Some recent pens.

[Neil Lawton]

Well I did promise to post something, so here are some recent pens.


Maple, Teak, Bamboo, Walnut, Idigbo, and Burr Sycamore with Walnut centre band.
Finish is Melamine lacquer.
Regards,
Neil.

 

[Doug]

Very nice pens Neil, thanks for sharing

 

[silver]

Very nice set of slim line pens there Neil.

I like the sycamore one personally.

Thanks for showing..

 

[Terry]

Excellent set of slimlines Neil !!!!!!!

 

[paulm]

Lovely set of pens Neil. They are all nice but I like the idigbo and especially the sycamore.

 

[edlea]

Very nice Neil ...Sycamore for me too.

 

[Neil Lawton]

Thanks guys.
The sycamore one was turned as a bit of an experiment. I had one prospective buyer who thought the slimlines were to thin, and the streamlines too fat, so I turned a couple in between. She loved the size but preferred the other I had done in Rosewood with a Wenge centre
Trouble is I didn't photograph it.
Regards,
Neil

 

[Walter]

Nice pens Neil. Do you spray the acrylic lacquer or apply it "on lathe"?

 

[bellringer]

I like them all

 

[yorkshireman]

Nice varied selection Neil

keith

 

[Neil Lawton]

Nice pens Neil. Do you spray the acrylic lacquer or apply it "on lathe"?

Hi Walter.
I use the wipe on Melamine from chestnut.
It needs to be built up in thin layers, so I do on the lathe. I wipe on with the lathe stationary, let dry then buff up with the lathe running.
I usually use 3 or 4 coats, burnishing in between with cream.
It is actually very easy to cock it all up! Buff before dry, or put too much on, and whatever you are buffing up with will stick to the blank! Patience is the key with this method.
You can do more coats if you want it ultra glossy, but I'm not that keen.
I've stuck with this method for the durability of the finish. The pen and pencil set I have used almost every working day for the last 3 or 4 years, actually don't look too different from the day I made them.
Regards,
Neil

 

[Jim]

A nice set of pens Neil, looks like you dropped on a nice piece of Walnut, it looks superb ...

Regarding the Melamine, i bought a tin from Craft Supplies a few years ago, their own make, it is still on my shelf unused. Seeing your finished pens i may just give it a try ...

 

[Walter]

Hi Walter.
I use the wipe on Melamine from chestnut.
It needs to be built up in thin layers, so I do on the lathe. I wipe on with the lathe stationary, let dry then buff up with the lathe running.
I usually use 3 or 4 coats, burnishing in between with cream.
It is actually very easy to cock it all up! Buff before dry, or put too much on, and whatever you are buffing up with will stick to the blank! Patience is the key with this method.
You can do more coats if you want it ultra glossy, but I'm not that keen.
I've stuck with this method for the durability of the finish. The pen and pencil set I have used almost every working day for the last 3 or 4 years, actually don't look too different from the day I made them.
Regards,
Neil

Sounds much like my method for applying CA. I will have to try it with melamine.

 

[Woody]

Some very nice pens there Neil you should do well in the compo when it starts

 

[Neil Lawton]

Thanks all.
Walter, it hadn't even occurred to me how similar the technique was to yours until I typed it out. Hope you don't think I nicked it!

This finish sort of evolved from, "I've cocked it up" (knock it back) "argg, I've done it again" (knock it back).
I did forget to say that Melamine and Cellulose products are good bedfellows.
I usually coat the blanks in thinned sanding sealer (70/30) before applying the Melamine. This usually shows up any faults which will shout at you when finished! If all is OK then buff the sanding sealer before applying any Melamine.
If anything goes horribly wrong, a quick wipe with Cellulose thinners will very easily remove the problem and allow another go.
Regards,
Neil.