Hi all. I saw a thread a few days ago that basically asked if a turner could use 1/2" blanks or not. I wish I could find the thread but I don't remember who started it. I do remember though that our resident wood turner forum host Lew, answered yes you can certainly use 1/2" wide blanks, but there will not be very much room at all for any I'll say beautification, and he is correct. By the time you get the piece rounded to fit the pen correctly, there is barely enough wood or acrylic left to do anythin other than maybe a few accent lines or burn lines. Ok so now the main reason I am posting this. First here is a piece of Corian ® that I typically use to make pens with because it still is rather easy to get in samples. These samples IF YOU ARE LUCKY are about 3/4" diameter but most are 1/2".

Here is a piece of white Corian ® that I would typically use for weddings if they want a slimline to write in the guest book with.

And here is a pen I made with the Red Corian ® Which I hear now is extremely hard to get. If anyone knows where to get any more PLEASE contact me because I do get enquiries about it now ad then.
I recently gave it to a friend of mine that does aid work for the elderly/disabled. so that she can wipe the pen down if she needs to and not have any problems like blood soaking into wood..yet make the pen still look like I just gave it to her.

Anyway I thought I would show some of my experiences with 1/2" blanks. Thanks for looking!

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host

nicholls61@att.net

Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA



http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

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Charles Nicholls
Site Host

nicholls61@att.net

Proud supporter of The Wounded Warrior Project, Homes For Our Troops and the NRA



http://www.etsy.com/shop/nichollswoodworks

Nice shape on that red Corian pen, Charles.

Never had given a thought to the "sanitary" aspect of a pen, but, it makes sense and there might be a market for custom turned pens specifically aimed at the health care field.

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!

Thanks Lew. I had hoped that there would be Lew and there probably is, I just need to get more made and get them out there. The bad part about these types of pens is that when you press the mechanism into the tube, more often than not, it will split the Corian. I had to learn a really soft touch when it came to pressing those things in
 
Lewis Kauffman said:

Nice shape on that red Corian pen, Charles.

Never had given a thought to the "sanitary" aspect of a pen, but, it makes sense and there might be a market for custom turned pens specifically aimed at the health care field.

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Lew Kauffman-
Wood Turners Forum Host

Time Traveler and Purveyor of the Universe's Finest Custom Rolling Pins!