Pen Blank Trade?

[triplefreak]

Is there any interest in setting up a pen blank trade for our members out there? I would suggest that a minimum would be a 3/4" X 3/4" X 5", to make most any pen out there.
I also suggest making it easy on the members of this forum, by staying with a small USPS flat rate box, which costs $4.95 to ship. You can fit as many as 22 of the previously mentioned sized blanks in said box.

What says the general consensus? Any interest at all?

[sachbvn]

Count me in!

Let me go take inventory of what I have - off hand I know I have a ton of various degrees of blister maple cut into pen blanks..... some spalted sycamore.... not sure what else besides the normal cherry, walnut, etc.....


Zac

[Doug B]

I'm game too. I've got more wood than I know what to do with, but I'm always looking to try something new.

[triplefreak]

I have lots of slightly figured black walnut, and some exotics. I really need to find someone close to me who owns a bandsaw. I have a big ole piece of Wenge in my basement.

[Leo Voisine]

I have just signed up on a pen swap at Family.

I will be willing to do it here too.

At Family, we at least were going to include a finished pen - made for the swap. Labeled with wood type, finish, name of maker, etc.

One caution - shipping international can get very expensive.

You can count me in

Who is going to orchastrate this?

There must be some guidelines.

[Gecko]

Don't forget I am still shipping pen blanks to those who want them. ;D

[sachbvn]

Nice Gecko! I've still got the ones you sent me - I've got so many blanks it's ridiculous! I need to find the time to get to 'em all - I still am looking forward to trying out that teak you sent!

Zac

[maverick31]

Mar 20, 2010 18:30:22 GMT -6 sachbvn said:

Nice Gecko! I've still got the ones you sent me - I've got so many blanks it's ridiculous! I need to find the time to get to 'em all - I still am looking forward to trying out that teak you sent!

Zac

you will like the teak. I made one with les's poly finish and it came out slick.

[maverick31]

oh and I am game, I have hickory,pecan,spalted pecan, erc, mesquite, and a few other southern type trees. I will have a ton of maple (once i cut it up, wifes grandfather cut a 30 or so ft tree down for me to make stuff with)

[Leo Voisine]

Mar 20, 2010 17:06:19 GMT -6 Gecko said:

Don't forget I am still shipping pen blanks to those who want them. ;D

Gecko,

What you are doing is really great, and commendable, however it is a one way street.

A pen swap would have many people participating and interacting. Just a little different.

Would you like to participate?

Looks like there are 4 people so far.

[Gecko]

Mar 21, 2010 6:15:19 GMT -6 Leo Voisine said:

Mar 20, 2010 17:06:19 GMT -6 Gecko said:

Don't forget I am still shipping pen blanks to those who want them. ;D

Gecko,

What you are doing is really great, and commendable, however it is a one way street.

A pen swap would have many people participating and interacting. Just a little different.

Would you like to participate?

Looks like there are 4 people so far.

Oh I understand. I think this is a great idea. Good way for you all to get different woods from all around the country and to interact as well. I was just putting out a reminder. I am not a pen turner, yet. Lathe is still buried under a pile of stuff so my end is one way. Sorry if I was out of line with my post.

[triplefreak]

I'm just throwing this out there for now. I'm sure it will get tweeked a bit here & there. Let's get everyone who's interested on a list. Then, we decide how many blanks we're going to send.
If we get 10 people, we'll draw numbers out of a hat. So, say person #1 picks #8. Then, we'll post what numbers have been picked, and which ones are left. That way, it's completely random.
Whoever picks their number sends their pen blanks directly to that person they picked the number from.


It'll look like this somehow:

Billy Bob is 1st on the list. He picks #5, who turns out to be Bobby Bill. Then, we post who Billy Bob picked, simply by saying #5 has been picked.
Billy Bob will get a message from the administrator, saying to send his box to XYZ address.
Bobby Bill picks #9, who turns out to be Sally May. Then, Bobby Bill gets a message to send his package of pen blanks to Sally May.
Then, we post that #5 & #9 are out of the running.

Etc., etc. How's that for a start?

[sachbvn]

TF, sounds good - gotta get an admin on board with it but I can't think of another "organized" way to do it.


Zac

[triplefreak]

By admin, I was talking about one of us. I suppose I could handle a simple pen blank trade. let me know via PM what you have to trade, how much you want to part with, how much you want in return (I was thinking equals) I.E. You send in 10 blanks, you get 10 blanks back, that sort of thing. If you're on board for this, post it or PM it to me.

I'll be honest & fair, because I was taught the golden rule.


You guys let me know.

[Beamer]

Fellas - the idea is great!

Any assistance ya need, feel free to ask. I don't think you'll need much of our help, honestly. Anyone who wants to head it up and organize it is fine by us.

I could see there being a lot of interest and the mods will do what we can to make it possible. Feel free to get one (or more!) swaps started, by all means!

[Leo Voisine]

I will participate, in any way shape or form.

I really don't need any more pen blanks - but I can contribute many.

I would think a revolving box. Get a box started and sent the box to the next person on the list. Take what you want - then add some, then ship to the next person - take and add - then ship, just continue.

I can start it if you want - cause I don't really need any blanks. I will get a flat rate box and put some stuff in it - and ship it to someone. I plan to add a completed pen or two along with a bunch of pen blanks and maybe a kit or two. Anybody can add what they want related to pen making. Add a spring - a tube, a tool. It's just gotta fit inside the flat rate box.

Triple - if you want to coordinate the shipping address - that sounds good to me - I can be the last name on the list.

Maybe - we can do a round two after the box returns.

There MUST be a couple of rules

1) DO NOT -- just don't do it -- DO NOT substitute a different box - especially if it get too full. Costs will go through the roof.

2) International shipping can be expensive. The person that needs to ship international (like to Canada) will need to be "willing" to do that.

3) Participants should take a pic or two - and post it with comments.

4) all pen blanks should be labeled as to what they are.

Sound good???

Jason - once we get the details ironed out - can you post a simple message across the several forum threads.

[Beamer]

I sure can, Leo!

Be glad to!

I like the rotating box idea quite a lot, too. It's got a nice "wait'n for my turn" kinda excitement about it. Put me on the list, too. I'll likely do more adding than subtracting from the box so feel free to stick me somewhere after someone without as much to stuff in the box

[Doug B]

Leo, that is a fantastic idea. I like the traveling box idea a lot. Use the exact same box every time and sign it with a date and anything else you want to put on the box.

I only have one thing that might make it work easier. A small flat rate box fits perfectly well into a flat rate envelope. That way the box inside can remain with just our little comments and such on it and the outside envelop is disposable. The cost is actually 5 cents cheaper for the flat rate envelope too so I recommend everyone add a nickel into the flat rate box along with a pen they made from someone elses wood that they got from the box, and pretty soon we can take that extra change and get together for a cup of coffee. ;D

Now, I suggest we come up with an appropriate name for "the box" too. I'm sure someone can come up with something creative. I'm not all that creative so all I can come up with to name the box is "WoW Box of Wood" aka "Wow BoW" or "BoW WoW" - it must have at least one piece of Dogwood that is always passed on with the box each time. ;D

[maverick31]

I think these are great ideas and can't wait to see how this plays out. I think doug came up with a great name and I can't think of anything better than that

[sachbvn]

I'm loving this, let me know who to pass an address on to - Doug, GREAT idea about the box inside the envelope - we could all write something on or sign the box as we get it - same box, new envelope each time. Awesome!!

Zac