Finishes for wooden pens

[Walter]

OK time for some facts:

Shellac (French polish) has zero tolerance to liquids.

Melamine lacquer is (very) water resistant.

Acrylic lacquer is waterproof.

 

[Bill Mooney]

I can't believe that burnishing with the shavings hasn't been mentioned, or did I miss it?
It can make a big difference regardless of final finish.

I do this on my turnings but consider it part of the making, not of the finishing. This is why I didn't mention it as the thread is about finishes Neil.

 

[Phil Dart]

I'm with Bill

 

[TK woodman]

If you want a pen without the feel of natural wood then buy a Bic - If you want to stir your tea use a spoon

 

[Bucks]

THANKS for the info Walter,
I've only been turning pens for about 9 months (120 odd so far) after seeing some of Phils posts, I moved from using friction polish to using Melamine lacquer on most of my wooden pens a couple of weeks ago, unless I want the glass like feel & look then I use CA

 

[Scots Bill]

Hi Pierre, what on earth is azobe?

 

[Walter]

If you want a pen without the feel of natural wood then buy a Bic - If you want to stir your tea use a spoon

Interesting advice. Wooden spoons are usually left without a finish.

 

[Pierre]

Hi Pierre, what on earth is azobe?

Ekki | The Wood Database - Lumber Identification (Hardwoods) here you go Azobe is the name that I learned when I made things out of it, there is a lot of it around if you can afford it Reclaimed Untreated Railway Sleepers | Buy Untreated Reclaimed Tropical Azobe Hardwood Sleepers Online | UK Sleepers but imagine trying to get those through your band saw, plus its so hard that I have to resharpen all of my tools several times whilst working it including my planer/thicknesser.

PG

 

[Scots Bill]

Thanks Pierre, I learn something new every day, trouble is remembering it, think sleepers were also made of Jarrah, it was shipped over here by the shipload, for sleepers, and fence posts I have a lump but it is full of cracks presumably from the constant weight of trains rumbling over.

 

[hawkeyefxr]

I think the price of the sleeper is relativity cheap, can you imagine how many blanks you would get out of a sleeper ! It would knock hell out of a chain saw.

 

[Penpal]

Nothing wrong with buying new sleepers , less problems, these days with special blades cutting problems are solved. Me I prefer using what I have and know. Must be getting Older and wiser at last.

Peter.

 

[cookie21]

what have sleepers got to do with "finishes for wooden pens"

 

[Scots Bill]

Well Barry after all the coming and going on the finishing theme, we are all becoming sleepers! Only joking, some very interesting finishing hints on here. I must try Walters way, think Woody uses it also?

 

[chas_41_uk]

I started off finishing my pens with friction polish. It has it's place.
I've also used CA with mixed results.
I have been using acrylic lacquer for the last 9 - 12 months and find it to be the best I have tried.

 

[Walter]

what have sleepers got to do with "finishes for wooden pens"

Just a little off topic digression Barry. Anyway, azobe is a good wood for making pens.

I started off finishing my pens with friction polish. It has it's place.

Yes, and I know what that place is. ROFLMAO

 

[cookie21]

I have found this a really interesting thread thank you Walter, good to hear so many views & ideas on finishing, one day the perfect pen finish will come along but I'm not holding my breath

 

[Simone]

Well there you have it :)
I have been contemplating a move from CA lately. After reading this very informative discussion i will be giving Acrylic Lacquer a try.

 

[hawkeyefxr]

Well there you have it :)
I have been contemplating a move from CA lately. After reading this very informative discussion i will be giving Acrylic Lacquer a try.

I will be giving it a go as well.

 

[bigbob]

Very interesting thread will try lacquer too and have a go to try perfecting finish with Melamine also my sanding technique requires refining

 

[Penpal]

The guy who made countless thousands of pens here in Australia glued in his pens with CA finished with CA, his upmarket sales were astounding.His one man output was outstanding with quality results. Just saying he developed a formula that worked for him used the very best of timbers,Carver and Aeroplane builder and flyer, all round good guy. Just saying.

Peter.