2nd Set of pens (Continentals - after forum suggestion)

[Paul]

Evening

Well my second set ever are done and shown in order,

Purple Heart has some nics in it as I tried the skew chisel - perhaps another time....

Pink Ivory is surprising mild in it's colour.

(the kids picked these colours as they want a pen for Christmas)

I was really pleasantly surprised with the Cococbolo. I think it's my new pen.

I sanded with the lathe off - along the grain as woody suggested and it's such a difference.

 

[Grump]

A good try there Paul but the belts are on upside down on the top and bottom pens, the finish is improving muchly.

 

[Paul]

Ah blast, I should read the instructions then! I did puzzle that one and then just copied the layout from a picture in the forum.... oops - thank you

There you go Paul spalted beech pencil Cocobolo ball point pen and a rollerball pen they also do a F/P and they are all over 10 years old
View attachment 2650 View attachment 2651

 

[rowdyyates115]

Getting there Paul, Woody's tips are great.

I fully understand the trouble you can get into with the skew.... keep trying and practice on scrap wood (keep it sharp) don't give up...

 

[edlea]

Good effort Paul..you sure are getting there.

 

[Doug]

You're certainly getting there Paul, good effort

 

[Terry]

Keep it up Paul you are getting there. Remember God loves a trier!!!!!!!

 

[Jimjam66]

Coming along nicely Paul. Save these photos - when you have a few hundre more pens under your belt they will be a nice reminder of where you've come from.

Remember God loves a trier!!!!!!!

Keep telling yourself that, Terry ... Oh, and when Jackie says you're very trying that's not what she means!

 

[Buckeye]

That is a nice trio of pens, well done.

Peter

 

[Paul]

Thanks gents. Could I ask what needs to be improved technically? Joints or shape etc...or all. Thank you

 

[Neil]

Paul,

I have in front of me three or four pens that I made when I first started out and yours are infintiely superior. If I was to make any suggestions I would make a recommendation on the shape of the lower barrel, I try and but a belly in the curve so that there is a more continuous flow between nib and barrel, not only does it look better but it helps to hide, to the fingers, the interface between metal and wood. My guess is that you have also cut the tenon on the upper barrel before you have sanded it. The logic behind this is that the edges are slightly rounded off, visually exacerbated by, as Brian has pointed out, that some of the centre bands are upside down. I sand with the grain and then with a freshly sharpened 3mm parting tool cut the tenon in one go, no tentative cuts as you will end up with a stepped edge.

 

[Neil]

Cocobolo, - its the new Bocote!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Paul]

Paul,

I have in front of me three or four pens that I made when I first started out and yours are infintiely superior.

Thank you very much, and that just inspires me to keep putting the time and effort in.

If I was to make any suggestions I would make a recommendation on the shape of the lower barrel, I try and but a belly in the curve so that there is a more continuous flow between nib and barrel, not only does it look better but it helps to hide, to the fingers, the interface between metal and wood.

Thank you, I think I saw one on a slimline yesterday, cocobolo with gunmetal, and I can see how that makes the eye flow.

My guess is that you have also cut the tenon on the upper barrel before you have sanded it. The logic behind this is that the edges are slightly rounded off, visually exacerbated by, as Brian has pointed out, that some of the centre bands are upside down. I sand with the grain and then with a freshly sharpened 3mm parting tool cut the tenon in one go, no tentative cuts as you will end up with a stepped edge.

You are spot on, that's exactly what I did. Both sanded later, and with a few cuts. I've turned the band around and it is sharper, but of course it makes sense as you recommend.

Many many thanks.

 

[bluntchisel]

Nice work, Paul - love that cocobolo! And don't worry about the centre bands - it's only us pen-turners that'll notice!
Bob.

 

[Gav]

Great work Paul, and keep going, practice and practice!

The tips here are great, and you'll learn a lot as everyone is constructive and friendly!

As a newbie myself, I'd say don't be afraid to try anything, and try turning different things too, either between centers or a bowl or box, it all helps with your chisel work.

Plus, sharpening, there are a million and one ways to sharpen a chisel, and no one is better than the other, but find a system you are comfortable with and keep those chisels sharp!

Like Neil I have a shelf of 'practice' pens that remind me of how far I've come, and yours would put mine to shame!

Oh, and remember, what we see as the creator does not transfer to the eye of the recipient, what we see as a flaw or mistake will never be picked up by non-pen turners, as they will be thrilled with such a lovely gift/purchase!

Gav

 

[silver]

Well done Paul..

You are looking much better and agree with all previous comments.

Te Euro (continental) are a good pen to get right, once you have achieved that the other pens start to look easier and simpler to get right..

Stick with it and take on board the comments and you will do well, and remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Others will se it as a masterpiece and love everything about them.

We are our worst critic and the result is a box full of pens we think should be in the bin..

Keep it up..

 

[Woody]

Wow Paul what an improvement bloody well done keep going make you will be showing us old un's how its done soon as time progresses you will find your own way of doing things as has been said about cutting your tenon good tip but the only problem I can see you may have as a newbie is wood tear-out from the maybe not so sharp parting tool and the thing is ruined some bushes have a bush that fits over the tenon if you have one of them or a sacrificial centre band then turn your tenon to a tight fit put the bush / centre band over the tenon then sand then the step wont get rounded of then hope that make sense and is of help to you happy turning
Also have a look at how Ed done his euro by making the lower barrel a bit fatter http://www.penturners.co.uk/turning-pens/2274-first-try-fatterning-up-euro.html

 

[Woody]

Paul if you need any spare Euro centre bands PM me your address and I will send you some that I have left over which I don't need

 

[MarkW]

I hated the skew, so got myself a couple of chunks of 4" square pine and basically shaved it down to nothing using just the skew. Keep going it will definitely get easier and +1 on keeping it sharp.

 

[Paul]

as has been said about cutting your tenon good tip but the only problem I can see you may have as a newbie is wood tear-out from the maybe not so sharp parting tool and the thing is ruined .

Thanks for the tip, I've got the Solby pro edge - but not sure on how often to sharpen - (clearly a contender for plonker here as surely the answer is "before it's blunt")

"some bushes have a bush that fits over the tenon if you have one of them or a sacrificial centre band then turn your tenon to a tight fit put the bush / centre band over the tenon then sand then the step wont get rounded of then hope that make sense and is of help to you"

Yes, I have the axeminister brushings and realised on the third pen, that once I match the big bit to the wider part I could sliding it over to check the depth is right!

but then I can remember leaving it off the tenon, :doh:

Also have a look at how Ed done his euro by making the lower barrel a bit fatter http://www.penturners.co.uk/turning-pens/2274-first-try-fatterning-up-euro.html

Yes I saw that and I am keen to have a go and follow his lead.