My closed end - C&C requested

[Gizmo3k]

My closed end pen entry

Well, turning my closed end pen was a fun challenge, which I will probably try again some day!

I don't have a closed end mandrel, so used the method Grump posted a while ago with a longer bit of wood, turning the body then parting it off.

My first attempt didn't go well, it was a test piece out of some holly i had lying around. Unfortunately the wood was a little bit short, and I accidentally parted the end off into the hole :nonono:

Never mind, the second attempt was from a longer bit of wood, I am not good at wood identification but I have been told it is cherry. It turned really nicely, and an inclusion appeared right in the middle of the cap, which was nice! there was some lovely dark grain running up the length of the pen too, which was nice

I finished it with spray lacquer (another first), but I think I need to work on that finish a bit more.

This pen has turned into my 'at work' pen, it is nice to get comments on it there!

Let me know any thoughts on the pen, anything I could do better, or if you just plain didn't like it! :wink:

Thanks

Alan

 

[brody2123]

Well Alan, you did better than me. I didn't have the time to even make one. Although I will be looking at all of the entries. I like the balance of yours, it doesn't look like two different halves of two pens and the inclusion gives it a beautiful look. The finish is also good. I use spray lacquer finish sometimes and although it takes a bit longer to do, it's well worth it.

 

[Buckeye]

I don't know if there is anything you could do better, you could do things differently, but I don't think that is the same as better.

Peter

 

[Woody]

I think for your first that is an excellent pen bloody well done look forward to seeing number two

 

[Twister]

Hi Alan

not much input sorry...mine didnt get a placing either
I particularly like that wood..very nice
the picture does make it look slightly podgy at the closed end

Steve

 

[wm460]

Great effort, I must agree about the shape.

 

[stevenw1963]

Alan, nowt wrong with it, cracking 1st attempt & better than mine as I haven't done one yet so I take my hat off to you.

 

[chas_41_uk]

I don't know if there is anything you could do better, you could do things differently, but I don't think that is the same as better

I'd agree with what Peter has said
Personally I like the wood, it's well turned and finished. If anything it is a bit too fat for my taste. Different not better :wink:
And we all have different tastes

 

[Gizmo3k]

It is definitely fat! It is pretty much a straight taper out to the end.

I liked the wood too. A fair amount of variation in it, which I suppose I didn't really capture in the picture very well, that is definitely something I need to work on!

 

[Jim]

Alan, the pen is very well made, and for a first attempt you certainly got it right regarding shape and finish ..

 

[Gizmo3k]

Just had a quick measure. The end of the pen at its widest is a whopping 16mm!

 

[Lons]

Looks pretty good to me

 

[donwatson]

Hi Alan,
I think it looks a little fat but hey what do I know, mine never got a place either.