Pen material

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pshib

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Just wondering what everyone has used to make pens from. In my short time of pen turning I have used acrylic, buffalo horn, antler, wood, polymer clay, tru-stone, soapstone, and alabaster. I have access to some bamboo flooring samples that I'm wanting to make. Is there anything else I could try that can be done on a wood lathe.

I forgot to mention that I hate all types of acrylics. They take way too long.
 
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PVC water pipe and Trex decking material are two of the stranger ones I've turned. The Trex turned like wet cardboard but makes for an attractive pen. The Cigar pens I made from the Trex were dang heavy.
 
pshib said:
Just wondering what everyone has used to make pens from. In my short time of pen turning I have used acrylic, buffalo horn, antler, wood, polymer clay, tru-stone, soapstone, and alabaster. I have access to some bamboo flooring samples that I'm wanting to make. Is there anything else I could try that can be done on a wood lathe.

I forgot to mention that I hate all types of acrylics. They take way too long.
Click to expand...

I'm confused...I can turn and finish 5 acrylics in the time it takes me to turn and finish one wooden ca pen..perhaps I'm missing something?:confused::confused:
 
We have a great library here. It has an answer for almost every question. :biggrin: So, here is the answer to yours…at least a partial answer.:wink:http://content.penturners.org/library/materials/Alternative_materials_AZ.pdf

Do a good turn daily!
Don

pshib said:
Just wondering what everyone has used to make pens from. In my short time of pen turning I have used acrylic, buffalo horn, antler, wood, polymer clay, tru-stone, soapstone, and alabaster. I have access to some bamboo flooring samples that I'm wanting to make. Is there anything else I could try that can be done on a wood lathe.

I forgot to mention that I hate all types of acrylics. They take way too long.
Click to expand...
 
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Ambidex said:
pshib said:
Just wondering what everyone has used to make pens from. In my short time of pen turning I have used acrylic, buffalo horn, antler, wood, polymer clay, tru-stone, soapstone, and alabaster. I have access to some bamboo flooring samples that I'm wanting to make. Is there anything else I could try that can be done on a wood lathe.

I forgot to mention that I hate all types of acrylics. They take way too long.
Click to expand...

I'm confused...I can turn and finish 5 acrylics in the time it takes me to turn and finish one wooden ca pen..perhaps I'm missing something?:confused::confused:
Click to expand...

Everyone is different. For some reason I can't seem to go as fast with acrylic as I can with wood. My first few attempts at doing a ca finish took way too long but now I can do 4 or 5 wood pens in an hour with a ca finish. In that same time I can get 1 acrylic pen done. This all depends on the wood of course. Ebony and mesquite take longer than other woods but still faster that acrylic. The down side is that I have to use a respirator when I use any ca or I'll be sneezing for a week.
 
pshib said:
Just wondering what everyone has used to make pens from. In my short time of pen turning I have used acrylic, buffalo horn, antler, wood, polymer clay, tru-stone, soapstone, and alabaster. I have access to some bamboo flooring samples that I'm wanting to make. Is there anything else I could try that can be done on a wood lathe.

I forgot to mention that I hate all types of acrylics. They take way too long.
Click to expand...

Tell you what---you start making a pen from any of the above and I will start one from acrylic of your choice. INCLUDING finishing time, I will bet you whatever you like that I finish before you do.

Acrylics are the fastest pens to make---once you and the material understand each other!!

In addition, Acrylic does not crack after its made and does not have an unpredictable CA finish.

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
Ed
 
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ed4copies said:
pshib said:
Just wondering what everyone has used to make pens from. In my short time of pen turning I have used acrylic, buffalo horn, antler, wood, polymer clay, tru-stone, soapstone, and alabaster. I have access to some bamboo flooring samples that I'm wanting to make. Is there anything else I could try that can be done on a wood lathe.

I forgot to mention that I hate all types of acrylics. They take way too long.
Click to expand...

Tell you what---you start making a pen from any of the above and I will start one from acrylic of your choice. INCLUDING finishing time, I will bet you whatever you like that I finish before you do.

Acrylics are the fastest pens to make---once you and the material understand each other!!

:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
Ed
Click to expand...

Not all of us are "2 Pass Ed Brown" LOL
 
Here's a photo of my latest sale.
 

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BURLMAN said:
I have made and SOLD several pens made out of bull penis. No kidding. (Wear a respirator).
Click to expand...

This leads to so many questions... Like how and why did you start? And where do you get the material? But more importantly, how did you start with that material?


I used to work at a zoo and suspect this would have been popular with a lot of the staff. My grandfather, a cattleman most if his life, met a lady at the Florida State Fair who made walking sticks out of bull penis. They were very popular.
 
Well, as you know, we as pen makers need help. We're addicted and always looking for way to expand the envelope. OK, OK, I need more help. LOML and my other pastime is competing in dog agility. Bull penis (bully sticks, puzzles) are dog treats that vendors routinely sell at the competitions. I saw some big ones and the light bulb clicked. BTW who do you think picks them up the most at a show???

Dolphinjon said:
BURLMAN said:
I have made and SOLD several pens made out of bull penis. No kidding. (Wear a respirator).
Click to expand...

This leads to so many questions... Like how and why did you start? And where do you get the material? But more importantly, how did you start with that material?


I used to work at a zoo and suspect this would have been popular with a lot of the staff. My grandfather, a cattleman most if his life, met a lady at the Florida State Fair who made walking sticks out of bull penis. They were very popular.
Click to expand...
 
BURLMAN said:
Well, as you know, we as pen makers need help. We're addicted and always looking for way to expand the envelope. OK, OK, I need more help. LOML and my other pastime is competing in dog agility. Bull penis (bully sticks, puzzles) are dog treats that vendors routinely sell at the competitions. I saw some big ones and the light bulb clicked. BTW who do you think picks them up the most at a show???
Click to expand...

I always wanted to do agility with an Australian shepherd I had, but she was too lazy to buy into it. Go figure, a lazy Australian shepherd.
I've seen those bully sticks for sale and never thought of that. I'll have to keep an eye out for them.

As for who buys the most? I have no idea, though my first thought was middle school boys buying them as joke.
 
I didn't realize that this pen turning thing was supposed to be a race between each of us and Ed. I guess I'm doing it wrong.
 
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