sounds AWESOME, I am just not set up or qualified to do castings. If there is anyone out there reading this that could make it happen for a reasonable fee please let me know, I certainly don't want to have to go with Ronald's suggestion and try the rail
Glass Scratcher
Member
That is a great Idea!!!
Randy_
Member
Maybe you could do one of the larger kits in imitation ivory and then have a steam locomotive image laser engraved by Ken Nelsen. With the image infilled in black, it would look very much like scrimshaw and would be a very striking display.
alamocdc
Member
Better yet, just use the striped material and CA, and forego the casting. It's not that difficult. Just keep the material tight as you wrap it to eliminate large air pockets.
railrider1920
Member
If you do use RR ties, Do make sure that they are the old ones. I was asking some old time RR workers who also do some wood working. They said that the older ties don't have much of the creosote left in them and that they "should be ok to turn" If I remember correctly, creosote has some pretty nasty chemicals in it, like arsenic. The wood may be dry, but I would guess that those other chemicals are still in there.
I work for the RR and have been thinking of the same thing, a RR pen. Some good ideas here so far.
Johnnie, did you turn any of the wood from the tie? How did it work out? Have any pictures?
GoodTurns
Member
stepping well out of the box here....
have one of our "cast masters" here make a SMOKE blank, use clear with a white swirl in it, then segment on a black tip that gets turned to the shape of an old steam engine smokestack
have one of our "cast masters" here make a SMOKE blank, use clear with a white swirl in it, then segment on a black tip that gets turned to the shape of an old steam engine smokestack