1st Solo Effort

This is my first effort turning a pen. The last pen I turned was whilst on a course a few weeks ago, I have just checked it was just over 6 weeks ago

To say mistakes were made would be an understatement, First of all I used a 6.2mm mandrel not a 7mm one as states in the instructions.
I have a terrible habit of not reading instructions

Second big mistake was not squaring the ends up properly, I thought I had until I went to assemble the pen. I have learnt close will not do.

Third big error was on the finishing, I somehow managed to get the kitchen towel stuck to the blank. I was using CA and my eyes were stinging like I don't know what. After the kitchen towel stuck I had no choice but to sand it all down again, I changed the way I applied the CA and got the kitchen towel stuck a 2nd time.

Fourth big error is that the pen unscrews all the way as it would when changing a refill I have no idea why.

Well here it is.

Rocket ball pen.

Acacia

Finish now is burnishing cream followed by 2 coats of friction polish.

Very nice effort mate....
The mandrel diameter only matters on the bushes, if the bushes are a snug fit on the bar all is good.
I only use blue towel with CA and tbh I don't do CA often.
If your eyes are stinging you need better ventilation or switch to an odourless brand ( BSI Gold)
I have never had these unscrew but on others, it's normally where the transmission isn't screwed up tight.
Hopefully these hints might help.....
But not a bad start, roll on pen two!!

Great first effort and the errors only you know, and you won’t make them again, as long as you enjoyed it - who cares :wink:

Padster

Gary, the fellow who never made a mistake never made anything, so at least you had a few lessons learned.
Keep the pen and when you have made a few more then you can compare and see your progress.

Alan

Not a bad start Gary.
Experience is built on mistakes & putting them right. Practice, practice & more practice will make it easier. Just enjoy your turning.

That's a great start Gary, you are on the learning curve now and at least you know what went wrong.

As per what Mark (Flexi) said, kitchen towel for me doesn't work as it sets too quickly. When I use CA (Which is rarely now, and only upon request.)

The issue with the transmission can be resolved by pulling the end cap off and then tighten the transmission tighter. then the retract should work without it coming apart.

Look forward to Pen Number 2.

All the above comments Gary.Very well done.I have never used CA as a pen finish,I hate the smell and why encase a lovely piece of wood in plastic.I use a melamine finish nearly all the time now.It takes practice but gives an excellent finish.There is an excellent "how to do it" tutorial by Phil Dart in the vaults.Well worth a read.

I hear you Geoff but none of your experiences ring a bell with CA,masterful finishing is an art and everyone has a theory and a practice that works for them. good luck with yours.