Another Pen to give a 3rd go

[AndrewB]

Either way with all of the information I've gathered about pen turning, watching quite a few youtube videos on basics and assembly, I think I'm at the point where I can get a functional pen made.  I was out in the shed this morning I got the pen barrels turned out sanded and 1st coat of stain on in less than an hour and a half.  Which is pretty good considering.  I'm doing this one as a test run since I'm out of brass inserts and parts which are on order but wont be here for a week or so.  I think my main goal is to stick with this for now until I can accomplish the task of getting this right.

[AndrewB]

What’s the old saying 3rd times a charm??  Well after turning this morning sanding and polishing and assembling the pen has a couple of small cracks in it.  Not to big of a deal but the simple fact that the pen is functioning is quite rewarding.  I still need to work on getting things evened out better the pen is made up of two different pieces from two different blanks.

[lew]

Alright!!

[Gunny]

4 hours ago, AndrewB said:

What’s the old saying 3rd times a charm??  Well after turning this morning sanding and polishing and assembling the pen has a couple of small cracks in it.  Not to big of a deal but the simple fact that the pen is functioning is quite rewarding.  I still need to work on getting things evened out better the pen is made up of two different pieces from two different blanks.

 

 

A good working first pen.  In picture below I pointed out a common occurrence in people's early attempts.   This is more for others that might look to this thread for tips.  I point this out because if you take a look at the cross section of a pen you will see the wood is very thin.  Thin is not your friend here.  So if it is thin already and the shape gets thinner in the middle the risk of pen failure is greater. 

 

Keep this pen, don't give away.  In fact keep it in the shop.  A visual reminder and a quick reference for you.  Helps in the beginning.  As far as mismatched pens, so what?   I am not past putting say purpleheart on the top and walnut on the bottom.  Or laminating a piece, even a Celtic Cross for those who really want to have that wow factor.  

 

 

    

[AndrewB]

As I said NEEDS PRACTICE.

[AndrewB]

I'm kinda feelin dumb.  I guess this means I'm going to be leaving the chuck set up in the pen jaw configuration for pen blank drilling.  I decided to take off the lathe extension bed on my lathe for the time being so I could focus on pens for now.  In the end I was trying to get another blank made up for when my materials arrive which is somewhat of a pain because they wont be here until around the 11th of all dates.  Wish it was sooner.  I decided to go ahead and prep a blank.  I used the lathe for the drilling and it does far far far better then the drill press and less havoc.  I did unfortunately round out my boring bit so I'm going to have to get a new one.  Not even sure how I did that one.  Either way..... Drilling on the lathe from now on.

[lew]

IMHO it's the only way to drill pen blanks. But then I own a really crappy drill press.

[AndrewB]

5 minutes ago, lew said:

IMHO it's the only way to drill pen blanks. But then I own a really crappy drill press.

If it makes you feel any better I bet mine is crappier LOL LOL its the https://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-5-speed-bench-drill-press-60238.html.  

 

Its been a good drill press for easier things.  But I think I am starting to agree with you on the lathe drilling its the way to go.  Just gotta find a better way to put the pens together I've got a press that I'm planning on purchasing its not an expensive one, I will probably pick that up here before the end of the month.ama

 

This is the one that I am currently looking at buying.  As I said in expensive but for me it will work.  I just need to be able to put pieces together rather inside the house than out in my messy shed.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VI2CTK/?coliid=I1BPBSIXOAABOX&colid=JHVHTKURXUVA&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

I've also got on order extra brass insert tubes and twist tops as well as pen refills to put in got both black and blue.  At least if I get good enough at the pen turning they will make pretty nice christmas gifts at least.  As well as about 18 different types of wood pen blanks on the way again from CookWoods,  at least I can get those for a dollar or less and the more expensive ones are no more than 5 bucks a piece for the pen blanks.

Edited August 2, 2020 by AndrewB

[lew]

Actually you can assemble pens with one of these, and a bit cheaper, too

 

https://www.amazon.com/IRWINQUICK-GRIPOne-Handed-Bar-Clamp-Medium-Duty-1964718/dp/B001DK7SJM/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7sj03Nr96gIVUuDICh12XgzGEAAYASAAEgLz_PD_BwE&hvadid=153674533421&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1024729&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=14214496290019147939&hvtargid=kwd-117055216&hydadcr=1613_9512354&keywords=quick+grip+clamps&qid=1596412173&sr=8-5&tag=googhydr-20

[AndrewB]

fair enough that is cheaper lol I actually need one of those.

[FlGatorwood]

Or, if you own a Shopsmith, you can set up the table in horizontal boring and use the quill to press the parts together.  But, if you don't have one, those Irwin clamps work very well.  

[Larry Cutlip]

You can also use the lathe to press together. With some wood pieces you can use drill press.