Pens for Troops

[NJturner]

One event I always enjoy each year is turning a bunch of pens for the 'Pens For Troops' initiatives. This year, the two AAW clubs I belong to are participating with kits and planned events for members to help out. I've been working away at a bunch of pens - Slimline's in a variety of woods to comply with the program's guidelines. If you might be interested in participating in this charity, seek out a WoodCraft store near you - a good number of the franchise stores around the country are sponsoring turning days where you get a free kit to turn in the store with a bunch of other folks. My 'somewhat' local store is doing it November 8th and 9th - so check out yours to see if you can participate! It's a great cause!!

I'm doing 20 pens total - got a bunch in process already! Not very often that I do kit pens these days, so it's been a relearning process for me - but I am enjoying the work!!!

Kevin

 

[ANTHONY.C]

Great event. What is your finishing procedure.

 

[ANTHONY.C]

What are the program's guidelines.

 

[NJturner]

Great event. What is your finishing procedure.

I prefer CA as a finish for the Troops pens. I use a flexible thin CA from Mercury for the first 3 coats and then flexible medium also from Mercury for the final 3 coats. I use accelerator between coats. Lots of other CA's offer flexible finishes, but I like either Mercury or BSI as my go to. I then dry sanding at 600 then 800 and then 1200. I then polish with 3 step auto finish polish from a firm called Rupes. Last step is a buff on my carnauba wheel of my Beall Buff (wax only). Sounds like a lot of time and work, but it goes quick and leaves a really nice high shine that I know will take a bunch of abuse.

I know a lot of other people use a quick and easy friction finish, but I am not a fan as I don't believe it will hold up. Maybe I'm doing a little overkill, but I am enjoying the ride!!!

Kevin

 

[NJturner]

What are the program's guidelines.

I've been given that they can only be Slimline ball points, without a big bulgy middle, and must use wood bodies. Other organizations may have different specs, but this has been the one I've seen that is consistent over the years I've been doing this.

Kevin