Masur Birch pens x 4

[Neil Dyball]

Hi,

Originaly posted this on another thread but didn't intend to 'hijack' it so thought I'd best post it seperately.

Out of a discussion of elm pen blanks I ended up talking to Wizer about Masur Birch pen blanks. I was fortunate enough to get hold of a few and have a spare that I'm passing on to Wizer as he's keen to make one for himself.

Anyway, seeing as I've never posted any photo's before I thought I'd give it a go (thanks to TEP for the tutorial). A colleague asked if I'd make him a Big Ben & Slimline Masur Birch for him and his wife, below are the results of today's turning. The 'top' slimline is really unusual, almost a Masur Birch burr by the looks of it!

Wizer, hopefully yours will be similar! Looking forward to a photo eventually.









Cheers,

Neil.

 

[SVB]

These look really lovely.

What finish did you use?

The larger ones look as if they have a 'wave' type of profile or is this a trick of the camera?

BRgds

 

[Neil Dyball]

Hi SVB,

Thanks.

The finish is four coats of CA/BLO (superglue/boiled linseed oil), one of friction polish and one of Renaissance wax.

The 'wave' effect is just pixellation of the digital camera, I'm a worse photographer than I am turner, they are virtually smooth.

Cheers,

Neil.

 

[TEP]

Never seen Masur Birch used on such a small subject before Neil. Normally you can lose the figure of the wood on pens but these look great. Almost encouraged me to look around for some, that's not a hint by the way. :lol:

What's it like to work this on pens, usually Masur Birch is a bit on the soft side?

 

[stewart]

Very nice indeed - love the masur birch.

 

[greggy]

neil, them cigar pens ( big ben ) look great in the masur burl. its lovely stuff for pens. did you put blo on first ? i did one last year on a gents pen and sold it within 6 hours. thanks for showing them, you did a great job.

 

[Neil Dyball]

Guys,

thanks for the comments/questions, I don't normally post pictures here or indeed take my 'stuff' to the woodturning club I belong too.

Regarding specific questions;

TEP, this wasn't at all soft, in fact all the half dozen I've made in Masur have been solid dry timber, much like a 'normal' birch in fact.

Greggy, yes a little BLO followed by a couple of drops of CA (superglue), polished off and repeated four times. Then other finishes on top.

Cheers,

Neil.

 

[Jenx]

Really nice pens Neil ....
very unusual looking ! in a teriffic way I mean ...
Were the recipients chuffed to bits ? 8) 8) 8)

 

[greggy]

Greggy, yes a little BLO followed by a couple of drops of CA (superglue), polished off and repeated four times. Then other finishes on top.

Cheers,

Neil.

i thought so. the blo makes the blanks grain pop.

 

[wizer]

Hi Neil those pens look lovely. I can't wait to have a play with some Massur. Thanks very much for letting me buy a piece from you. I know I'm going to be scouring timber suppliers for bowl sized blanks soon!

I wonder if the Wood Whisperer's method of 'popping the grain' would work on this stuff. For those who have not seen it. He applys a single coat of a stain and then sands it off. The grain pattern holds on to the stain to really make it 'pop'. Tempted to try it on this bit.

 

[SVB]

I have not come across using CA as a finish. Would I be correct in assuming it is done to provide wear resistance in use?

How is it actually applied?

BRgds
Simon

 

[greggy]

simon, you are right. out of all the finishes for wood. you cant beat ca.
it not only makes your wood shine like glass but the coats you put on are very long lasting, sanding sealer, and waxes put i nice shine on it , but it will not last due to the oils in your skin. i put mine on like this,,
after sanding to 12000 grit with micromesh, i apply one coat of blo.
i then get some kitchen roll ( 1 piece ) and fold it in 1/2 then 1/2 again untill its about 1 inch wide ( like a ruler ) i apply 3 drops of ca on the end of the kitchen roll and rub it across the blank 2-3 times. squirt with ca activator and repeat 6-10 times. then i wet sand with micromesh up to 12000. then i put one coat of rennaissiance wax just to repell finger prints.
its easier to do than write it

 

[Neil Dyball]

Glad you like the photo's guys.

Further to your comments/questions....


Jenx; two of the pens are going to a work colleague tomorrow, I hope he'll be pleased with them, the other two are yet to find a new home! SWMBO did have her eye on the 'top' slimline but she's in danger of collectiong pens like shoes!

Wizer, I found one highly figured piece for you, similar to those above. I've also got another few pieces which are less striking - you can have one of those a a 'bonus' If you're going to try experimenting I would try it on the second one! Not sure how much you're paying for a bowl blank, I've never seen such a thing, a 8" x 4" log costs about £45 from memory.

SVB, as Greggy said, yes it's for durability but also for a high shine finish when polished to 12000 with micromesh. 'My' method is similiar to Greggy, micromesh to 12000, then a couple of drops of BLO wiped across the blank at medium lathe speed followed immediately by a drop or two of CA wiped back and forth a few times. Check the finish and if necessary cut back to smooth (with practice this is rarely required). Repeat the BLO/CA a further 3 times (generally) then apply friction polish and finally Renaissance wax. Stand back and admire!

Cheers all,

Neil.

 

[Neil Dyball]

Hi,

Just occured to me with the discussion of CA/BLO finishing technique that I should point out the 'potential' hazards. Apart from sticking body parts together with CA (have some debonder handy) the reaction does produce some rather pungent and possibly unpleasant fumes. I'm assuming, but don't know for sure, that some compound of cyanide could be involved as CA is CYANoacrylate. Anyway, always make sure you work in a well ventilated area when using this method, common sense applies!

Safe turning,

Neil.

 

[Vulthoom]

I'm assuming, but don't know for sure, that some compound of cyanide could be involved as CA is CYANoacrylate.

Cyanoacrylate is quite volatile and the fumes are just the compound in its gaseous form.
The fumes are very irritating to the eyes, throat and any other sensitive
areas which are "moist".

Can be very nasty, especially if you are particulary allergic to it but otherwise not actually toxic.

So what I'm waffling to say is that it could kill you but won't poison you....

 

[Vulthoom]

Neil,

Apologies, I rudely forgot to comment on the lovely pens.

The masur birch is superb.

I was looking hopefully at some online yesterday.
I was thinking of using it making a wooden sheath for a Finnish knife I have.
Then I saw the price for a small log was £136.00 and reconsidered! :shock:

 

[Neil Dyball]

Hi Vulthoom,

Thanks for the info on CA, and the compliment.

Stiles & Bates had some small logs recently, 4" x 19" = 4.2kg = £42.96 upto 8" x 23" = 13.3kg = £136.35, so not cheap!!!!! I haven't dared (and can't afford to) turn anything bigger than a pen at that kind of price.

Cheers,

Neil.