Alpha Fountain Pen Dressed in Snakewood

[billyb_imp]

Another Alpha from yesterday (well, more like the last 6 months), this one done in snakewood, with a CA finish. Although shown as a fountain pen, it can be converted (as can all Alpha's) to a rollerball by simply changing the nib section (like that Dan) You cant see it but a Beaufort ink converter is installed, this needs a minor adjustment to the nib end chrome connector fitting, but well worth it, added value for not much outlay.

Having had a couple of failures with snakewood with the finished pens previously looking good and then once i've gone to sleep or not looking I have found a crack has appeared in them. So this time having let the blank lay in the workshop for about 12 weeks, I carefully drilled the blanks with a newly sharpened drill bits at the slowest speed I could manage on the lathe, I let them rest again for about 4 / 5 weeks, I then glued in the tubes and again let them rest before squaring the ends off, then, you guessed, let them rest again.

So after all that resting I turned & sanded them on Monday, CA finish on tuesday & assembled yesterday so rushed it a little over the past 3 days but, fingers crossed.

 

[chas_41_uk]

Lovely looking pen Billy
After al that effort I hope it doesn't crack :pray:

 

[Buckeye]

It's gorgeous you should be okay with it, I drilled some last year and it is still in the workshop, I am in no hurry to finish it.

Peter

 

[Woody]

That a nice pen Billy well done

 

[Terry]

A great looking pen Billy. Let's hope all is well with it.

 

[AllenN]

A beautiful pen. Nice to hear that the Alpha can be modified to take the Beaufort ink converter. I assume this is just drilling out to the required diameter.

 

[billyb_imp]

A beautiful pen. Nice to hear that the Alpha can be modified to take the Beaufort ink converter. I assume this is just drilling out to the required diameter.

Yes Allen, that's all there is to it, either drill or even a round needle file will do it, its only a gnats........

When done as a fountain pen the alpha really does deserve an higher quality converter than the supplied one and Phil's "Beaufort Ink Converter" certainly fits the bill

 

[Neil Lawton]

Patience brings its own rewards Billy.
Beautiful pen.

 

[Vic Perrin]

Well done mate lovely looking pen

 

[Jim]

That is a cracking pen Billy, fingers crossed it doesn't crack my friend ..

 

[wm460]

That is a beauty Billy.

 

[Terry Q]

Very eye catching. Superb finish.

 

[Bill Mooney]

That's a very nice pen Billy. Fingers crossed.

 

[Penpal]

Beautiful Pen I love Snakewood it has a superior grain So much mystery there Billy.

Peter.

 

[Doug]

A real smasher Billy

 

[Macaronytony]

Stunning pen Billy, looks very elegant...

Sent from my Galaxy 6

 

[Scots Bill]

Aye Billy really classy. I have a wee bit of that same wood, split, but I hope to get at least part of a pen done with it. Has anyone got experience of ribbon wood, Australian I think. I have just, well nearly, turned one with that wood.

 

[Les ELm]

Good luck.

Les

 

[GeordieB]

Love it Billy fingers crossed mate I have a pool cue with snakewood butt

 

[Chrisd]

Great looking pen! Love the snakewood and I sincerely hope it doesn't split on you