One of Dans Zeta's dressed in laburnum

[billyb_imp]

I had a go at one of Dan's Zeta's today, its a gold & titanium chrome finish dressed in laburnum

Similar in shape to the sierra but about 10mm shorter & with a 9mm brass tube, (so thinner)bboth the nib section & end cap are pressed into the tube, the pen is operated by twisting the end cap rather than the barrell. The kit quality seems very good.

The fit of both the end cap & nib section seemed a bit loose but that maybe because I used cones for bushings.

I rather like it, despite its similarity to the Sierra, Margaret immediately said it was a better size to put in her handbag (which of 40 or 50 handbags I don't know)

I will definitely be trying some more in the future.

 

[Les ELm]

Interesting looking timber.
Nice Form, Fit and Finish with nice choice of components and plating to show off the timber.
What finish did you use?


Les

 

[rayf6604]

Well for me that is a Lucida by another name and that it great. It looks good Billy I'll definitely get some when Dan gets them. Thanks for showing.

 

[silver]

You have done a great job of that Billy..

Nicely done and presented..

All said on woodys thread about the likeness of the kits..

 

[brody2123]

Looking good Billy. Again, as the one woody made, the plating looks good. And you've turned a cracking pen mate.

 

[billyb_imp]

Interesting looking timber.
Nice Form, Fit and Finish with nice choice of components and plating to show off the timber.
What finish did you use?


Les

The kit Les is known as a Zeta and currently not available although it is very similar to the Lucida indeed many would say it is a Lucida. One of our members Dan (od Taylors of Mirfield fame) is a supplier of pen turning kits, tools etc (recently started doing this on his own) and following advice from some of the luntics on the forum is looking to source new kits and the like at reasonable rates (kits cost a fortune in the UK for what they are), the one seen here is a sample, there will be others by other forum members, so that we can get a feel for them.

The finish is after sanding, acrylic spray on sanding sealer, HUT friction polish & microcrystalline wax.

 

[Buckeye]

Nice laburnum but I am not keen on the sierras.

Peter

 

[Vic Perrin]

It looks good Billy. Did you turn it without bushes. Dan sent me one but the Lucida bushings don't fit. As you say the nib and cap are a bit loose in the brass tube, Woody also commented the same. I Have never turned a pen without bushes so it looks like I will have to have a go at it tommorow.

Vic

 

[Grump]

Lovely pics Billy.

 

[billyb_imp]

It looks good Billy. Did you turn it without bushes. Dan sent me one but the Lucida bushings don't fit. As you say the nib and cap are a bit loose in the brass tube, Woody also commented the same. I Have never turned a pen without bushes so it looks like I will have to have a go at it tommorow.

Vic

I have some bushes that are in the shape of cones which allow you to turn to various diameters, although no guide for size. I think they came with my Rotur mandrel, I didn't know what they where for until today

 

[billyb_imp]

Lovely pics Billy.

Thanks for the coment Brian

So you're not going to let your feeling about old pens similar to sierras be seen again on here

 

[chas_41_uk]

Very nice pen Billy

 

[Vic Perrin]

Bloody Hell Billy I've got some of them there cones as well come to think of it as I also have the Rotur Mandrel.

Thanks for the tip off mate I will definitely have a go at the Zeta tommorow.

Vic

 

[Grump]

Thanks for the coment Brian

So you're not going to let your feeling about old pens similar to sierras be seen again on here

I would only be repeating myself Billy, you always take such nice pictures and turn lovely pens whether they be plastic or wood.
I don't say things for the sake of it and I don't go out of my way to create bover but I do give an honest opinion and do so with proof.
I have 9mm Sierra kits as in the pic I showed I see no point in spoiling your thread aswell as my dad's.
Woody don't need telling cos he knows I love him.

 

[billyb_imp]

I would only be repeating myself Billy, you always take such nice pictures and turn lovely pens whether they be plastic or wood.
I don't say things for the sake of it and I don't go out of my way to create bover but I do give an honest opinion and do so with proof.
I have 9mm Sierra kits as in the pic I showed I see no point in spoiling your thread aswell as my dad's.
Woody don't need telling cos he knows I love him.

Thanks Brian, I do know where youre coming from, there are an awful lot of similar looking pens about when it comes to the Sierra style of pen. But I am quite impressed with the quality of the kit supplied by Dan, I will do many more Sierra style pens and would be more than happy to purchase these and drop one of the others that are manufactured by ???

Of course I do need to try more of Dan's (and hear from others) to ensure the quality will always be this good.

 

[Penpal]

Billy the band has character as well the clip is strong and substantial for choice pressing the parts is a firm way to go some kits just hang together by good luck IMHO.

Kind regards Peter.

 

[Twister]

forgive me if i am wrong
is the sierra a barrel twist?
is the lucida \ zeta a cap twist?

i prefer the cap twist ...it feels better quality to me

i do a lot of sierra but much prefer quality of lucida
i never got a sample but if it is going to be same as lucida ..I have to say Dan could be on a winner...for me at least
and as stated before I am sure Dan is not trying to re-invent the wheel
just making it an option for uk buyers

gets my vote

Steve

p.s. if he is trying to re-invent ..then i think the "omitted" knurl was a way forward

 

[Jim]

Well done Billy, the finish does look good, highlighted by a very good image ..

 

[Jimjam66]

Nicely done, and I like the look of that kit. Not having been around (alive) as long as some I have no 'old' 9mm Sierra to compare it with. I'll be ordering some as 'pen and pencil' sets for sure.

 

[Winemaker]

Very nice pen ( does everyone buy from Dan am I missing out )