Question about making a pen with feathers.

[GPDMTR25]

I'm currently trying to work with some feathers to cast myself. I was using a drop of CA on both ends of the feather to attach it to the tube. The top of the feathers glued fine but it was the other end that I had problems. The feathers I have, Jungle **** nail feathers, have very soft and fluffy feather on the other end. This is where I had the problem and the glue. I was thinking of trying it again but this time cutting off these feathers. I was also wondering if others actually use glue at all. I was worry about not to using any glue because of the way the feather might come out during the casting. I figured if they weren't glue the feathers would get stuck together.

I was wondering if anyone is aware of any feather casting tutorials. I located one http://www.shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0483.jpg.html
He uses much larger feathers than I did and he didn't use any glue.

The photo is the type of feathers I have.

Thanks for any help
Angela

 

[HSTurning]

JohnU has pheasant feathers for sale now. Maybe he could help.

 

[GPDMTR25]

I just purchased two of his blanks. I've been researching most of the day and it appears glue isn't used. Also a lot of fishing rod materials are used to create certain looks in the pens.
Angela

 

[mickr]

very thin fly wrapping line???

 

[rjwolfe3]

Maybe that really thin double sided scotch tape? The clear stuff.

 

[workinforwood]

I tried gluing to the tube. Then I tried gluing on a piece of paper, the thought being that I could then cut and glue the paper to the tube. I think the theory of it is sound, but I could not get the feathers glued on the paper in a way that was pleasing to me, and so never reached the stage of gluing the paper to the tube. I ended up surrendering and purchasing the blanks from John, because the cost of feathers, glue and time was kicking my butt. I think that tying the feathers with fishing line makes a lot of sense. You wouldn't tie the feathers around the actual tube. You tie them out beyond the tubes creating a sock that the tube is inside of. I could be completely wrong again with this theory too.