Jeff's Curly sycamore

[jeff...]

Cathy I'm really hesitant to let any boards go from this tree, I don't think it would dry flat. The tree was very twisted, I'm sure that's what helped the grain be so curly. Good for turning but not for lumber, I'm very sorry about that. Despite how pretty the grain is in the wood, I would hate to see one of your scroll saw masterpieces distort after it dries out, that would make me feel pretty bad. So I simply can not let any of it go for lumber, my conscience won't let me.

Thanks

 

[NZAPP1]

I can not wait to see how those pens come out :eusa_danc Nice work Dave I am hoping to post a few today from Jeff's wood:icon_thum

 

[cskipper]

Jeff, not to worry. I appreciate your honesty and integrity.

 

[jeff...]

Clay / Dave

Here are the experimental blanks, they all came out of the same slab. I still need to nuke them dry and trim them to length. First pic is @ 22.5 degrees, second is @ 45 and the third is at 90 (cross cut). At 22 and 45 the curl is not as pronounced as at 90. I really appreciate ya’ll taking part in a pen blank experiment. I'll get these off to you two guys in the next few days. I'm really curious what each cut will look like made into a pen.

Thanks

 

[clowman]

Wow.. that bottom picture is so shiny!

 

[DaveO]

Oh, oh cool!! That is very exciting. Looking at the pictures the 3rd looks the coolest, but you never know what they will look like when round. This is gonna be fun, and my wife will really think I've lost it now.....more pens :eusa_danc :eusa_danc her=:roll:
Dave

 

[jeff...]

Dave quick question - what's the min length you need for a full length pen? I've been cutting them @ 6" but have seen them as short as 5". what's the beef?

 

[DaveO]

AFAIK, most 7mm slimline tubes are ~2 1/8" long, so 2¼" would be a min. blank size per side. Factor in some saw kerf loss and 5" would be enough. BUT, many pen turners with much more talent than I, turn other styles of pens that could use longer tubes. I know that Clay uses a longer tube when he turns his slimline style without the center band. I would say for the public (to sell) 6" blanks would be a safe bet.
Dave

 

[clowman]

6" in plenty enough, probally too much. Even with longer tubes, I have a good bit left over. I'll measure the waste next time, so you can maximize your stock.

 

[dozer]

5 1/2" should be long enough to do just about any pen kit out there. Most blanks are 5 to 5 1/4" long but 5 1/2 seems to be a preferred length.

 

[jeff...]

5 1/2" should be long enough to do just about any pen kit out there. Most blanks are 5 to 5 1/4" long but 5 1/2 seems to be a preferred length.

Dozer, thanks for sharing your experience. It's not so much I want to maximize my stock. There's a lot of waste in the process of making pen blanks. If blanks don't make 6" length, I toss them in a box. The shorts box is starting to heap, so it's about time to figure out what to do with the contents.

I do have another question, what's a good length for sierra blanks, 3"?

Thanks again :-D

 

[NZAPP1]

Jeff
I am with the others 5 1/4 to 5 1/2 is the best. If you short box has some that are 5 or so I am always looking. Clay would be the best to answer the sierra question. I am looking forward to see what it is as I am planning on making some soon.

 

[dozer]

Jeff 5" blanks will work for just about every pen kit like i posted earlier but 5 1/4 would be the best. For the Sierra kits 2 1/2 " is a good length for those blanks. If you go to this site you will find pdf instructions for the most popular pen kits from the instructions you can see what size to make the blanks. This should help you with how long to make the blanks.

 

[jeff...]

Sounds like I may be doing a little over kill with 6" blanks. I haven't had any complaints - more is better I guess. I've notice most folks are posting them @ 5". Why I settled in on 6" in the first place is beyond me. Changing up to 5 1/4 is something I need to think about... But the good thing is I have a bunch of usable blanks in my shorts box.

Sounds like a Sierra is basically a 1/2 blank. That's good too, means I have even more usable blanks the shorts box.

Dozer shoot me your address via PM and I'll send you a flat rate envelope assortment of pen blanks. I really appreciate your help on this.

I think you may have forgot to include the URL though.

Thanks

 

[clowman]

I just measures a finished sierra. The finished pen is just under 2 /14, so as dozer stated, 2 1/2 is good.

 

[dozer]

I think you may have forgot to include the URL though.

Thanks

I sure did sorry about that this is where I buy almost all of my pen kits Bill is a great guy to deal with
Pen Kit Instructions

 

[jeff...]

Clay / Dave, Here's how they turned out, well squared out, 3/4" sq x 5 1/2". Honestly the 22.5 and 45 degree cuts did not fair so well in the nuke. They curled up pretty bad, the 22.5 were the worst. The 90 dried great and look the best. Trying to see if we can get the curl to spiral up the pen like a barber shop pole, which I think would be really cool. My guess is the 90 degree cut will come closest, since it gives the longest curly. But you guys look them over and tell me what you think, interested to see how they will turn out.

I'll mail them in the morning, so you should have them in a day or two.

Thanks for partaking in the experimento