I have to start somewhere...

Hi all,
I am new to turning and to this forum (well, okay, I lurked a while)...
Here are - for your criticism, or just a good laugh - my first efforts...


just to say a bit about them. They are all dip pens, obviously. They are shown, left to right, in the order they were made. The first is in oak, which was then fumed and polished, the second in flamed maple, and the third in walnut. All finished with Truoil.
Already made up the blank for the next I will try, which will also be a dip pen, but will be segmented.
Cheers!

Welcome Darryl.
Nicely turned and finished trio!!
That's a hard pen to turn as a first effort.

They look great and very functional.
Nicely turned and finished.

Les

Hello and welcome Darryl, they look very good, nothing to laugh at there. Turning anything like that takes a lot of tool control. well done.
Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi Darryl - welcome to the Forum

Turning a relatively long, closed-end rod into a functional dip pen would provide a challenge for many with more experience than someone completely new to turning. From where I'm sitting, your pens look exceptional, and I can't wait to see the next one.

Welcome to the forum Darryl.
You'll not get anyone laughing at those pens, they are as good a start pen turning as anyone could do or better.
Well turned and finished, you should be well pleased with them.
Alan

Hi Darryl,
for your first effort, they look rather nice. Always wanted to do dip pens, but never got around to them. These, I like a lot!!! well done.
Kelvin

Welcome Darryl from Gent to us here on the forum. Lots of intrerest always in dip pens mate. How do you get along using Truoil I find it dries up in the container too fast for me? Our last three days in Australia an average temperature the highest since records began.

Peter.

Thank you all for the nice comments and encouragement.
For those that are wondering, I might be new to woodturning, but have had many years as a woodworker, so I have a head start over many with their first pens. I have (perhaps a touch late) just introduced myself in the correct sub-forum.
Darryl

Penpal said:

Welcome Darryl from Gent to us here on the forum. Lots of intrerest always in dip pens mate. How do you get along using Truoil I find it dries up in the container too fast for me? Our last three days in Australia an average temperature the highest since records began.

Peter.

Click to expand...

Hi Peter,
I was actually born in Australia (Perth) and friends and family have been suffering hugely under the heat! I don't miss that part of it at all...

I find the Truoil fine (though there is a massive temperature difference between what you have and I have). I have found the best trick is to make as small an opening in the top as possible. That also helps with applying it really thinly. The bottle i am currently using has been open a fair while, and after it was left (for about four months) I did need to spike through the skin that had formed on top of the oil. Since then (about three months ago) it has been fine, but it is rather cool here.
As far as I can tell the big problem with it drying is air, so you might have luck with keeping it in a series of airtight bags. No idea if you can put it in the fridge for a longer lifespan. It might work for the oil, but not for me.

I hope your heatwave breaks soon.

Beautiful pens Darryl. A great start.

dazzaman said:

Hi all,
I am new to turning and to this forum (well, okay, I lurked a while)...
Here are - for your criticism, or just a good laugh - my first efforts...
View attachment 41023
View attachment 41024
just to say a bit about them. They are all dip pens, obviously. They are shown, left to right, in the order they were made. The first is in oak, which was then fumed and polished, the second in flamed maple, and the third in walnut. All finished with Truoil.
Already made up the blank for the next I will try, which will also be a dip pen, but will be segmented.
Cheers!

Click to expand...

Hi Darryl and welcome, from my point of view there is no laugh I really like the Maple one, and their simplicity draws me. ( I have read your introduction so I am aware that you are no woodworking beginner). I did a series of wine barrel oak dip pens a few years ago and am aware that they are not as easy as they look especially from the balance and feel point of view. Soon you will be competition for Melanie. :wink:

I look forward to seeing more of your posts especially some of the musical instruments.

PG

Very nice, well turned and great choices in timber, looking forward to seeing your next pieces

G'Day and welcome to the forum Darryl, a great looking trio of pens.
A nice cool day 38°C here.