Super glue?

[andersonec]

Isn't spray Lacquer any good?

Andy

 

[loz]

Isn't spray Lacquer any good?

Andy

Yep - and if burnished well - can give a very good glass finsh, durability though im not sure.

 

[woodyturner]

Spray Lacquer is fine depending on the quality and how many coats you put on use a good quality lacquer and apply at least 4-6 coats over sanding sealer with woodturners stick over the whole thing and the pen will last you for years if treated right

 

[CHJ]

.....eg
a plane, might traverse only several feet of wood and be done with , a skew chisel might traverse several hundreds of feet of wood in a few minutes due to the rotation of the wood, - im sure some maths can give you the idea, rotation and the dia of the blank over time ( wheres chas ! )

i might sharpen several times in an hour the same tool dependant on what im doing.
.

I did put this guide to peripheral speed of the turning together as a guide to show what forces are involved.

As you can see it is based on a cutting speed of 26ft per. sec. it does put into perspective the relative wear load on a turning tool, akin to a bench plane doing over a 520 yds in a minute.

Not that I can ever remember referring to it, I just tweak the speed to the sound and feel of the cut.

 

[Jensmith]

Have you considered drilling your blanks on your lathe? It is far more accurate than using a drill press if you have a drill chuck for the tailstock and a chuck for holding the blank. You just need to make sure you drill from the center of the blank out as the center of the pen needs to have a grain match.

Also drill on a slow speed - 500 rpm and remove the drill frequently to clear the chips. Colt drills are expensive but very good.

 

[Peggy]

Jensmith, I'm getting a drill press with my grant so I'll have to stick with that, but thank you for the idea.

Andy, regarding the spray lacqure, Ive more or less decided I will use oil. I'm going to order some and see how I get on with it.

 

[Jensmith]

Peggy- just be mindful that the drill will wonder, following the grain, so you may not exit in the middle. It depends on the wood but just make sure you have enough width on your blank to allow for this. Had it happen to me quite a bit using a drill press.

Also, clear the chips frequently because when the drill gets hot it starts screaming. Not pleasant on the ears, even with ear defenders!

 

[woodyturner]

I'm sorry gentlemen I have to disagree with you on this one, I only ever drill my blanks on a pillar drill and used in the correct manner they will never wander and it is far quicker than drilling on a lathe it is a very basic woodworking skill you don't see a carpenter drilling wood on a lathe

 

[CHJ]

Inappropriate selection of drill type, grinding and clearance angle and most importantly lack of sharpness may all lead to drill wander regardless as to how the blank is held.

It is essential though that you have the blank held in line with the drill axis, although this is likely to be automatic on a quality wood lathe fitted with a good chuck, many budget lathes (and some not so cheap) do not have the tail stock quill in line with the headstock spindle.

No problem for between centres turning but disastrous for drilling or boring.

 

[loz]

Sharp drill bits, and a pilot hole if necessary on larger dia requirements.

 

[Peggy]

Thank you for your advice everyone. I'll post a photo when I've made my first decent pen.