Working on my first Apex pen

[qquake]

When I first saw the Apex pen on PSI's website, I was very intrigued. I love the style and complexity of the kit. I ordered three kits, and recently started on my first. I really like the profile on the left from PSI's website, and decided to give that one a go. My lathe skills aren't the greatest, so I decided to use wood for my first attempt, as wood is more forgiving and easier to shape (for me, at least) than acrylic. I have several of these blanks, I believe they're Thailand rosewood, but I could be wrong.

I was a little concerned about trimming the plunger blank, but I used a spacer in my gate jig, and it was easy peasy.

 

[qquake]

After trimming both blanks, and figuring out the bushings, I started roughing them out.

 

[qquake]

I got the plunger blank turned to the bushings, and cut the shape in the main blank. Not the best, but it's pretty good for me. I'm happy with it. I usually finish my wood pens with Krylon Triple Thick Crystal Clear Glaze, which I did on the main body. But I decided to use regular Krylon Crystal Clear on the plunger, because it goes on thinner. I don't want it to hang up. I'll assemble it when I get home from work today.

 

[Drewboy22]

That looks really nice! Did you spray it on the lathe or take the wood outside and spray it?

 

[qquake]

I sprayed it on outside. It's a spray on lacquer. I've used it for years, with good results. I don't sell my pens, though, so I don't know how well it would hold up to frequent use.

 

[Drewboy22]

Do you resand it and respray it?

Those 3 pens look great!!

 

[qquake]

Do you resand it and respray it?

Those 3 pens look great!!

Thanks for the compliments! No, I usually just spray on one coat. The triple thick glaze is pretty thick. Although with this one, it wasn't very smooth after I sprayed it. So I put it back on the lathe after the lacquer had dried, and polished it.

 

[qquake]

I pressed everything together with my drill press as usual. One reviewer on PSI's website said that the wood on his plunger cracked when he pressed it together, so I scraped out the inside of the brass tube. It went together with no problems.

 

[qquake]

This might be my new favorite kit! It makes a unique and striking pen. It's more complex than the other kits I've made, but I enjoyed the challenge. I might not be so happy, though, if I'd had problems. LOL

I am very pleased with how this one turned out!