Morning all,
Thanks to Lance, Alan & Curly for the help - always appreciated.
So ……
I’ve ordered a transfer punch set from arceurotrade and frankly they can’t arrive soon enough. Yesterday I attempted to finish a pen with a CA coating and sanding with the micro mesh pads. I was really pleased with the finish starting with the 1500 and ending with the 12000 with a final buffing of car polish. The result was spectacular - I’ve no idea what the wood was, maybe a dark oak, I’d recycled an old writing box for several blanks. I hear that wood database calling! 
However, and there’s always a “however” at my stage of turning ……. I managed to crack the CA finish at both the nib end and clip. I think that I made two basic errors. Firstly I didn’t square the ends of the blanks properly after applying the CA. I did lightly sand on a flat surface but there may have still been slight protrusions of CA (hence the arrival of the transfer punch set is eagerly awaited). Also I may have applied to much pressure when assembling the pen in the press. I also applied several layers of thick CA then two or three of thin. I think I did this in the wrong order?
Anyway, it’s all a learning curve and I’m only using cheap pen kits and recycled wood, so no real issue and the experience is useful.
As always I’m happy to get others thoughts on what I’ve done and more importantly what I should have done, so if you’ve any suggestions I’m happy to hear them.
At some point, when the competence has improved I’m looking to purchasing some better quality rollerball kits, pencil kits and of course fountain pen kits, they’re the ones that really excite me.
I’ve been retired 4yrs and 4 days and really wished I’d found this hobby then not 4 months ago - it is so therapeutic (despite being slightly heavier on the wallet than anticipated 
). At least the Mrs is starting to accept the “I’m just popping in the garage for an hour” and reappear 5hrs later, dusty but happy! 
Regards,
Colin.
