Nice job, Bob, I'm really beginning to appreciate the great skill in pen making.
Never underestimate pallets as a source of timber, albeit in small sizes and thicknesses. Sure, most are just muck softwood but look carefully and gems can be found. Pallets that have come from the USA can especially interesting as in the past I've found cherry, butternut, maple, red oak, white oak, hickory, elm, tulip-poplar, spalted birch, red alder and other species amongst them. One of my little diversions is making decorative boxes. Some years ago, a pallet from the USA came my way on which the boards were Brazilian mahogany that was quarter sawn and beautifully figured. That mahogany lived again as a games compendium that won first place in a nationwide Practical Woodworking competition. A pure example of Northern Thrift!
So I say - Yay to pallets!!
Dave
