Warren White
Member
I have turned several pens with Padauk, but have had problems with the last two. They were both slimline (almost all of my pens are slimline), and both have experienced a small chip tear out (1/32" square) on one end when I separated the bushing from the blank. Both are from the same 'batch' of paddock purchased at a hardwood dealer.
My finish is always CA, and I am very careful about cleaning the bushing/blank margin with a jeweler's screwdriver, using the tool rest as a guide. I do that before I start the Micro Mesh wet sanding process. I have never had this problem except on the last two padauk pens.
I have been able to keep this from ruining my day by following the advice of Barry Gross who says "You know why we put clips on pens, don't you? It is to hide issues like this."
My thought is that padauk is less dense than the other woods I work with (like Walnut, quilted maple, sapele) and hence more susceptible to not liking any tension on such a thin end.
I welcome your thoughts!
My finish is always CA, and I am very careful about cleaning the bushing/blank margin with a jeweler's screwdriver, using the tool rest as a guide. I do that before I start the Micro Mesh wet sanding process. I have never had this problem except on the last two padauk pens.
I have been able to keep this from ruining my day by following the advice of Barry Gross who says "You know why we put clips on pens, don't you? It is to hide issues like this."
My thought is that padauk is less dense than the other woods I work with (like Walnut, quilted maple, sapele) and hence more susceptible to not liking any tension on such a thin end.
I welcome your thoughts!