Tom McMillan
Member
I haven't shared a lot of penmaking for several years, and just realized my album went away with the new changes to the website, so I did recreate part of it.
I realize there's been many new members since IAP started, so I'll share a pen and penholder I made a number of years ago now.
This is a pen I made from 2 layers of wood. For this pen I used Bloodwood as the lower layer and Ebony as the top layer. I turned the lower layer of wood down to just over the bushings, and drilled out the top layer to go over the lower and glued in place. I turned it evenly. Next I used a hand rasp (actually a 1/8" bas tard file(space shown since not acceptable otherwise) to carve out the spiral evenly around the pen. This particular pen and penholder won the First IAP contest for the advanced category.
I wanted to share this to let those know who aren't financially able (as am I) that methods are possible to make spiral pens without specialized equipment such as Legacy or other equipment to make spirals. At one time I had an old Sears Routercrafter I had hoped to convert to penturning, but never got to the adjusments it would have needed to make it possible. I also sold a Sorby Spiral tool that some have used in penmaking, since I didn't take the time to perfect my possible abilities with it. I will say at this point, that I greatly appreciate and admire the artisitic abilities of Bruce Boone, and those using the Legacy equipment, Mill lathes, and other spiral producing equipment, but for those without it, you can do a spiral pen!!!
My method does take some time, but I've found it does get faster with experience. If so inspired, give it a try!!!
I realize there's been many new members since IAP started, so I'll share a pen and penholder I made a number of years ago now.
This is a pen I made from 2 layers of wood. For this pen I used Bloodwood as the lower layer and Ebony as the top layer. I turned the lower layer of wood down to just over the bushings, and drilled out the top layer to go over the lower and glued in place. I turned it evenly. Next I used a hand rasp (actually a 1/8" bas tard file(space shown since not acceptable otherwise) to carve out the spiral evenly around the pen. This particular pen and penholder won the First IAP contest for the advanced category.
I wanted to share this to let those know who aren't financially able (as am I) that methods are possible to make spiral pens without specialized equipment such as Legacy or other equipment to make spirals. At one time I had an old Sears Routercrafter I had hoped to convert to penturning, but never got to the adjusments it would have needed to make it possible. I also sold a Sorby Spiral tool that some have used in penmaking, since I didn't take the time to perfect my possible abilities with it. I will say at this point, that I greatly appreciate and admire the artisitic abilities of Bruce Boone, and those using the Legacy equipment, Mill lathes, and other spiral producing equipment, but for those without it, you can do a spiral pen!!!
My method does take some time, but I've found it does get faster with experience. If so inspired, give it a try!!!