Pens - Woodworking Talk

b00kemdano · 03-10-2009, 06:07 PM

I makes them.

Purple Heart and Bocote. The purple heard blank they sent in the kit was pretty old and dried out, so not so purple. Still looks pretty nice, I think.

Unfortunately, the both have small cracks from assembly. Clearly, there is more to learn.

jdixon · 03-10-2009, 08:28 PM

Dano, looks good and a great start! Keep it up! What kind of finish did you use on these?

John

b00kemdano · 03-10-2009, 09:19 PM

Thanks!

I got this polish from craft supplies USA.

I really like it. I used it on an oak top, too. It dries fast and seems durable.

AZ Termite · 03-10-2009, 10:56 PM

Dano,
Nice pens, The thing with Purple Heart is you have to let it sit for a while after you cut it or turn it to regain the purple color. The best finish for PH, IMO, is lacquer. I don't know what it is about the lacquer but the PH will stay purple when finished with it. Just make sure you let it sit long enough to turn purple again. Keep up the good work.

firehawkmph · 03-11-2009, 08:10 AM

Dano,
Looks good. Where and how are you getting the cracks from assembly? What are you using to press the pens together?
Mike Hawkins

b00kemdano · 03-11-2009, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firehawkmph

Dano,
Where and how are you getting the cracks from assembly? What are you using to press the pens together?

Funny you should ask, Mike.

On the first pen, I got a little excited, had a communication malfunction with my instruction sheet that came with the pen kit and assembled it wrong (pushed the twist mechanism all the way in instead of just to the end of the brass part). I think that one cracked during the disassembly process.

I managed to save the pen, but it has a small crack. I gave it to my teenager to wow his friends at school with. He'll probably lose it anyway!

The Bocote pen cracked a little too. I think while I was trying to put the tip in. It's easy for that tip to cock over to one side or the other when pressing them. I think today I'll make a jig for the tip to fit into so it'll stay square when pressing.

I'm using a squeezy type bar clamp to press these things together. I guess if the jig doesn't work out, I'll have to invest in a tiny shop press.

AZ Termite · 03-11-2009, 09:04 AM

When you make your jig drill a hole so the pen tips goes in about half way. It will hold the tip more stable that way. If all else fails PSI has a pen press that is really nice. it make putting pens together a breeze.

Gerald · 03-11-2009, 03:57 PM

b00kemdano,
I have a table top drill press that I made a couple of pieces for and press my pens together with it. Works pretty good.
Just a thought.........