As a newbee am I trying to be to ambitious???

[Tom.1946]

With a bit of help I completed my first pen so I am hoping to start my next.
I have a pale blank., however I have came across some thin cutting of walnut.
Am I being to ambitious to cut my blank in half the long way and insert two or
three pieces of th the walnut and superfluid them together in order to give me
a straight line down the pen when I turn it. Think Celtic knot is far to ambitious
at present?
As I have been told that can only learn by your mistakes!

Tom

 

[Garno]

Personally Tom if I were in your shoes I would turn a few more pens first.
Once you have mastered the art then move on to the more ambitious stuff.
Saying that, if segmenting is something you want to do and you think you will enjoy it, then go for it Only do what you think you will enjoy, no one has the definitive answer.

The very best of luck to whatever route you decide to take

Have you posted a photo of the completed pen? I would love to see it, as I do with everyone else's.

Gary

 

[alan morrison]

Tom, I would say to go ahead and segment the blank whatever way that you want. Make sure that it is square. drill it and turn it. It doesnt have to end up as a pen unless you are happy with it. If you are not happy you can always turn it off again and try again, so nothing lost.
The thing about segmenting is that you need accuracy drilling down the centre of the blank and you will find out how accurate your drilling is when you turn it.
My advice is always to get a few tubes and practice on them. have a close look at the turned result and see where you could improve. Turn it off and try to make it better.
Then you will be doing celtic knots in no time.
Alan

 

[Padster]

Tom, The most recent pen I posted was my first attempt creating my own blank, you will have your own methods, but I simply took workshop cut-offs, got smooth surfaces by using the sander, red titebond glue smeared and rub together across the surfaces, then clamped overnight, squared off and sanded, then as Alan says carefully drilled for the tube and turned - it wasn't perfect but as attempt 1 I'm happy.

Padster

 

[howsitwork?]

Make sure you let your glue ( whatever type ) fully cure before drilling , mounting and turning. When drilling try to ensure you go slowly with frequent removals to clear chips so there’s no sidewards pressure from the chips to explode the blank

 

[Tom.1946]

Got first pen done but cat figure out how to post photos???

 

[Garno]

Got first pen done but cat figure out how to post photos???

I replied to your PM a few days ago explaining how to post photo's, here is the message again in case you missed it.


Hi Tom,

There is a couple of ways, when you make a new thread (new post) if you scroll down you will see a manage attachments box, if you click on this a small window pops up. On the left of the pop up near to the top you will see 3 choose files (I think it is called that but as soon as you see it you will know) Click on the top one and navigate to the image you want to upload. When you have added upto 3 scroll down and click the upload button, that will then upload the 3 images you have chosen. It will then let you choose an additional 3. Once you have uploaded all you want click on the submit button. Once done click on the close window button at the bottom of the pop up page. Now scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on submit thread and there you have it.
Once you have done it a couple of times it gets easier.

I hope this helps

Take care
Gary