Finally Got It Right

[JRD]

After several weeks of trying to master turned pencils, I finally got it right. I wanted to complete several commissioned pen/pencil sets and for some reason had a really hard time on the pencils.

I'm attaching photos of two. Magnolia for an interim pastor who's leaving. He's from California so I figured a southern wood like Magnolia might create some memories for him. The other is lightly spalted Maple, one of the commissioned works.

 

[NCPete]

Nice!

 

[DaveO]

Both look great :eusa_clap Which set is the Magnolia? I have always been interested in seeing what that wood looked like.
Dave

 

[JohnsonMBrandon]

They look great. Good work! It does take some time to master pens and be productive at making them quickly. I am still working on this myself. It would help if I could find a few more hours in the day!

 

[D L Ames]

Great looking pens and pencils. Both sets turned out really nice.:icon_thum

D L

 

[Ray Martin]

Beautiful job on the writing instruments. Wish I had a handwritting that matched their beauty.

Ray

 

[skeeter]

Nice job. Both sets turned out great. Be proud.

 

[cskipper]

YEA!!!!!!! :wav: What did you figure out the problem was with your pencils???? Where did you find magnolia?? What kind of finish did you use?????

Now, aren't you glad I got you started on pens???

 

[JRD]

Dave,

The first photo is the Magnolia. I find it has a very unusual color and grain, the photo does not do it justice.

Cathy,

It seems as though the nut on the mandrill tightens up on it's own. For me what works is to constantly keep checking to make sure it has not become too tight, crushing the brass tubes.

Yes, I'm very glad you got me trying pens and pencils. I'm already getting commissions to produce them for people who've seen the work. I won't get rich, but may be able to buy that new drill press I have my eye on.

Jim

 

[cskipper]

Are you drilling your pen blanks on your lathe? I do because of the accuracy. Glad you figured out the problem with the pencil blanks. Pens are fun and you can make good money! Glad also to help spread the dreaded WG disease!

 

[DaveO]

Dave,

The first photo is the Magnolia. I find it has a very unusual color and grain, the photo does not do it justice.


Jim

That would have been my guess, but having never seen it before I wasn't sure. Thanks for the reply, maybe I'll get to see some Magnolia wood in person someday to really appreciate it.
Dave

 

[DaveT]

Very nice looking! Where did you happen across the magnolia wood? I have not seen it for sale.

 

[Mark Anderson]

i've not turned pencils so i dont know what the mandel even looks like but i'm wondering if a bit of teflon tape (plumbers tape) would solve you problem, just a bit on the treads might keep the nut fom turning

mda

 

[cskipper]

I don't believe there is one out there. I'll work on one if you don't want it today - I don't plan on making any pens this weekend. Someone who is can take photo's of the steps.

Steps are:
1. Cut you blank (usually 3/4") a little longer than the length of the tube(s). Mark a line across the center of the long blank before cutting it in two so you have a reference point for lining up the grain.
2. Drill the hole in the blank for the tube - most accurate method is using drill chuck on the lathe but you can use a drill press.
3.Put glue on the outside end of the brass tube and coat rest of the tube as you insert it into the blank. Move quickly or you will have a pen tube stuck halfway into your blank. If your blank is a little longer than the tube be sure that you push the tube to the end of the blank with the mark from above to get the best grain match.
4. Let the glue sit or a few minutes or use an accelerator (sp?).
5. Use pen mill to square the end of the blank with the tube.
6. Put blanks on the mandrel using the bearings for the pen you are making.
7. Turn the blanks down to the bearings (can shape body or leave straight).
8. Sand the blanks until all tool markings are gone.
9. Apply finish of choice.
10. Assemble the pen using a pen press or other tool (can use a bench vises).

When I haven't made one in a while I sometimes forget the steps until I am actually doing them, so I hope I didn't leave anything out.

 

[clowman]

Check this out. It's a rough photo journal I took a few weeks back. They compliment Cathy's how to pretty well

The Making Of A Pen

 

[cskipper]

Clay, that was a good companion to my description. I understand needing to see what folks are talking about. This morning John and I went to see how a local woodworker makes segmented bowls. I needed him to show me his method. Now it makes sense, and will be a new adventure.

 

[JRD]

As for a Magnolia source, I just made friends with a local tree cutter. he keeps his eyes open for unusual species for me and knew I had been looking for Magnolia.

Of course it's green and needs to be dried, but small pieces like pens/pencils, dry pretty quickly.

Jim

 

[clowman]

What do you do to dry your pen blanks?