I like the concept. Why did you use CA after you have said so many times that you don't like it? I figured you used lacquer all the time.
This blank has a long story and I never thought it would get to completion.
My methods of finishing have changed quite a bit in 3 and 1/2 years.
Getting back to the blank.
When I Started the glue up I had a limited number of pieces made up and I Was really cutting it close.
I discovered a serious error after I had started gluing in the inlays.
I did not have enough pieces to start another from scratch but Idid want to see if the blank would hold up and give the desired result.
I made the necessary repairs and forged on.
The blank survived drilling, milling and turning.
I use CA as a sealer on blanks like this.Whenever I read the reasons why CA is not a good adhesive for glue ups I never see it mentioned one thing that ca does better than any other adhesive.It has better wicking properties than any other glue I have used. This is why it is so beneficial for "stabilizing" or hardening blanks while turning.
With the amount of glue joints in this blank I made sure I stopped and added more CA as I went along.
Using a CA finish on top of using it as a sealer is a natural.
My CA finishes aren't consistent.When I am successful they are as good as any ones.
I have never had much luck with a CA finish on ebony and the addition of the aluminum did not improve my odds.
Because of the flaws I noticed while sanding I knew that this pen would not be sold so I figured I may as well try a CA finish as I did want to get it assembled.
No doubt as CA finish is quicker. This pen just was not worth the time and effort to put the normal finish I Would use on ebony with aluminum inlays which is and acrylic sealer and a water based top coat.
The other issue is the piece of ebony itself.It was not as black as I had hoped though initially it was very black and that is why I Selected this piece.
The contrast of the inlay with the lighter brown is growing on me but not what I had envisioned.
This is a close up of one of the repaired sections.You can see the brass tube and a "larger" section of the aluminum strip
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another view of the same area