New Member from Melbourne, FL

[Marcus]

Greetings All,
I am a new member who has been a woodworker for a long time, but only started turning pens about two months ago.

I started using CA as my preferential finish because it is very durable. I received two critiques from my better half. The first was that the glossy, shiny finish looks like plastic and the pen doesn't look like wood. (I dismissed this.) The second, and the one I am taking seriously, is that she said that the pen was very slippery when she wrote with it.

So far, I've made a few Slim-Line pens and Designer or European pens. I like the European pen design and, indeed, the finish is slippery. Is it possible to do a CA finish yet still have a slightly rougher surface that may accent the grain, yet provide a better feel of the actual wood?

Thanks.

Marcus

 

[Alan Morrison]

Welcome to the forum, Marcus.
As a matter of interest, there are a number of members here who would agree with your wife that a high gloss CA finish gives an unnatural plastic like look to a pen, myself included.
You can tone it down a bit with wire wool, if you want.

Alan

 

[tomtedesco]

Welcome from Colorado.

 

[Jim15]

Welcome Marcus.

 

[studioseven]

Hi Marcus,
I grew up in Palm Bay. Back then we didn't have a high school so we went to Mel Hi. I live in Wisconsin now (Its a long story). I sure miss my old stomping grounds.

Seven

 

[Fuzzy63]

Hi Marcus, and welcome to the IAP.
Gary

 

[Marcus]

Welcome to the forum, Marcus.
As a matter of interest, there are a number of members here who would agree with your wife that a high gloss CA finish gives an unnatural plastic like look to a pen, myself included.
You can tone it down a bit with wire wool, if you want.

Alan

Thanks. I like the glossy finish, but will try roughing in up with fine wire wool, as you say.

 

[wolf creek knives]

Welcome Marcus from Montana. Lots of great info here...just ask.

 

[Sataro]

Welcome from Corsicana, TX.

 

[wood128]

Welcome . I am in Cocoa Beach

 

[Edgar]

Welcome from Texas, Marcus.

 

[Marcus]

Welcome from Texas, Marcus.

Thanks.

 

[zorro9]

Welcome, the opportunities to learn and share are here, the talent is within you.
Ps spent a year at Patrick AFB as a guest of the Air Force. Good memories.

 

[randyrls]

Welcome Marcus! Others have posted this. I make wood pens with a CA finish and as the last finishing step I use 0000 steel wool to take the shine off the CA. This gives the pen the look and feel of wood, but still protects the surface.

 

[Wayne]

Hello and Welcome to our home. We have many ideas and Downloadable PDF tutorials for your review.

Here's an Introductory Document for Reference.

Welcome Quick Start Reference for New Members

This is a good Quick Start document for new members. It offer many links. Click on the image below to begin download of PDF. Author: Wayne Racinowski

www.penturners.org

Take a look at our "General Announcements" on the Home Page.

International Association of Penturners

International Association of Penturners

www.penturners.org

Here is a direct link to the Library of Tutorials Menu.

IAP Library Menu of Tutorials (Last Update 4-3-2024)

IAP Library Menu of Tutorials (Last Update 4-3-2024) Search All Current Library Resources View Latest Additions - Last 6 Months CATEGORIES

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Here's a list of World Wide Pen Suppliers.

World Wide Pen Suppliers - Revised 3-23-2024

Please notify Library Manager of Additional Suppliers. This is a Revision to World Wide Pen Suppliers List - Revised 3-23-2024 Click on the image below to begin download of PDF. IAP Supplier Poll...

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Let me know if you find any others.

Have Fun!