My latest work

[carlor]

Hi everyone,

I've been working very diligently for the last couple of months and this is what I have to show for it. But before I continue I'd like to appologize in advance for the crappy photography. I don't know what's more frustrating: golf, pen turning, or pen photography (I'm leaning towards photography).

Photos 1 and 2 are of an Elegant Beauty wrapped in walnut with aluminum laminations. Some of you may remember my previous postings about all my problems with this set. This is the one of the last 2 blanks that survived. It was also another experiment in CA and micro mesh. I gave it 3 coats of thin, 5 of medium CA then sanded the ridges. Then 10 more coats of medium and micromeshed all the way through. I was quite pleased with the results, but oh, the work.

Photos 3 and 4 are of an Elegant Beauty wrapped in Cocobolo. With no laminations, this went much smoother... until I got to the finish. I sanded to 400, put on 3 coats of thin, 5 coats of medium, one coat of thin and then sanded to get rid of the ridges. Unfortunately I sanded all the way through the CA and had to start again This time: 3 thin, 10 medium, LIGHT sanding to 320 to get rid of the ridges, 2 thin, 5 medium, 1 thin then wet sanding with MM all the way through. Yeah, I know, it's overkill but at least I was starting to get the hang of it. Plus with such a nice kit, I wanted it to be really nice.

The last two pens (photos 5-7) are made from maple flooring that was taken out of my old highschool's gym floor when it was recently torn down. I plan to make a number of these to give/sell as souvenirs. On these I used CA/BLO to save a bunch of work and to try to figure it out. They have about 5 coats with light wet sanding from 3600 to 12000 MM and buffed with a Beal system.

They say you learn from your mistakes. I did learn a lot from all my recent mistakes, but my learning isn't keeping pace with my mistakes.

I'd like to thank everyone who has given me guidance. I couldn't have made these pens without you.


Thanks,

Carlo.

[slivermetimber]

Some really nice work there Carlo. As for the photography all I'd say needs a little 'tweaking' is the white balance on your camera. Apart from that the pics are fine! Your a penturner not a pro photographer

[rdabpenman]

Looking good Carlo.
I see you are trying the CA Only.
To avoid ridges and sanding through the finish when applying CA have a look at my Tutorial on how I apply my CA Only finish.

Les

[jaywood1207]

Those look really good Carlo but that walnut one is my favorite. The lines are so smooth. Did you use a scroll saw or bandsaw for it?

[carlor]

Originally Posted by jaywood1207

Those look really good Carlo but that walnut one is my favorite. The lines are so smooth. Did you use a scroll saw or bandsaw for it?

Thanks for the comments. I used a small table-top bandsaw to do the cutting. I have a scroll saw, but I preferred using the bandsaw. I found the scroll saw had too much room for error in wandering off the line of the cut.


Carlo.

[tomcatchevy]

Excellent work Carlo! I think your patience is paying off! The pens look great and the photos look pretty good too! Maybe try a grey background next time as it can tone down the white balance (so I`ve been told).