[BigCountry79]

I bought some pen kits and a mandrel a few weeks back. I helped my daughter turn this on Saturday morning for her grandma.

Then I made two more...
Walnut
Black locust
Ash

Then I made four more this morning
Acrylic and Curly Maple
White oak

I may have just ordered 50 more pen kits just now...

 

[Rwhpi]

Very impressive!

 

[BigCountry79]

Public service announcement:
Acetone helps unstick CA glue when you glue a blank to your finger.

I added some super thin CA to the Ash blank and it seeped through the pores to the other side of the blank...

 

[Rwhpi]

The real "acetone-based" nail polish remover will also work - not the acetone-free stuff.

Believe it or not, Extra Virgin Olive Oil can also be used to unstick any cyanoacrylate glue (AKA: superglue) from the skin. Just apply it to the problem and let it set for a few minutes. It will gradually loosen the adhesion. When it loosens, rub the skin with your finger, or a handkerchief, in a circular motion to remove any traces. The heat from the rubbing helps with further removal. Then, wash the contaminated areas and your hands with warm (not hot)" soapy water to finish the job. The best part-- no burning, rash or redness occurs, which happens sometimes with any chemical agent used. Common liquid dish detergent works the best for the washing.

It doesn't work great for surface removal (I use acetone for that), but it does a good job on the skin.

Even when wearing rubber gloves sometimes, the glue may somehow find its way to your arm or elbow. That's why, I keep a small cooking spray bottle with the oil in my shop (near my first aid kit for quick access) -- just in case.

- Bob

 

[Rwhpi]

I bought some pen kits and a mandrel a few weeks back. I helped my daughter turn this on Saturday morning for her grandma.

View attachment 444847

Then I made two more...
Walnut
Black locust
Ash
View attachment 444848

Then I made four more this morning
Acrylic and Curly Maple
White oak
View attachment 444850
View attachment 444849

I may have just ordered 50 more pen kits just now...

It sounds like you're really into turning pens. I've never tried it, but it sounds like it may be an enjoyable combo with woodturning.

While ordering some Christmas gifts from Lee Valley Tools website, I noticed something that may interest you.

If you ever need just the acrylic pen-turning blanks, without the entire kit, Lee Valley sells them. I don't know where you purchase your pen supplies, but they carry many assortments of turning blanks -- and also pen kits. Prices may or may not be comparable to what you pay, but they do have large selections to choose from. I can also tell you that it's free shipping on all $40 plus orders.

I just wanted to share my find with you and other forum members. In case you don't already have it, there website is: Home - Lee Valley Tools

- Bob

 

[Waynenno]

I bought some pen kits and a mandrel a few weeks back. I helped my daughter turn this on Saturday morning for her grandma.

View attachment 444847

Then I made two more...
Walnut
Black locust
Ash
View attachment 444848

Then I made four more this morning
Acrylic and Curly Maple
White oak
View attachment 444850
View attachment 444849

I may have just ordered 50 more pen kits just now...
[/QUOTELOL I know the feeling. nice job o the pens

 

[BigCountry79]

The real "acetone-based" nail polish remover will also work - not the acetone-free stuff.

Believe it or not, Extra Virgin Olive Oil can also be used to unstick any cyanoacrylate glue (AKA: superglue) from the skin. Just apply it to the problem and let it set for a few minutes. It will gradually loosen the adhesion. When it loosens, rub the skin with your finger, or a handkerchief, in a circular motion to remove any traces. The heat from the rubbing helps with further removal. Then, wash the contaminated areas and your hands with warm (not hot)" soapy water to finish the job. The best part-- no burning, rash or redness occurs, which happens sometimes with any chemical agent used. Common liquid dish detergent works the best for the washing.

It doesn't work great for surface removal (I use acetone for that), but it does a good job on the skin.

Even when wearing rubber gloves sometimes, the glue may somehow find its way to your arm or elbow. That's why, I keep a small cooking spray bottle with the oil in my shop (near my first aid kit for quick access) -- just in case.

- Bob

I really appreciate that!

I was using acetone nail polish remover for the CA de-sticking, but I had no clue about the olive oil.

 

[BigCountry79]

LOL I know the feeling. nice job o the pens

They are addictive, fast, and I always think I can do just a little bit better

 

[haathi]

They are addictive, fast, and I always think I can do just a little bit better

If you set up a Christmas tree at your house, try turning simple ornaments sometime. I find those very addicting!

 

[BigCountry79]

If you set up a Christmas tree at your house, try turning simple ornaments sometime. I find those very addicting!

I was looking at those, but didn't want to pay $3 for a 5gram bit of brass.

 

[builtinbkyn2]

You look like an old hand at turning. Nicely done and nice combinations of woods. Very pretty pens.

 

[_Ogre]

Nice work BC 👍

 

[rgilbo]

I'd been turning for a couple of years and vowed never to get into pen making because of the need to buy more equipment. One Xmas I get a surprise Pen Making Kit --- aaagghhh !!
So I make the two pens in the kit ...... three years later I've probably turned over 100 pens , LOL, it's addictive.
Good job on those pens BigCountry.

 

[BigCountry79]

I made 3 more today and prepared 20 blanks... I'l post photos tomorrow

 

[BigCountry79]

 

[BigCountry79]

 

[haathi]

I was looking at those, but didn't want to pay $3 for a 5gram bit of brass.

I have not yet used the brass tubes or finials on mine. It would make cleaning up the ends of the ornaments quicker, but I still do not have a chuck or bushing set so I have just been using a drive center for now.

 

[lpottratz]

nice work on the pens looks like another has become addicted.after doing hundreds of them ive been on hiatus for the last few years.in fear if i did one more id be back at it again.the thing is finding a way to get rid of em.there are only so many people you can give them to. i used to do pretty well selling them at work.

 

[BigCountry79]

nice work on the pens looks like another has become addicted.after doing hundreds of them ive been on hiatus for the last few years.in fear if i did one more id be back at it again.the thing is finding a way to get rid of em.there are only so many people you can give them to. i used to do pretty well selling them at work.

LOL, yeah, I haven't hit terminal mass yet in my family...

 

[BigCountry79]

Not bad for an hour's work or so... I'm getting this down. I still need to turn some maple for the tip halves of many of the acrylic caps. I'm not sure which goes best with the walnut. What are your thoughts?