SDB777
I find unique timber and cut it up
Started with an idea, and then that didn't work, so I decided to think a little differently. You see I tend to make pens using only one kind of timber.... For this project I used:
That's right! A Pine cone and a piece of Cedar, Afghan Pine Cone and Eastern Red Cedar crotch with some sapwood. The pine cones can be 'not-so-much-fun' to work with and require a good amount of thinCA during the turning to keep them from disassembling themselves, but the cedar is a dream to turn and sands nicely. The secret(if, it can even be considered a secret) is too get some BLO on it before doing a CA finish(I think it helps to keep the clouding to a minimum)YMMV.
So what does this combination make? Makes a pretty nice fountain pen that has the body closed at one end! Used pieces from the Baron Upgraded Gold kit for the hardware. Turned the cap between centers without bushings(just set the calipers at .533"). Turned the body on a pin chuck that was made by Rick Herrell(IAP guy).
The finish on the cap is 3 coats of thinCA with another 8 coats of mediumCA, wet sanded through 12K with the pretty pads, spun up with some PlastixPolish and followed by a coat of Carnauba wax(keeps the finger prints under control somewhat). The body received 3 coats on thinCA with another 7 coats of thickCA, and then the same process above to complete.
Total time: 3hrs45mins
Of course, the box I sent was stuffed with additional goodies from the wife's PR swirly collection and some of the timber that I have cut locally here. Hopefully, everyone has enjoyed the write-up of the process and the photo's I took to help show the process? I know I enjoyed making it!
Thanks for looking!
Scott (still got CA on me from that pine cone) B
That's right! A Pine cone and a piece of Cedar, Afghan Pine Cone and Eastern Red Cedar crotch with some sapwood. The pine cones can be 'not-so-much-fun' to work with and require a good amount of thinCA during the turning to keep them from disassembling themselves, but the cedar is a dream to turn and sands nicely. The secret(if, it can even be considered a secret) is too get some BLO on it before doing a CA finish(I think it helps to keep the clouding to a minimum)YMMV.
So what does this combination make? Makes a pretty nice fountain pen that has the body closed at one end! Used pieces from the Baron Upgraded Gold kit for the hardware. Turned the cap between centers without bushings(just set the calipers at .533"). Turned the body on a pin chuck that was made by Rick Herrell(IAP guy).
The finish on the cap is 3 coats of thinCA with another 8 coats of mediumCA, wet sanded through 12K with the pretty pads, spun up with some PlastixPolish and followed by a coat of Carnauba wax(keeps the finger prints under control somewhat). The body received 3 coats on thinCA with another 7 coats of thickCA, and then the same process above to complete.
Total time: 3hrs45mins
Of course, the box I sent was stuffed with additional goodies from the wife's PR swirly collection and some of the timber that I have cut locally here. Hopefully, everyone has enjoyed the write-up of the process and the photo's I took to help show the process? I know I enjoyed making it!
Thanks for looking!
Scott (still got CA on me from that pine cone) B