A Right Old Pigs Ear

[Garno]

Made a Celtic pen using callipers once again, I struggle so much getting the measurements of the blanks spot on

This pen is plagued with problems, one of them just makes no sense what's so ever to me.
One end of the blank is level with the tip whilst the other end goes over to one side and the other side of it into the end cap. It looks as though the end cap has moved to one side.
I have also made a complete mess of the finish as I tried once again to use CA, and basically messed up, I have now given up with using CA as a finish (Until the next time).
It's totally the wrong shape as I believe it should be more cigar looking.

So in a nutshell I have a lopsided, patchy looking wrong shaped pen, at least the twist mechanism works as it should. I think if I gave it to someone as a gift they would give it me back on my birthday.

Celtic pen.
Walnut sleeve
CA and burnishing cream finish including the patches
Length of time appx 3.5 hours

 

[flexi]

I am just sitting here trying to work out what went wrong Matey!!
To me if one end turned OK you must have done something right!!
Questions, what bushes did you use? If cones, was the blank centered correctly both ends? Which end went out of true, headstock or tail stock? Are you using a mandrel saver or rotating drive?.....
As too CA it can takes lots of practice, so switch to melamine and build your confidence...
Your actual turned finish and sanding looks good so that's another positive

 

[Bill Mooney]

Gary if your lathe has a swivel head, do a kiss test to see if the tailstock & headstock line up. To do this put a drive with a centre point in the headstock & bring your tailstock up till the points on your headstock & tailstock come together. They should be in line with each other. If they aren’t, loosen the headstock locking lever & swivel the head till the points are in line then lock the head down. Recheck to see if the points are still in line. Re-adjust if necessary.
I would buy some cheap pine & practice your techniques & measuring with callipers. Pine is cheaper than pen blanks & kits.
Join a club if there’s one near you as you will learn so much from the members.
Hope this helps.

 

[Garno]

I am just sitting here trying to work out what went wrong Matey!!
To me if one end turned OK you must have done something right!!
Questions, what bushes did you use? If cones, was the blank centered correctly both ends? Which end went out of true, headstock or tail stock? Are you using a mandrel saver or rotating drive?.....
As too CA it can takes lots of practice, so switch to melamine and build your confidence...
Your actual turned finish and sanding looks good so that's another positive

It was cones I used and as far as I could tell both ends turned the same, they were both turned to 0.525" (If I remember right I will confirm when I go back to shed tomorrow)
As to what end (headstock or tailstock) went wrong I'm afraid I cannot give a true answer as I do not know.
I guess if the blank was not sitting true on the cones that could be the reason.
I do have a mandrel saver but did not use it this time, I am going to have to use it all the time from now on.

Do you recommend any melamine and gorilla glue that you feel may help? I see lots of differing types and colours and am no closer to getting the right stuff

Gary

 

[Garno]

Gary if your lathe has a swivel head, do a kiss test to see if the tailstock & headstock line up. To do this put a drive with a centre point in the headstock & bring your tailstock up till the points on your headstock & tailstock come together. They should be in line with each other. If they aren’t, loosen the headstock locking lever & swivel the head till the points are in line then lock the head down. Recheck to see if the points are still in line. Re-adjust if necessary.
I would buy some cheap pine & practice your techniques & measuring with callipers. Pine is cheaper than pen blanks & kits.
Join a club if there’s one near you as you will learn so much from the members.
Hope this helps.

By a swivel head do you mean one that can revolve 90 degrees? if so then mine does not.
The headstock and tailstock are facing towards each other all of the time.

Gary

 

[Morse]

Gary, why not join a local wood turning club. Besides the banter they have lots of people willing to help.

Dave

 

[Garno]

Gary, why not join a local wood turning club. Besides the banter they have lots of people willing to help.

Dave

A few weeks ago I contacted the Sheffield Woodturners club Sheffield Woodturners Home and have been informed that they will not be open for the rest of this year, March April next year. That will be providing they can get enough members returning. So not looking great.

Gary

 

[flexi]

Melamine Lacquer – Chestnut Products – First for Finishes
Gorilla Glue - Incredibly Strong Original Gorilla Glue

Hopefully these will be better

 

[Bill Mooney]

By a swivel head do you mean one that can revolve 90 degrees? if so then mine does not.
The headstock and tailstock are facing towards each other all of the time.

Gary

Yours must be a fixed headstock so should be ok but still worth checking.

 

[wm460]

Have a look at No 4 Tailstock / Headstock line-up. The kiss test.

https://sokolowskistudios.com/maintain-tailstock-lathe-drill-accurate-holes/

 

[21William]

It may be worth an “autopsy” by an experienced pen turner to gain some insight as to what’s gone wrong?

 

[Penpal]

I must be in minority I can not see but a plain pen ,however by definition the suggestions seem great. One thing I did notice the joins top and bottom need a caliper mate.

Kind regaeds Peter.