Slimline Pro Dymondwood/Black AA

[qquake]

This is a Slimline Pro in chrome from Woodcraft. I was originally going to make both bodies Dymondwood, but one blew up during trimming. I could have used another piece of Dymondwood, but was afraid the grain wouldn't line up. I'm WAY too anal for that. So I made the second body with solid black acrylic acetate. I'm glad I did, I really like the "hybrid" look.

 

[qquake]

I don't know if it was an inclusion in the blank, or me being too aggressive. Probably the latter.

 

[Micky D]

Turned out very nice. I like the mix of the 2 different colors. I have had to do the same thing but usually because I leave a pen out and my dog eats part of it before I catch him. The little bugger loves wood.

 

[magpens]

I also like the 2 different blank materials .... seems to add "class" to the pen !!

Very nice result in spite of the blow up ( "blessing" in disguise ! )

 

[qquake]

I have done it on purpose before, which is what gave me the idea.

 

[ed4copies]

As I have recommended before, if you MUST use a barrel trimmer (I hate them) on laminated wood, first soak the end with thin CA and let it set overnight. This does NOT GUARANTEE success, but it decreases the chance you will catch the laminations and tear the blank apart.

Better strategy: Face the blank with sandpaper.

FWIW,
Ed

 

[David350]

Great pen... I'll second Ed's suggestion about using sanding to trim the ends. I had probably a dozen random catches, tear-outs, etc. (out of about 200 pens) that ruined blanks using a mill. Since I started using Rick Herrell's sanding jig, I have not had a single issue with barrel trimming.

 

[qquake]

I've been using a barrel trimmer for 20 years, and see no reason to switch to something else. I've turned literally thousands of pens, and haven't had enough failures to make me want to do it any other way.