Hey all,
New to the forum. Been turning pens for several years now. I did not see a write up on it, so I thought I would post a trick I use, especially since I use Zebrawood for pens more often than most other woods. I want the grain to look right (when making a slimline especially), and stay as close as possible after the pen is turned between the two pieces. So, when I divide the original blank, I mark the halfway point with a WHITE OUT PEN (liquid paper pen available at most office supply stores and department stores) and then place an X (or if I am making several blanks at once, I use numbers or different letters) on either side of the cut mark in the middle of the blank, so that there will be two "X's" to show where the pen was cut. I use the liquid paper pen because it dries quickly, and does not rub off. That way when I cut the blanks, I do not turn the grain the wrong direction and put the two X's (or other letters) facing one another, and the grain will be fairly consistent. I also find that when I have some exotic woods, that the liquid paper pen is an easy way to write the kind of wood it is on the blank and it show up. Hope this helps others.
Tom from Arkansas
New to the forum. Been turning pens for several years now. I did not see a write up on it, so I thought I would post a trick I use, especially since I use Zebrawood for pens more often than most other woods. I want the grain to look right (when making a slimline especially), and stay as close as possible after the pen is turned between the two pieces. So, when I divide the original blank, I mark the halfway point with a WHITE OUT PEN (liquid paper pen available at most office supply stores and department stores) and then place an X (or if I am making several blanks at once, I use numbers or different letters) on either side of the cut mark in the middle of the blank, so that there will be two "X's" to show where the pen was cut. I use the liquid paper pen because it dries quickly, and does not rub off. That way when I cut the blanks, I do not turn the grain the wrong direction and put the two X's (or other letters) facing one another, and the grain will be fairly consistent. I also find that when I have some exotic woods, that the liquid paper pen is an easy way to write the kind of wood it is on the blank and it show up. Hope this helps others.
Tom from Arkansas
