Segmented Corian pen-for, Ste_5150

[John. B]

Ste, you asked for how these are put together.
this is a series of pics to explain how I do them.

This pic shows cutting an offcut into blank sized pieces.

The next shows the pieces (there is one bit missing where the nib goes you'll see that when glued)

This shows how I glue them together with medium CA glue.
It's on a V shaped piece of wood covered in cellophane. (It prevents CA sticking to the wood)

This shows them glued up (With the nib bit)

The next shows the tubes being sanded, I use 120 grit for this.
It removes the oxidized surface and gives a better surface for the glue.

This is squaring up the ends to the tube.

Drilling the hole making sure it's vertical to the drill bit.

Turning the two ends of the pen.
I use a 1/4" parting tool, a 3/8" spindle gouge, and a scraper.(A skew with wood)
I start sanding from 320 through micro mesh to 4000, then metal polish to finish.

Assembling.

Finished.

John. B

 

[DaveL]

John,

Thanks for taking the time to post the pictures.

I have yet to try turning anything but wood.

The black stripe in the white sections makes me think of licorice all sorts. 8-[

 

[John. B]

Dave,
The white, black, white stripes is a material called 'Pickguard'.
Used on guitars to protect the woodwork.

(I'm not sure if this can be put on the 'How to' section)

John. B

 

[Woodmagnet]

Excellent John, many thanks for taking the time. 8) 8) 8)

 

[Jenx]

Great Pictorial 'walk-thru' John, thats teriffic ... lovely pen as a result, too.

8) 8) 8)

 

[wizer]

Oh I really like this one John. Faith restored in alternative materials.

Good walk through. You got one of those presses in the end? I've been using my vice to satisfactory effect.

 

[John. B]

Thanks gents for your comments, Hopefully Ste will make use of it.
Yes Tom, I made some corian inserts for it. Softer than metal, harder than wood. Increased gap.

John. B

 

[stevebuk]

lovely pen John, really like that. It nice that someone does these tutorials for others to follow, and of course that they can see how much work goes into making one.

 

[boysie39]

Great walk through John B way out of my league I'm afraid. That press you have does it need to be that size,or do they come in usful for other work. It seems very heavy. Thsnks for the insight REgards Boysie.

 

[shedhead]

Nice work John, and the pen turned out tops.

 

[Turn It In]

Hi John,
What a superb finish to a great looking pen. If it makes it easier to obtain for anyone wanting to source the Pic Guard material it is known as Traffolyte and is used by engravers to produce labels by cutting through the top layer of white to produce the letters with the black centre layer.
Small offcuts should be available from most engraving companies around the country in various colours including silver and gold. Google Traffolyte sheet and have a look at the suppliers to the trade.
Thank you for the production photos,
Best regards,
Ian

 

[mikec]

Great pen John and a good photo tutorial.

Thanks

Mike C

 

[John. B]

Thanks again gents,
Ian that is a most useful piece of information. I obtained my sheet from the bay and it was relatively expensive.
Eugine, It is very heavy and no I don't really need it for pens at all.
You can use a drill press or a vice or even quick clamps but with this press you do have a great deal of fine control.
(And I also use it in my metalworking)


John. b

 

[DaveL]

Traffolyte and is used by engravers to produce labels by cutting through the top layer of white to produce the letters with the black centre layer.

Thanks for posting this, I knew I had seen stuff like that but could not remember were, it was back in the 70's when I worked for STC. It was used to label in house test gear.

 

[ste_5150]

Thanks very much John,

I just came back from a holiday so I very nearly missed this in the list of updated threads - phew!

That's a really useful walkthrough - I'm even more impressed than when I first saw the finished product!

I have a lot of things left to acquire before I can even begin turning, let alone work to this quality, but I'll be keeping this one bookmarked!

Thanks again for such a helpful, clear guide - I have a feeling there'll be quite a few people using it as well as me!!

 

[cornucopia]

great set of pics john and a very nice pen too