See! I really DO turn pens sometimes!

[JimGo]

Two different heart/sapwood mix Cocobolo cigar pens, along with a Havana made of Black Palm. Blew up an entire blank's worth of wood trying to drill the Black Palm for the darn Havana, then the main barrel exploded just as I was getting it close to size. I managed to scavenge the pieces and glue everything up without it being TOO obvious. I wound up with what I think is one of my best finishes on the Havana. The Coco's aren't bad either, but the Havana just looks great! Only problem I see is that I over-sanded on one of the Coco's, and that the pen didn't quite press together all the way; I think there may be some junk in the barrel.

As always, comments, critiques, etc. are welcome.

Black Palm:
/forum/albums/JimGo/Black Palm - Open - small.jpg

/forum/albums/JimGo/Black Palm - Closed - small.jpg


Cocobolo pen 1
/forum/albums/JimGo/Cocobolo H and S Pen 1 - Right Side - small.jpg


Cocobolo Pen 2
/forum/albums/JimGo/Cocobolo H and S Pen 2 - Right - small.jpg

/forum/albums/JimGo/Cocobolo H and S Pen 2 - Left - small.jpg

 

[Texas Taco]

I like the "Cocobolo Pen 2" but the other two are just as nice. I've got to turn some of the cigar pens!

 

[wdcav1952]

Very nice Jim! The heart/sap wood pen is really spectacular.

 

[rtjw]

very nice Jim. Love the black palm. I was given some by tom. Cant wait to try it.

 

[Old Griz]

Nice pens.... I sent my palm to Johnny to be stabilized... it makes all the difference in the world when turning that stuff....

 

[JimGo]

That's a good idea Tom! I was surprised at how "stringy" the palm is. Of course, when you're drilling with something like a 37/64" bit and you're only drilling into a blank that's, at most, 3/4" square, there isn't much margin for error. Could explain my feelings about the wood!

I did learn something important this time; the quill travel on my very inexpensive HF drill press (which is on sale, BTW) is not perfectly square. In fact, you can see the bit move to the left pretty clearly by eye as the bit is lowered. Good thing to know so I can take this into account on my future big pens.

 

[Draken]

Jim,
The other thing I noticed about that drill press is the table flexes down just a bit when lowering the bit. Might want to get a short length of PVC pipe and prop it between the front underside of the table and the benchtop to prevent the flexing. The flexing causes the bit to move towards you as you drill down through the blank.

Cheers,
Draken

Duh, silly me, forgot to mention, nice pens! I too like the hardwood/sapwood combination. [:I]

 

[JimGo]

James,
Thanks, the PVC is a great idea! I was thinking of just replacing that work surface with some plywood or some of the MDF I have left over from another project; the fiberboard is left over from the previous owner.

 

[Draken]

Just to clarify, the PVC should go from the small metal table attached to the DP, to the benchtop that holds the DP. It is the small metal table that I noticed the flex. Hope the PVC helps!

Cheers,
Draken

 

[Easysport]

Very Nice, I like like like[]

 

[Bev Polmanteer]

That palm is a bugger to turn! Light touch is mandatory and then some! They are both great but the coco is very unusual.

 

[Dario]

They all look great. You should turn more!!! []

(coming from one who hardly turns too LOL)

 

[Daniel]

Gotta say that Havana hits me right where it counts. that is one really great looking pen by my taste. I'm a kingwood fan as well. nice save.

 

[BigRob777]

Jim,
You won't have the same problem with the red palm I sent today. It is at least 7/8" square. The kingwood is a bit over 3/4".

Nice work. I like the sapwood. I am saving some sapwood shorties for the same type of idea.
Rob

 

[JimGo]

Cool! Thanks Rob! Can't wait to play with the red palm!

 

[Dan]

Jim,

Just what was the magic finish on the Black Palm?

 

[JimGo]

BLO/CA Dan. Most of my pens are BLO/CA; I'm too impatient for other finishes!

 

[PenWorks]

Very nice looking pens Jim, glad to see your not all talk [] Palm woods are some of my favorite, the Havana turned out wonderful.

 

[BryanJon]

The black palm pen looks great. I have worked with BP a bit and you do need to take light cuts, have to be very careful. Well worth it though.

 

[rlh]

Great looking pens. I am partial to Cocobolo. Where did you find the heartwood/sapwood combo blanks[?][][]

 

[JimGo]

Richard, I got this from WoodTurningz; Ryan was nice enough to go through his stock to find approximately 50/50 mixes for me. I have some African Blackwood too.

 

[MDWine]

Yep, you know I like the sapwood! Nice pens all. ...npgj!!!