One of Mark’s Segmented Blanks That Tried to Get Away

[mmayo]

I bought three of these and this one had gaps between the segments. Not a dog or complaint, just a fact. To fill them I used 8 more coats of 40 cps CA. The result was a stuck Delrin finishing bushing that cracked off a chip of finish. After sanding and reapplying CA - here it is. Luckily the gap turned black and only Mark and I know. Now I have the set of three ready for Black Friday at the Bear Valley Holiday Bazaar. I've priced them almost twice my typical Sierra due to the much better and more expensive segmented blanks plus the elegant Sierra kit. We will see...

Mark James - take no offense as none was intended. I felt like a failure to only finish 2 of 3. I love these three segmented pens.

 

[1shootist]

I think it looks great. I'm just quessing were I think the area is you are talking about, you did a great job of filling it in !

Good luck at the Bazaar !!

 

[mmayo]

It was easy too see before finish, now not so much. Thanks

 

[mark james]

Looks good Mark - And no offense taken in any respect! I have always hesitated to "sell/disperse/gift" my blanks because most need some sort of ... tweaking. You did a great job with the three you got.

Most of what I do are one-offs. I have little interest in selling blanks, or doing custom runs of multiple blanks of similar designs. Others do this for the Chevron designs, and more power to them. I have done these, but they are not really my interest. I prefer to figure out a design. attempt to make it, then move one to the next.

I also like to post my process, so others can learn and adapt and modify what I have done and get to new designs. This is a great evolution to witness.

I hope the three you have sell well.

Oh, I can't see any flaws! .

Best regards, Mark

 

[magpens]

Very beautiful blank, Mark; and very beautiful pen, Mark !!!

 

[bsshog40]

Looks great! Marks work is very very nice and skillful!.

 

[Chief TomaToe]

Beauties! In my experience, people will pay extra for such artistry without question.

 

[wolf creek knives]

Nice looking pen! I don't see any issues with it and to the untrained eye, probably no one else will see issues with it either. Good job on both of your work.

 

[leehljp]

" The result was a stuck Delrin finishing bushing that cracked off a chip of finish."

While many will wonder why delrin and CA can get stuck, it is not "stuck" but the strength of the CA in hardening on a form - that is what happens.

Many have seen this photo before:
https://www.witn.com/home/headlines...-Jeep-frozen-in-time-at-Vidant-292406901.html

Thick enough layers of CA hardens around the edges and into scratches of the delrin and won't pull out without breaking itself at the weakest point. When I have a fairly thick CA build-up, I will score the CA at the joint on the delrin. Again, it is not sticking to the delrin as an adhesive but as a formation into minute' cracks and scratches of the delrin and does not "give" or loose its integrity such as at the weakest point - such as the photo above.

EXCELLENT Pen! I wouldn't sell it, I would keep it as my own to use!

 

[Bob in SF]

Great!

 

[Alan Morrison]

Mark James is getting quite good at these pen blanks!!!
and you Mark have done them proud.
Alan