On another forum I participate in there is a activity called Pen In The Hat (PITH).  Basically it's a pen swap.  I make a pen and send it to a member.  Another member makes a pen and sends it to me.  This spring's theme was construction lumber.  Pine to be exact. 

 

My pen is made from base board removed from my grandparents house during a 2009 remodel by my niece.  She is a great granddaughter.  The house was built in the 20s using locally harvested timber.  My grandparents, my parents, my sister, my wife and I, a great grandson, and now a great granddaughter have all called it home. 

 

The wood was cut on a bias.  I started out with a crosscut piece.  It shed big chunks during turning.  I cut a blank at 45.  Big chunks out of it also.  I started increasing the angle until I got one to turn.  I didn't measure the angle, but I can saw more from the piece I have left.  I may try and stabilize a cross cut piece and spin it again.

 

The finish is 10 coats of thin CA, plastic polish and Kiwi neutral polish.  the kit is a Wall Street II button click in black titanium.

 

What a wonderful idea Greg! And your pen is reeeeally nice!

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John Morris

beautiful; pen Greg, Nice job.

Cool story. I like that pen!

 

-Ace-

Beautiful pen.  Now that is recyling at its finest!

That is a great looking pen Greg. Great story to go with the pen. I have turned a few zebra wood pens cut that way and you are so right about the chunks coming off. I have an order for one a few weeks back and I had to turn on end of it three time before I got one that stayed together.

 

I love the color of that wood finished out like that. It almost has that honey maple color to it. The finish is excellent. It has that good depth to it. Very nice, makes you want to touch it.

Wow cool story and a very cool pen.

Thank you all for your kind comments.  I absolutely love to craft a pen with wood that has a story.  I guess all wood has some sort of story, and we as woodworkers are the ghost writers.

I like the Black TN with the bright yellow of the pine. Great Contrast. I can imagine that a CA finish is about the only thing that would keep the pine from developing massive dents after a while.

Gorgeous!!