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Be Gentle with me please

clumsysod

GOBBY GIT
Graduate Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Posts
687
Location
Grantham
Here are some of my first attempts at turning wooden pens.
I hope i get it right, never tried posting before until tonight.
I have been turning for about 7 weeks now but have read a lot about it in that time.
I don't have much funds to start with so have not got any flash gear to work with.
Turning between centres as I don't have a mandrel I did this fountain pen for my new best friend Tom.
P1070278.resized.JPG
P1070279.resized.JPG
The wood (unsure of type) came from his dads old walking stick, it was too long anyway.
All pens finished with ca superglue and polished it with pumice powder and toothpaste.


Next is my first attempt at a closed end pen only because the end finial was missing from the kit.
Wood found in skip not a clue what it is but I will learn about this lark.
P1070281.resized.JPG
I fashioned a mandrel from a piece of threaded stud and a couple of o-rings.
Turned it in a jacobs chuck, bad idea and went off centre slightly, live and learn as they say.


Last is a rollerball for Stef, Lovely girl, good friend.
wood from the garden table (cut 6inches off the 4 legs so I have some more to play with).
P1070288.resized.JPG

Ok so they may not be perfect but I will get there I am sure, as I get more and better tools and learn from you people.
Tell me honestly what you think, I have my own opinions of where to improve and wonder if you agree?
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
Very unusual for a beginner to turn this type of pen, normally it is a Slimline or Euro pen we see. So to see these pens is a surprise to say the least, and a cracking job you have done with them, they look smashing George ... :thumbs:
 

clumsysod

GOBBY GIT
Graduate Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Posts
687
Location
Grantham
The choice of pens was not mine Jim.
I just did as I was told by my mate while looking around the forums they were choosing what they wanted.
They purchased them I believe from ebay and presented me with kits and kind words "it doesnt matter if you bugger it up have a try".
I have done a couple of slims but they are in a laughable state, turning them between centers was so hard I need more practice before I can show those.
Ambitous I know but I have a Roman Harvest on the lathe at the moment, my first commision. Ha Its been there all weekend attempt number 4 tomorrow.
 

Terry

Chairman Plonker
Executive Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2013
Posts
9,504
Location
An exile Geordie living in Kingston upon Hull
First Name
Terry
The choice of pens was not mine Jim.
I just did as I was told by my mate while looking around the forums they were choosing what they wanted.
They purchased them I believe from ebay and presented me with kits and kind words "it doesnt matter if you bugger it up have a try".
I have done a couple of slims but they are in a laughable state, turning them between centers was so hard I need more practice before I can show those.
Ambitous I know but I have a Roman Harvest on the lathe at the moment, my first commision. Ha Its been there all weekend attempt number 4 tomorrow.

God loves a trier!!!!:thumbs:
 

Jim

Grand Master
Joined
Oct 19, 2011
Posts
15,617
Take your time George, i have done a few Roman Harvest pens, they look smashing when finished ... :thumbs:
 

clumsysod

GOBBY GIT
Graduate Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Posts
687
Location
Grantham
Thanks for the encouragement Bellringer, Jim and rellim but the faults are easy to spot.
My burning is to deep and uneven.
The fit on the center band is out of alignment on the top pen.
The closed end is one sided on the middle pen.
I have cut to much wood away on the cap of the bottom pen it dives from the clip end.
Pretty poor really when I was making nylon bushes so accuratley in the factory.
I make excuses for myself by saying they had better lighting and sharpening equipment and the lathe was at the right height and adjustment.
I kid myself I can do this.
 

Jimjam66

Chief Battonager
Registered
Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Posts
3,775
Location
Basingstoke, Hampshire
Thanks for the encouragement Bellringer, Jim and rellim but the faults are easy to spot.
My burning is to deep and uneven.
The fit on the center band is out of alignment on the top pen.
The closed end is one sided on the middle pen.
I have cut to much wood away on the cap of the bottom pen it dives from the clip end.
Pretty poor really when I was making nylon bushes so accuratley in the factory.
I make excuses for myself by saying they had better lighting and sharpening equipment and the lathe was at the right height and adjustment.
I kid myself I can do this.

Hey George - each one of us could give you a list of faults with 'our' pens, and none of us has made the perfect pen ... Yet! As an example I use a Chairman's as my personal pen at the mo, which is 1mm out of round at the section. Bugs the heck out of me everytime I use it. The other day I gave it to a customer who knows his pens, and asked him to tell me what was wrong with it. Five minutes later he handed it back and told me it was perfect.

The point is, others don't see the faults you do. And we're all sincere in telling you that for a first attempt your pens are astoundingly good. Yes, the burning is a little deep for my taste, and yes, the closed end is not quite the shape I would aim for, but I can tell you that I would still be proud of those pens if I'd made them.

Give yourself a break, my friend. It sounds like you need it!

David
 
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