Two new pens today.

[Dale Parrott]

I was able to spend some time in my shop yesterday and today with a goal of learning to make the Celtic Knot. The pens the photo are number 2 and 3 and I really don't want to talk about number 1. When trying something new I use my free or cheap wood as not to waste the good stuff. I used Oak for the body and Jatoba for the knots and of course Slimlines until I refine my skills.
As a beginner I'm always open for suggestions and tips.

 

[GaryMGg]

Dale
Those look quite good.

 

[alamocdc]

Not bad looking knots at all for attempts 2 and 3, Dale!

 

[CKormann]

Those look great, Dale. Learning the Celtic knot is on my to-do list as well.

Chris

 

[Sataro]

Both of those pens look good Dale! Knots look good. Cheap wood? Wood looks good to me!

 

[Kretzky]

Your skills look pretty refined to me :RockOn:
David

 

[BigE]

Looks good, Dale.

Did you cut those with a bandsaw or by hand?

The knots look too thin to have been done on a tablesaw (I like the thinner better).

Regards,
Steve
Http://pens.Bigelowsite.com

 

[rizaydog]

Great looking pens. Nice work.

 

[Dale Parrott]

Knots

Thank you for your kind words.
I started with 1" squares and drilled the hole first on my lathe. I figured I had a better chance of messing the centering of the hole than cutting the angles on the band saw. I made a small band saw sled and then outfitted it with a 60 degree angle block as well as a stop block.After all the gluing was done I very carefully redrilled to cut through the Jatoba. I used medium CA for all the joints.

One of the things I learned from this experience is that if you go to all the trouble to make a knot you might as well do a batch while you're all set up.

 

[mrcook4570]

Great looking pens!

 

[SDB777]

Good loooking knots...what angle did you use here?
And nice spacing on the finger grooves too!




Scott (winners both) B

 

[Dale Parrott]

Thanks Scott.

I used 60 degrees on the knots.

It's amazing how big they look when you start and how small they end up.

 

[Fishinbo]

As a beginner, you are off to a good start. Looks like they are made by a pro. Continue honing your skills.