Time is standing still

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Band Saw Box

Band Saw Box

Passed Away Dec 8, 2021
In Memoriam
Joined
Sep 21, 2013
Messages
3,670
Location
Hampton, VA 23666
OK lets see I've been off work due to my foot for 6 weeks now and it been longer then that since I've turned a pen or any thing else for that matter. OK I guess it really has not been that long. I've only been off since this past Monday and it only been about 10 days or so since I last made a pen. I've been trying to fill my time by watching some of our DVD's, prime instant videos and some of the old TV programs on ANTTV and I been trying to keep up with what going on here and reading a bit. But even with that time seams to be standing still. I'm not use to being this inactive. It might be nice to be at work do it for free (I'm taking pain meds so I can not be held accountable for that statement.) I even thought I could set on my shop stool and turn but I would still have to go to my garage to cut, drill and trim the blanks so that's out. If anyone has any ideas on other things I might do to help pass the time which I think I'm going to have more of in the coming week please let me know. Thanks
 
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Hi Dan! You can come to Ohio and help plow my... :biggrin:

I agree with the stamp thought. I have started this and it takes some practice for the setup, placement, application of mog podge.

Great pictures have been posted by ... Ossaguy (Will edit after I look his correct name up). He has a fantastic set of 8 stamps with a Knight's Armor theme.

Now for the cool part (my thought). I have about 25 relatives that come every Thanksgiving and I'm going to try to make each a stamp pen reflecting their own interests ( the background work will be time consuming, but fun - time which you may have)..

So far for me: Brother-in-law likes golf and red wine.
Nephew is a Culinary Institue Graduate and a Chef in Boston... Cooking
Sister-in-law likes Traveling - Has been to Italy, Spain, France
Wifey is a Chemist and makes coatings for Heart stents and ingredients for Hair gels.
My oldest Son is a skydiver and scuba diver
A close friend has gone with me scuba diving to 5 remote locatioins that have published wonderful underwater stamps.

So.. Research where to get the stamps and order. In the meantime get some 3/8" dowels and a roll of US stamps, modge podge, and experiment how to place and glue the stamps. This will keep you busy until you can actually turn.

I have made 4 sample stamp pens - all with issues to work out, so there is a leaning curve - but I'm excited. I cut up sections of broom sticks for the wood blanks under the stamps - .20 each blank.

Just an idea to keep you out of the shop and off your feet! :cool:


You posted a comment for him: ossaguy!
 
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You can...

Work on a record-keeping system

Design a show booth layout

Design displays

Make a list of items to take to shows

Research shows in your area

Make plans to organize shop

Design a segmenting jig

OR...

You could find ways to enjoy the time with family and friends as you'll have less time to do that when you return to work.
 
Band Saw Box said:
Thanks a good idea, but I don't have the equipment to do that.
Click to expand...

HORSE HOCKEY!

Disclaimer: I get that money can be tight and can kill the idea and you may not have a workshop warm enough.....

http://content.penturners.org/library/general_reference/startcastingforlessthan100.pdf

Poly Resin: $50-$60

PVC Pipe, PVC caps, a square foot of 1/8" acrylic and some corks: $25 or less (I mount with epoxy the PVC Caps to a small sheet of acrylic, then I cut the pipes, pop in a cork covered with a latex glove finger and place it into the PVC cap.)

Dye or mica: You can probably buy from Michaels or woodnwhimsies for another $25

Popsicle sticks and paper cups: $10

And you're in business.

Run over to Fred if ya want to get more into it and get a mold for $25.

With the pen turners and the casters in the area, they may even be willing to donate or sell some of their excess or stockpiles stuff for a lot less.

50-60 5" blanks you made for about $2 each.



My wife always is scared to death when I have surgeries and nothing to do or told I can't do something. I spend money on new hobbies or upgrade old ones or something gets tore apart/remodeled around the house.
 
When I was out with my back I did a new layout for my shop and worked on organization ideas for blanks, bits, kits, bushings, etc. I know what it is like to have cabin fever. I pray that you will be able to be back in the shop soon.
 
Lots of great ideas to think about, except for plowing snow. I think I could try casting sooner then I though.....I'll know Monday when I get the results of the MRI. Thanks for the ideas.
 
Casting can be cheaper.

Go to michael's with a coupon and get one of the casting kits. Make a mold out of several layers of aluminum foil.

If casting on a tube, trim stoppers to fit the ends and stick straight pins through the foil into the stopper to hold it off the bottom. Gently pour in the resin.

It's a start. :smile:
 
I've given this a lot of thought. I don't care what the doctors says I'm going to turn a pen tomorrow no matter how much time I have to be on my feet.
 
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