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I can turn reasonable pens...sometimes!

Bob Ellis

Bob Ellis

Graduate Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2014
Posts
450
Location
Wensleydale, North Yorkshire
First Name
Bob
As a relative newbie, I have been having some problems with the CA finish on some of my pens, so, in an attempt to restore my confidence in my abilities (limited though they are), I took this photo of some of the pens I have made recently.

Pen display.jpg

I know that most people here will recognise the wood used for each pen, but I have listed them below anyway. From left to right, they are

A wild grained oak American style ballpoint pen, with lattice sculpted bands.
A snakewood American style pencil.
A cherrywood European style fountain pen.
A bocote slimline gel writer.
A stabilised spalted tiger oak slimline ballpoint pen with Celtic band.
A hazel Dymondwood American fountain pen.
A lignum vitae Tetra stylus ballpoint pen.
A cross-cut zebrano streamline ballpoint.

Sorry about the quality of my photography. The pens look better in real life!
 
stevenw1963

stevenw1963

Bodger supreme
Fellow
Joined
May 9, 2013
Posts
3,551
Location
South Lanarkshire - Another tyke in exile
First Name
Steven
Pens look OK to me Bob, maybe try a different finish for a change if not getting the CA right is getting you down.
Lacquer will give a similar finish to CA, friction polish is a waxy type as is carnauba wax etc etc
there's a lot of finishes you could try.
 
bluntchisel

bluntchisel

Registered
Joined
Sep 2, 2013
Posts
3,849
Location
Kent, UK.
First Name
Bob
Yep, can't see any problems with this little lot, Bob!

When not using CA finishes I find friction polish leaves a good finish.

Bob.
 
billyb_imp

billyb_imp

Registered
Joined
Mar 2, 2014
Posts
4,298
Location
Lincoln, UK
First Name
Billy
The pens in the photo look very good Bob :thumbs::thumbs:

With regards to the CA finish, persevere with it, I also had a problem with my CA finish, its still not always perfect, in fact far from it, but recently it as improved no end.
:thinks::thinks:
 
Last edited:
chas_41_uk

chas_41_uk

Registered
Joined
Mar 13, 2014
Posts
10,034
Location
Manchester
First Name
Chas
A very nice selection of pens Bob:thumbs:
CA is a mean beast to tame, everyone has their own way of applying it and it does take time and practice, a lot of practice. But you will get there in the end :wink:
 
Penpal

Penpal

Grand Master
Joined
May 26, 2013
Posts
25,342
Location
Canberra AUSTRALIA
First Name
Peter
Love your pens admire your fortitude some of those timbers are mongrels to work with notably Snakewood and others IMHO you are going well mate.

Peter.
 
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