Colorgrain Cigar Pencil

[Doug B]

Another first for me, this is a Cigar pencil. My wife's hairdresser is interested in a "fatter" pencil and she really likes the Colorgrain material. So, I decided to try to make a Cigar pencil using the 5/8" square Colorgrain blanks.

Man I tell you there is very, very little room for error in drilling these 5/8" blanks for a Cigar pen/pencil kit. But it worked and I was surprised at how much I like the Cigar pencil kit. I've never made one because the Cigar just does not seem to me to be a good pencil size, but all it takes is for someone to want one and I'm willing to try it.

For those of you who have not been following the discussion concerning my pen making tutorial and the pictures issue, the pics I'm including here are "thumbnails" and you can click on them to get a bigger pic that is hosted on PhotoBucket. You can click the PhotoBucket pic again and get the full sized pic. If you have any comments concerning the pics here, please let me know...this is still experimental on my part and I'm trying to find the best way to post pics here on WoW.

Here is one side of the pencil.





And here is the other side of the pencil.



Remember, you have to click on the little pic in order to see a bigger picture. Then click again and you see the full size picture. Unfortunately, it opens a new window that you will have to close out, but other than that, it seems to work pretty well.

[Doug B]

OK, my wife hates the Photobucket thumbnail pics and said I need to show the pics like I usually too for comparison purposes. I hate to admit it, but she is usually right. I still like the full size pic that is available by using Photobucket, but she says it is too much of a hassle.

Here is one side of the pencil using the old ImagShack method of posting pics:


And the other side:


So, what is the verdict? Photobucket or ImageShack?

And the answer may be different for a post like this one with just one or two pics versus what would be better for something like a tutorial with 50 pics.

[Stretch]

Well, for stuff like this, I like the full size pics, but you can do the full size pics hosted at photobucket as well, you just use a different image code. However, the image shack pics didn't load slow for me this time so whatever you like is cool. ;D

[maverick31]

I would say for the big post with 50 pics probably would load faster with thumbnails. but, I am partial to doing the easiest method so what ever is clever for you. Now to comment on the goods I do like the sw colorgrain cigar. I have debated about gettin a few of these blanks on my last few orders and just did not. Now I wish I ordered them.

[Doug B]

The Southwest Colorgrain is my favorite. I've made all of them and they all get looked at, but my 2 favorites are this one and the Festival.

I also tried one bottle stopper in SW but it is not bias cut so it kinda loses something. I think you would like the SW, and those ones that come already drilled for Slims/Saturns are great.

They do have a tendency to delaminate at the very end of the blank sometimes if you are not careful, so good sharp skew is best to use for making them. I also use thin CA on the ends after trimming to try and keep them from delaminating. The good thing is that if that happens and you can find the piece that came off, you can just glue it back on any you can never tell the difference. In fact, this cigar pencil came apart on me when I was drilling the lower barrel when the drill bit exited the blank. Pulled apart right on a seam. I thought it was ruined but thought what the heck. Taped it back together and used a bunch of thin CA inside the hole and then turned it, fully expecting to be able to see a very noticeable place where I glued it back together. However it turned out so good that only I know where the break happened, and nobody else can tell

[deepsplinter]

I like the pen (and the full size pics).

[maverick31]

good save and thanks for the tip. I think i will add a few to my next order

[sachbvn]

Not my kind of wood at all - but it's certainly a finely turned instrument!


Zac

[Doug B]

Thanks Dave and Zac.

Now, did anyone take note that this is a pencil, and it is a pencil that I like for a change? The catalog says it is new, but I know they had something before and I'm wondering if the pencil mechanism is what has changed. It advances differently than anything I've seen before - a twist of about a quarter turn advances the lead and it gives a "click" sound and then automatically returns back to where it was. The barrels stay aligned. Sometimes that is important and sometimes not depending on the wood grain. And it feels substantial and positive. I like it. The downside is the size - probably bigger than the ladies are going to prefer.

[sdb777]

I noticed the 'pencil' part, and was thinking maybe you fell down and hit your head? Wasn't even aware that a 'Cigar kit' was available in pencil??

Any plans on making the matching pen? As a 'set' it would demand attention. The wood is 'made' and would look great as a set!!




Scott (does your head feel okay) B

[deepsplinter]

Is there a big difference between making a pencil and a pen?

[Doug B]

Scott, I did not fall and hit my head...but that doesn't mean there isn't still something wrong with me

I thought about making it a pen/pencil set, but LOML and I had already talked about it and decided that I will only offer slims as pen/pencil kits unless otherwise requested. But since I've had at least this one request for a Cigar sized pencil, I wonder if there might be a few other pencil pushers that might be interested in them. I'm going to make at least one more so I can find out.

[Doug B]

Mar 24, 2010 5:11:26 GMT -6 deepsplinter said:

Is there a big difference between making a pencil and a pen?

No difference at all in making the barrels, a little different assembly but not a whole lot different. The thing is that most pencil kits really suck! And therefore it was a big deal to me that I found one that I actually like and think will hold up well too. A lot of penturners have issues with the pencil kits and most guys just won't make them. I just wanted to let everyone know that this one seems like it is worth making, at least it is worth looking at if you have someone that really wants a hand made wood mechanical pencil.

[sdb777]

Where did you get the kit from?




Scott (kit No#?) B

[Doug B]

Scott, I saw it advertised in the Penn State catalog PKBIGPCL and it says new .7mm lead which is what I got. I took advantage of being able to order just about anything from Woodturningz that is in the PSI catalog and actually got the pencil kit from them.

PSI site for them here: www.pennstateind.com/store/PKBIGPCL.html

The PSI online site still shows the kit with .5mm lead which I always thought was crazy for a Cigar pencil. By the way, PSI calls it the Big Ben and Woodturningz has what they call Cigar pens and pencils. As far as I can tell they are the same kits just with different names.

Have I ever mentioned that Cigars are one of the most confusing kits for me?!?!? They need a little extra care and I always review the instructions when I make a cigar - most other kits I usually remember how they need to be made.