showing first pen

[devonwoody]

The first pen using the Axminster 310490 kit and timber scrap Meranti from our old exterior window cills.

One hiccup, the barrel trimmer was very aggressive and the top pen section is around 1.5 mm shorter than the nib end. Next time I shall use this tool I think I will get out my old trusty electric portable drill which has a very low starting speed.

 

[Paul.J]

Looks good DW
I use my barrel trimmer in my cordless drill,it does give you more control,just watch for the brass shavings.
What finish did you apply :?:

 

[CHJ]

OK John the hooks firmly set, we'll reel you in gently for the next few weeks until you have no chance of turning back. :lol:

 

[mrs. sliver]

And so, the story begins. :lol: That's one more pen than I have made. and looking good.

 

[Blister]

The first pen using the Axminster 310490 kit and timber scrap Meranti from our old exterior window cills.

One hiccup, the barrel trimmer was very aggressive and the top pen section is around 1.5 mm shorter than the nib end. Next time I shall use this tool I think I will get out my old trusty electric portable drill which has a very low starting speed.

Devonwoody

I don't use a barrel trimmer , I just stand the barrel up against the fence on my belt sander , turn it on and slowly lower onto the belt , twisting the barrel with my fingers , it takes away the excess wood easy and you know when you have reached the brass tube as the sound changes and it stops cutting , Easy
:wink:

 

[greggy]

nice first pen dw, now you will be hooked :lol: nad as paul j says use the trimmer in your cordless.

 

[stevebuk]

looking good DW, lets see how long it is before pen No 2 appears :lol:

 

[Bodrighy]

looking good DW, lets see how long it is before pen No 2 appears :lol:

Bet he makes a box for this one first :lol:

Pete

 

[stevebuk]

Bet he makes a box for this one first :lol:

Pete

Hmm, bet he dont, will want to perfect the pen first. :wink:

 

[PowerTool]

Very nice,DW
Like the idea of it being recycled timber as well.

Andrew

 

[devonwoody]

Making some jigs first.

 

[stevebuk]

this was my first pen, it started as the wifes choping board, then i had a play. Made with beech and ebony and mahogany inlay.

 

[devonwoody]

Making some jigs first.

First Jig is something to drill those blanks out.
My drill press only drills 50mm deep but I purchased a B & D drill stand ten years ago from a car boot sale £5 and over those years it has hardly been used. So now its got a full time job.

Parts all came from the scrap box or cut up some rodding.

So getting ready for the 2nd, third etc.etc.

I have been using some bottled super glue and as you know there is very little time to get that brass tube in with that type of glue.
Never used any of that poly type stuff, so I thought I would order a bottle of Gorilla to try, any good?

Next simple jig, to get that dust off the lathe table. I had a lip surrounding the bench to hold the dust in but yesterday I cut out a section and put in a gate.

.

Next jig?

 

[devonwoody]

Had another session at the lathe and fitted up some lighting.

Then decided a white background and dust slide would be an asset, so I have fitted up this piece of white surfaced hardboard and using clips I can put up or take off a back rail as required. Also hoping that dust will slide on to the bench and stay clear of the electric motor air intake grill.

A view from the rear.

Going out to sort out the dust gate to a sliding door.

 

[Anonymous]

Good looking pen DW. Looks like you're hooked!

Never used any of that poly type stuff, so I thought I would order a bottle of Gorilla to try, any good?

I made a pen similar to stevebuk with a mahogany strip in sycamore. I used gorilla glue to hold the bits together. As I put the pen together the pieces started sliding apart. Since then I've stuck to the superglue. Will be interested to hear how you get on with the gorilla glue.

Cheers,

Dave

 

[devonwoody]

Slight modification to dust removal, the small strip of timber will now lift off table to allow dust to be removed, this way I havent got to push the sawdust away from the gate first.

 

[devonwoody]

I think I need some 7mm brass tubing for pen blanks.

I went through my timber yesterday and came across quite a few bits of useful scraps of timber around the 12mm thickness mark.

I did a practice drill piece on a bit of 12mm lacewood but didnt want to put in the brass tube after incase I wasted the timber when turning.

BTW what is the smallest width forum members reckon to work with?

Any co-operative bulk buying?
I would be prepared to join in.

 

[stevebuk]

hi DW
i have quite a few pieces of corian cut at 12mm, bought them from fleabay, and they turn out nice looking slimlines, just.
This is one i did with beads on it.

Nice modification on the dust gate, but i just hoover the dust off the top of the bench. 8)

 

[CHJ]

....I think I need some 7mm brass tubing for pen blanks.

Axminster and others do bulk packs of tubing.

A word of caution though, not all kits use the same length of tube so you must ensure that the bulk tubes are the Maximum length you are likely to require.

 

[greggy]

DW,if the reason for wanting more tubes is because you have glued them in blanks and they have been ruined, then all you have to do is put em back on the lathe and turn them back down to the tubes and re-use them, :lol: now if you do want some spare tubes give turners-retreat a ring and they will send you as many as you want, and they are not expensive. regards colin.