Trimrings and Redwood Lace Burl

[mark james]

I haven't made any trim rings recently, so I thought I'd give it a shot.

This is for a special order where the wood was supplied to me. The trim rings were made from a spindle of Curly Red Leaf Maple, and a block of Black walnut. The rest was a beautiful Redwood Lace Burl.

 

[mark james]

Here's the process.

 

[Edgar]

Awesome pen, Mark. The proportions and spacing of the segmenting are perfect!

 

[Dalecamino]

Awesome pen Mark. The process is really cool. Love seeing these pens.

 

[Aces-High]

Really nice!

 

[Kenny Durrant]

Very Nice! Thanks for showing the process. Although seeing the process doesn't make any easier but it does show us the skill you have for planning and precision. Well Done!

 

[Jim15]

Great work.

 

[Alan Morrison]

Mark, I aspire to reach your level of precision.
Hope you are able to spend more time in the workshop.
Do you have a photograph of the jig you use to cut those walnut strips?
Alan

 

[mark james]

Mark, I aspire to reach your level of precision.
Hope you are able to spend more time in the workshop.
Do you have a photograph of the jig you use to cut those walnut strips?
Alan

G'Day Alan. Thank you for the kind comments. I cut the strips on a band saw simply with the stock fence and then mill the strips in a Byrnes thickness sander to get the exact fit for the slots. I have no special jig for the band saw yet - just have not made the effort. But with the thickness sander, I can get whatever dimension I need.

 

[bsshog40]

That is awesome. Love the process also. Do you start with a normal size blank also?

 

[darrin1200]

Excellent looking pen Mark. Also looks like a very straight forward technique.
How do you cut the slits? Do you use a table saw jig?

 

[mark james]

Thanks for the kind words. I'll respond to Darrin first as it will better explain my answer to Bobby.

Excellent looking pen Mark. Also looks like a very straight forward technique.
How do you cut the slits? Do you use a table saw jig?

I use a router mounted on a junked 1950's metal lathe (no motor, gears, etc. BUT, it has a heavy duty indexing plate welded to the headstock). I can cut up to 12 slots for a typical pen trim ring. More slots give me problems as the blank tends to explode as little wood is left in the middle. I'll attach a picture and look for the thread where I give a fuller explanation.

This thread has my initial work on trim rings (I called them billets back then). The discussion is helpful as there are other ways to make these rings. Billet Rings.

That is awesome. Love the process also. Do you start with a normal size blank also?

I like to start with an oversized, round blank. 1" OD x 8-9" long. I have used 3/4" OD and that did fine, but if I have larger stock I'll use it.

 

[bsshog40]

Thanks Mark!

 

[Angela S]

Per usual a beautiful pen. Thank you for the process pictures!

 

[KenB259]

Beautiful pen , awesome craftsmanship, great generosity in showing your process.


Sent from my iPad using Penturners.org mobile app

 

[Timber Ripper]

Thanks for showing the process Mark. I've always wondered how you did that. Great Work!

 

[Chief TomaToe]

I am such a fan of your trim rings. They are simply perfect!

 

[leehljp]

I salute you! I know how hard it is getting to that level of perfection on a long blank with even spacing all the way around from end to end. I did it once but couldn't reproduce it for a loooong time.

That is superb work. Masterful!

 

[Scraper_1]

That there is artwork, really inspiring!

 

[mark james]

I salute you! I know how hard it is getting to that level of perfection on a long blank with even spacing all the way around from end to end. I did it once but couldn't reproduce it for a loooong time.

That is superb work. Masterful!

I am a fan of past IAP artistry, so I do remember reading: Baron Penstripe.

I am fortunate to have gotten "Frankie" for $150. My process is much easier than what you were needing to do. Your Baron is beautiful, and I appreciate the precision you were able to attain. (Yes, sometimes the sun and moon align!).