first pens

[billyb_imp]

Four very nice pens there Sharpy, you can tell we where On the same course, we seem to have started by doing very similar pens and blanks

Keep email coming

 

[Woody]

I've read with interest the comments referring to the perfect pen shape. What does the perfect pen look like?

The perfect pen is the one you turn and are happy with regardless of what other people say it is your hobby your pen and you you have to please unless of course you are making them for a customer then you enter a whole new world you worry more at the moment on getting a pen that pleases you and as you progress so will your shapes happy turning

 

[Woody]

Plonckers club application accepted Woody.

Thank you kind sir they placed me just behind you

 

[Jimjam66]

Nice pens Sharpy. Oak has quite open grain, and if you use 'cheap' (read poor quality) sandpaper the grit comes off the backing paper and gets into the grain. Used to happen a lot to me ... If you have access to a compressor give the wood a good blow once you've finished sanding, or else as Brian says use some white spirit to wipe the wood clean then leave to dry for a bit before finishing. He's a tart, BTW, because the last time we had this debate he insisted he would never touch a wood pen barrel with anything wet ... Once a bike always a bike, Brian! (No I haven't forgotten that you asked Derek to marry you just days after you begged me to leave my wife for you!Hell hath no fury and all that ...)

 

[Grump]

Nice pens Sharpy. Oak has quite open grain, and if you use 'cheap' (read poor quality) sandpaper the grit comes off the backing paper and gets into the grain. Used to happen a lot to me ... If you have access to a compressor give the wood a good blow once you've finished sanding, or else as Brian says use some white spirit to wipe the wood clean then leave to dry for a bit before finishing. He's a tart, BTW, because the last time we had this debate he insisted he would never touch a wood pen barrel with anything wet ... Once a bike always a bike, Brian! (No I haven't forgotten that you asked Derek to marry you just days after you begged me to leave my wife for you!Hell hath no fury and all that ...)

Yeah but no but Yeah but no but Yeah but no but Yeah but no but Yeah but no but I say a lot of things and tell lies init?
I still love you dearly but you have to admit Derek's stuff was gorgeous init?
Anyhow I don't consider spirit to be wet cos it vaps so quick init? Not like water is it and I don't remember saying that cos I often said avoid dust wet sand too init?
Yes OK I am a tart.

 

[tommy1601]

Toolstation do a good superglue which is medium thick about £2.50 ea

 

[bellringer]

Toolstation do a good superglue which is medium thick about £2.50 ea

That 30 p more then I pay a pot

 

[Jim]

A very nice collection of pens Sharpy, within a few months you will find a way that is suitable and repeatable to how you work, but my only suggestion would be to drop the glue you mention if it is too thick, there are better alternatives out there ..

 

[silver]

I've read with interest the comments referring to the perfect pen shape. What does the perfect pen look like?

Look at your pictures Sharpy.. The perfect pen is looking at you?

All been said about the glues, if you find the titebond thick then you have answered your own questions with regards to glue. Try all the ones mentioned and you will find the one that you get on with best.

Your first pens are a great success and well turned. The shape you will perfect to like yourself and not anyone on here so make them how you feel and do your own thing, if you get a customer then that will speak volumes and give you the rubber stamp that you are doing things right.

Well done..

 

[Terry]

Nicely turned pens Sharpy. I'm not going to say anything on glues and shape as it has all been said !!!

 

[yorkshireman]

Thats a good start you've made and Sharpy and plenty of good advice too. Try different methods mate to see what suits you.

keith

 

[PhillH]

Nice pens someone seems to have taught you well.

Now throw it all away and do your own thing, you have the skills, practice and discover and enjoy it while you do.

Good on ya ! :up:

 

[Penpal]

I don't think there is such a thing. All down to personal preference. I have my own likes and dislikes but they are of no relevance to anyone else.

What's more important is good fit and finish in my opinion.



Just to play devil's advocate I have never sanded a pen tube. I have had glue failures but they have invariably been down to poor distribution of the adhesive. So sand the tubes if you want to, but it is not compulsory.

Thats an oxymoron mate poor distribution of glue can be caused by surface repelling the glue I only try to copper my bets. A pro maker devils advocate made hundreds of thousands of pens using a tight fit drill size and pressed his pens to the brass he said without failure used to buy his drills in controlled batches. Guess I am saying what ever floats your boat works for you and me. As an avid reader over thirty years on pen making the theories and conspiracy theories abound.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[Neil]

Just to play devil's advocate I have never sanded a pen tube. I have had glue failures but they have invariably been down to poor distribution of the adhesive. So sand the tubes if you want to, but it is not compulsory.

I agree Walter; where, on this issue alone should one stop, or even start? I have seen some advocate degreasing tubes, and then sanding them, some who insist wiping epoxy glue on the inside of the blank? how much further can you go? On balance all of these are a waste of time, the only satisfaction it is likely to give is that when it does go tits up and you end up with firewood you can reconcile your endeavours with the reassurance you could not have done more. And by the way, it's still firewood however good or bad you may feel.

 

[Kardav]

I think we all need to remember that there is more than one way of 'skinning a cat' and if your way works for you, and your happy with that, then that is the right way for you!

 

[Neil]

I think we all need to remember that there is more than one way of 'skinning a cat' and if your way works for you, and your happy with that, then that is the right way for you!

Dave, Neither I nor Walter said that any way is right or wrong. My point is that the effort required to go to the nth degree is disproportionate to the results, sanding the tubes, in terms of glue adhesion, cannot be wrong, but it could be a waste of time? Last year, I made over 3,000 pens and I think I can remember one or two blanks that were ruined as a result of poor glue distribution. Would it have been worth sanding all the tubes? No!

 

[Walter]

Dave, Neither I nor Walter said that any way is right or wrong. My point is that the effort required to go to the nth degree is disproportionate to the results, sanding the tubes, in terms of glue adhesion, cannot be wrong, but it could be a waste of time? Last year, I made over 3,000 pens and I think I can remember one or two blanks that were ruined as a result of poor glue distribution. Would it have been worth sanding all the tubes? No!

Couldn't have put it better Neil.

I think we all need to remember that there is more than one way of 'skinning a cat' and if your way works for you, and your happy with that, then that is the right way for you!

Yes, I think we already said that :

So sand the tubes if you want to, but it is not compulsory.

Guess I am saying what ever floats your boat works for you and me.