Hand crafted Pen and Pencil Set

[Mailman]

I like working on my mini lathe also. i make pot calls and strikers for turkey hunting.

[Caneyscud]

I'm hopeless - I have three lathes!

[squirtthecat]

Wow.  How cool is that...

I can't even color within the lines.

[KevinG]

Then the wood didn't want to play, kept splitting on me.

Kevin,
What kind of glue are you using?  If you are using CA glue, it is to hard.  Try using gorilla glue.  Moisture activates it so you will need a little watter.  This is a softer glue and will fill the cracks inside and help prevent splitting.

When turning the pens, prior to getting to the finished size, you can use a piece of sheet batting (like inside quilts, fiber type not cotton), put blue painters tape on one side, and then apply CA glue to the fiber.  Coat the pen with the CA glue by hand turning the lath around to coat entire surface.  Then finish turning to the proper sized.  You may need to repeat as necessary to get the final size.  For the CA glue, use the medium viscosity type, not the thin or thick.
The last coating or two you will sand off.  

Oak is very porous so it is not a real good choice for turning small items.  Bowls are a better choice as they are bigger but I realize you are limited to what you were given.


If you need additional information on turning, PM me and I can get you in touch with my brother.  He is a woodworking master and has offered to help you out with any techniques or questions you may have.  He provided the information above as I have seen him use this technique before.  He mentioned how soft deer antlers are and that you use almost a whole bottle glue.  He laughed and said you almost end up with nothing but CA in the final product but the results are stunning.

I started with CA and then switched to epoxy. I didn't think about gorilla glue cause I've only seen that used on wood alone - the centers have a brass tube so I didn't think it'd stick to it. I agree with the porous - holy cow, that stuff opens up every chance it gets. Kinda why it took so many attempts and part of the reason for the all day project. Just couldn't think of anything else to build with it - and the boss hinted at the pen thing anyhow - good thing I only have one boss, otherwise I'd be here all day making sawdust out of a bucket of wood. Probably make some jewelry boxes out of the rest or something that doesn't require turning, too much of a pain to turn that stuff. Thanks to both you and your brother!

[KevinG]

I've got two, a mini and a full size. The mini is really cool, it's a Sherline and can also do metals. I made a really cool steam engine with it.

Post a picture of that bad boy! Would love to see.

The only things I can make with my hands are a mess! ;D

Wasn't sure if you wanted the lathe or the steam engine, so here's the lathe. Obviously it's currently set up for wood turning pens, I've got about 1 million attachments for this thing - it can do just about anything (small that is).


Here's the steam engine, it was a real fun project but expensive as all get go. I couldn't get anybody to sell me scrap metal, so I had to buy fresh stock and let me tell you, they don't want to sell you a small piece, you've got to buy a whole bar (about 9 feet long and 1" in diameter for aluminum and 2 feet long by 3" diameter for brass) or sheet aluminum (5 feet by 3 feet 1/4 inch thick).

[ArnieM]

Kevin, your pen/pencil sets are incredible.  I thought they could only be made in China  ;D

You should really post a video of the process.  I think a lot of people would be amazed.

Now, if I cut down an oak tree and send you a hunk ...    :D

[KevinG]

Kevin, your pen/pencil sets are incredible.  I thought they could only be made in China  ;D

You should really post a video of the process.  I think a lot of people would be amazed.

Now, if I cut down an oak tree and send you a hunk ...    :D

;D ;D Thanks Arnie.
Please no more oak - I'll be here all day again. Get some burl, those make some beautiful pens.

[RossP]

Nice job on the pen and pencil set. I like your steam engine also. I do not have a mini lathe or a dedicated lathe but a Shop Smith and I have made many pens and other things on it. Here is my latest creation





The center is a cutting board the wife bought and I grabbed, Trimmed in Walnut and
the risers are Mahogany. Does the job for tying flies while watching TV.

[ArnieM]

Looks beautiful Ross.  I'm glad you told us what is was  :D

[classicrockgriller]

That is some nice work Ross and Kevin.

Congrats to both of you.

[KevinG]

Nice job on the pen and pencil set. I like your steam engine also. I do not have a mini lathe or a dedicated lathe but a Shop Smith and I have made many pens and other things on it. Here is my latest creation





The center is a cutting board the wife bought and I grabbed, Trimmed in Walnut and
the risers are Mahogany. Does the job for tying flies while watching TV.

Gotta admit I too was baffled at first, but now I want one. That beats tying flies in my 110° garage.

[RossP]

I will take a picture of it tonight when I get home and post it full of tools and stuff.
Looks a lot different when it is full.

Ross

[KevinG]

That'd be interesting. Kinda wondering how you sit with it too, does it just sit on your lap, or to the arms rest on the arms of your chair?

[RossP]

I just put it in my lap, I use a portable Otto Light and away I go. The wife does not like it when i tie with Maraboo but all I do is remind her of all the fish I bring home for her and that seems to do the trick. She also fishes so that helps. Great for taking it fishing trips also. Nice to be able to tie some flies at night around the fire.

[KevinG]

Here's a sample of some other projects I did too.

Here's a trebuchet I made not using a single nail or screw, and it actually fires. Shoots marbles pretty far. Took it to work one day and got in trouble  ;D


Here's a keepsake box I made. I actually made 5 of these and gave all but one away as gifts.