My first offering

[Robert]

from my woodwork class tonight.

Still a bit of a novice, so all constructive criticism/comments welcomed (other than I need a pen stand and I'm rubbish at taking pics!!)

Thank you

 

[billyb_imp]

Nicely turned & finished Robert Although I am not a great fan of the hour glass shape

 

[Neil]

Robert,

Without knowing where you are from I looked at the picture of the pen and thought - must be somewhere near Didcot!

That was a bit of a baptism of fire asking you to turn one of these as a relative newcomer! Tough as old boots, more phenol resin that wood. Did you use a liquid sanding sealer before you put what I guess is friction polish on the pen?

Nicely done and I should think it was highly satisfying, but the sausage shape isnt my favourite, but nicely done regardless!

 

[chas_41_uk]

Robert. As Billy says "Nicely turned & finished"
I am not a fan of this style of pen either, far too fat in the middle for my taste

 

[scouseroy]

I'm a novice too love the colour and I like the shape myself well done .......

 

[Woody]

Well Robert that is one very fine pen apart from the shape which I feel is a personal thing and considering the material all I can say is bloody well done mate it is so well turned and finished most would be proud to have turned that

 

[Robert]

Indeed the "wood" was purchased in Didcott. It was hard work, a lot of sanding and re-sanding, and there's still a couple of blemishes, but I put that down to my inexperience.

I'm struggling with what shape I like best for the slimline. I better hurry up and decide, as I've just ordered a bulk lot off Dan's site last night!

It was indeed finished with sanding sealer, then friction polish and finally microcrystaline wax, all Chestnut.

Thanks for the feedback

 

[stevenw1963]

nicely turned & finished pen Robert, onwards & upwards as they say.

 

[Jim]

You may be struggling with the shape for now Bob, but i am sure you will settle down with a shape that you will be happy with before you know it ..

This is tough wood to start off your pen turning with, but you done a good job overall, the shape is not one i would go with but i bet this one one sell as is ..

 

[Neil]

Indeed the "wood" was purchased in Didcott. It was hard work, a lot of sanding and re-sanding, and there's still a couple of blemishes, but I put that down to my inexperience.

I'm struggling with what shape I like best for the slimline. I better hurry up and decide, as I've just ordered a bulk lot off Dan's site last night!

It was indeed finished with sanding sealer, then friction polish and finally microcrystaline wax, all Chestnut.

Thanks for the feedback

Robert,

Sanding sealer does two things, it fills the grain and creates a barrier, hence the sealer. Liquid sanding sealer carries the bits that clog the grain as a suspension and it is as you are aware a muddy colour as a result. This sealer can discolour the wood, it has dulled the yellow in your pen blank. In my opinion it is best to use sanding sealer from a can on pens, I use Acrylic Sanding Sealer, I think it dries quicker and harder than cellulose. It does not distort the colours of the blank. I would also recommend, if you did not do it, that prior to sealing you give the lathe a spin and apply a yellow nyweb pad very gently for a couple of seconds to clean any dust from the blank and in between the bushes and the blank. Especially important for woods such as Zebrano, walnut, spalted beech (dont put liquid sanding sealer on spalted beech, yuch!).

 

[Goulss]

Well done excellent first pen, you must be well pleased

 

[paulm]

That is a fantastic first attempt Robert. I think we all start with different shapes and work towards one we really like which is usually a lot simpler than you first imagine but that is ok and turned and finished nicely.

 

[Penpal]

Robert that material is a mongrel to cut drill and turn but I guarantee it will turn so many heads my carry pen for donkeys years is one and if I was interested I could have sold dozens of them. Shape is as has been and should be remembered personal choice.

Kind regards Peter and Welcome.

 

[mattyts]

I haven't tried many shapes on slimlines,I either turn them parallel or with a bulb at the end like these:

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/mattyts/Turning/P1000816_zps384f5760.jpg
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/mattyts/Turning/P1000484_zps464f0c7c.jpg
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae338/mattyts/CAM00103_zpsc22e19ee.jpg

I have never been a fan of very large or thick slimlines,yours looks well finished though,especially considering the first blank you turned was laminate,a lot of people would have struggled

 

[edlea]

Lovely bit of turning sir ...hate the shape though

 

[Robert]

I tried turning one straight with an acrylic blank a few weeks ago, but it was so thin it split on me. Twice. Hence I've put a bit of thickness into the body.

I was probably doing something wrong when drilling, or gluing the barrel.

 

[bassethound]

That is a very nice pen indeed regardless of the shape,well done mate!

 

[Lons]

Ditto.
Well done Robert

 

[Matt]

Well done that man, regardless of the shape you have done really well

 

[bluntchisel]

That's a nice pen as your first one! Well done, Robert!

Bob.