Pens
Start with a hardware kit. These kits are available through Woodcraft, Rockler, Pen State, and a host of other companies.
Wood is cut 1/4" longer that each tube. The reason for this is to prevent " blowing out" the blank.
This pen will be made of Olive wood
This pen will be made of Olive wood
7mm hole is bored 1/8" short of all the way through.
Mount the Blank into a vice or clamp as seen here. Check to ensure it is perpendicular to the table. The next step is to set the depth stop. You want to stop about an 1/8" short of all the way through. This will prevent the blank from splitting, or "blowing out"
Mount the Blank into a vice or clamp as seen here. Check to ensure it is perpendicular to the table. The next step is to set the depth stop. You want to stop about an 1/8" short of all the way through. This will prevent the blank from splitting, or "blowing out"
Wood blank is then cut to final length. This will be exactly the same length as the brass tube.
Before the tubes are glued, rough the outside of the tubes with a coarse sandpaper to give the glue more to hold onto.
The brass tubes are then epoxied into place.
The brass tubes are then epoxied into place.
Here is the pen after turning and a finish sanding. The left side is the top. A small tenon is cut on the right side of the top to accept the hardware later. This photo shows the bushing slid over the tenon. This is used to test fit the tenon during turning.
Finish is applied:
My preferred finish is CA glue. Apply three or four coats while the pen is slowly turning. Sand starting with 320 grit and continue to 600, then to micro adbrasives to 4000. Buff the pen on a beal buff and you will have a beautiful and long lasting finish.
My preferred finish is CA glue. Apply three or four coats while the pen is slowly turning. Sand starting with 320 grit and continue to 600, then to micro adbrasives to 4000. Buff the pen on a beal buff and you will have a beautiful and long lasting finish.
A vise is used to press the parts together. Tape is used to mark how deep to insert the mechanism into the pen body. Parts for the top are pressed on as well.
Here is the completed pen.
Here is how I make a wooden pen.
After the epoxy hardens, mount the pen blank assembly to a pen mandrel and then mount to the lathe.
Finished sections, ready to assemble.