Soapstone pen blanks $5 each

Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
greenmtnguy

greenmtnguy

Local Chapter Leader
Joined
Nov 18, 2007
Messages
1,689
Location
Chester, Vermont, USA.

View in Gallery
Better photo of reworked pen with Ren wax finish

Post here so all will know what is taken
Disclaimer- not for beginners or those with no patience.
Hints on turning Soapstone. I cut the blanks with a bandsaw. Leave as little of material as possible to end mill to save time. I turn them initially with the meanest large coarse rasp that I could find. When you are about 1/4" from finished size, sand until finished. I used extremely coarse paper/ 24 and 36 grit until closer. then 60 grit, finishing with 220 and 320. You probably will have to leave the blank pround of the hardware or risk a blowout. I blew out the cap end on this , so just sanded off the blowout and left it. No finish used, but if you wax it, it darkens considerably. Still with me? Blanks are $5.00 each with 5.80 postage.
I can fit 6 blanks in a box. 1 1/4 square by 5 1/8 approx I have 16 blanks
 
Last edited:
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Sounds like fun, how do I buy from you? I would like three of them.

Sent Paypal payment for 3 blanks, thanks.
 
Last edited:
Alton, do you need to leave the blank so fat to get good results? Looking at this one, the blank seems to be underturned to me. But, maybe that's just me, I don't care for fat pens. Have you tried turning this type of soapstone with carbide tools?
Len
 
I haven't tried Carbide but I have turned a different Soapstone with a spindle gouge. Had to sharpen once or twice but it worked. Vermont stone is soft, but I didn't get this at the quarry, so it's origin in unclear. I probably could have gotten closer on the finishing with 400 grit, but I was in a hurry to get the blanks listed. I do find that the thin ends are delicate and like to blow out. I could have beveled the ends to make a smoother transition, but this pen is not intended for sale so it does not matter. I may tear it apart and redo the ends to make it saleable. The pen was designed for a center band, but again I wanted to show what the material looked like more than the quality of the work. The ribbed center bands on streamlines eliminate the problem of blowouts on the ends at the center of the pen so it could be a lot thinner in the center.
 
Last edited:
I've turned darker (and thus harder) soapstone just fine with carbide tools. Nice looking color of stone, Alton! Have you tried one of those with a "Comfort Band"? That would give you a wider mid-section band to go with the beefier style of that pen's body.
 
I have turned soap stone before. It is very easy to turn. Blowouts are very very comon be very gentle with it. I used regular turning tools. I will give you some recommendation, Do this outside with a respirator. It will clog your dust collection bag quickly, so clean it good when suction is reduced. YOU DO NOT WANT TO BREATH THE DUST IN AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. It is a great material to turn.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom