The six cartridge pens for mom's order

[sdb777]

I'm sure that without putting a ruler on these you might not be able to see the differences in them. Had to modify the one labeled "Tamboti", as the upper barrel was way long(0.2550" long) and I didn't realize it until after I had applied the finish(thanks Les for the tutorial). If you take notice of the photo, you'll see that the 'clicker' sticks out further then the others now, but it works just fine.

The pieces of paper are to help mom tell the receipents what they are getting, plus it helps me to remember too.

Are those good, or tacky?

Without further ado......Pictures!!!

#1: Maple Crotch(thanks goes out to Gecko...great wood)


#2: Tamboti(thanks goes out to Les in Red Deer for the tutorial on the Poly finish)


#3: Bethelem Olive Wood


#4: Black Locust


#5: Juniper(thanks again to Gecko for the wood)


#6: Bubinga(this one is my favorite)






I can only say that I'll be measuring everything before I do anything with any 'kit'! Was always under the impression that a 'kit' had already undergone some sort of QC and it was ready for assembly right out of the package....but out of the seven cartridge pens done in the last few days(almost a week), I can no longer think like that.


Critique as always is very welcome!

Scott (measure twice and swear less) B

[sachbvn]

Can't type much now, the pens ate great!

I love the black locust and bubinga - I've never seen bubinga quite like that!

Tacky? Grt the heck out, no man - they look great!! Nice save on pen #2!

Zac

[maverick31]

I like em all, but the bubinga is top notch

[Doug B]

I really like the Bubinga one best too. Man that is some nice wood! All nice Scott, and I like the cards too. People never remember what you tell them about a pen, but if you send them a pic that they can go back and look at on their computer then they can always check on it. I think they will like it too. Not tacky at all.

I'm glad your back held out long enough for you to get the order finished. I bet that is a relief, eh?

[Mark]

Scott,

Very cool. Trying my first attempt at a pen right now, so cannot rightfully be helpful or critical about your results. I can offer a couple of pointers about the cards though, from the shoes of someone who likely does not know the lingo. The cards are good, so that the recipients can brag intelligently about their prize to their friends. But, consider the following from those other shoes ...

I'd re-phrase the description, to say "Click Style Cartridge Pen".

The finish descriptions are perfectly understandable to us all, but the recipients likely will have zero comprehension of what those letters strung together really mean.

On the Maple Crotch one especially, I'd figure out a different way of describing the wood used to make it, since the recipient may have only one understanding of the word "crotch".

Now-now guys, I don't mean to start anything, but since these are for gifts to be given by Scott's MOM to who-knows-who ........

Nicely done, and thanks for showin' them off.

Mark

[Doug B]

After seeing the jokes Scott's mom sends him, I'm betting she will love being able to give someone a gift a description that includes the words "crotch" and BLO ;D

(ducking and running)

[sdb777]

Mar 23, 2010 20:43:49 GMT -6 Doug B said:

I'm glad your back held out long enough for you to get the order finished. I bet that is a relief, eh?

Not quite finished....

Still got seven(7) more to do, just waiting for the USPS to get them to me. As the tracking indicates, the should be arriving Friday.


Scott (then I have to figure out which blank to use) B

[sdb777]

Mark,

Your right! Not much else I could possible add to that....

Was trying to keep the descriptions down to a 'minimum', as the piece of paper could easily grow into a novel. And yes, the CA/BLO will be described to the MIL, so that she can tell the receipents more about them.

Still not sure whom will get what, as far as the 'gifts' go. I know I'd hate trying to figure out which pen to give to who!




Scott (crotch always equals funny) B

[sdb777]

Mar 23, 2010 22:35:28 GMT -6 Doug B said:

After seeing the jokes Scott's mom sends him, I'm betting she will love being able to give someone a gift a description that includes the words "crotch" and BLO ;D

(ducking and running)

Wrong mom, but she's a 'hoot' too!!


Scott (laid back funny) B

[deepsplinter]

I'm just not a big fan of the cartridge pens (sorry Scott).

Not that I don't like 'em, I just like to see wood top to bottom, but that's just me.

As far as the wood goes, I like the Tamboti best.




Dave (more wood) A

[sdb777]

These are the 'guy' gifts. So mom wanted to make them more 'guy orientated'.....I think?


The other seven pens and one letter opener requested(hopefully arriving today-fingers crossed) are click type with full blanks.....more wood. Really excited to do those, cause I like the 'more wood' thing too.



I'm going to sit down today and do a full explaination to help mom give a 'run down' to the receipents. Kind of a 'Here's how it's made' thingy.





Scott (cartridge pens are still fun) B

[rdabpenman]

All very nicely done Scott!
I haven't tried these kits, heard there are a lot of quality control issues.
I prefer making the ones with a real bullet nib, more authentic looking.

Les

[Gecko]

Nice looking pens! I love Bubinga. I think it is probably my favorite looking wood.
Did you try any of the bias cut Juniper? And if so, does it make enough of a difference to cut it that way?

[sdb777]

I believe that pen above is the bias cut Juniper....yup, it is, just checked the blanks.

My thinking, and others may vary, is that the wood itself is so light colored you really need the bias. Without it, you may never get the great detail that the grain gives it.... Hope that made sense?



Scott (definitely worth bias) B

[Gecko]

Made sense to me. Now those were cut at 15*, would a greater angle be better or....?
I just realized that while you are learning to turn better and better pens, I am trying to cut better and better blanks.

[sdb777]

Mar 27, 2010 9:09:15 GMT -6 Gecko said:

Made sense to me. Now those were cut at 15*, would a greater angle be better or....?
I just realized that while you are learning to turn better and better pens, I am trying to cut better and better blanks.

I would say that the tighter together the grain, the less of an angle would be needed. But it would be really difficult to know unless the endgrain was cut with a really fine toothed saw blade to reveal exactly what is underneath.

Then again, I still haven't turned any 'true' cross-cut' grain....that might be really good looking too?!?!?





Scott (better blanks = better pens) B

[Mark]

Scott - it'd be interesting to try what will amount to "face grain turning" on a spindle. It will likely chip alot, and may not have enough strength to keep from breaking once done - but worth an experiment.

Mark

[mcbryde]

They look GREAT to me, I really like the Tamboti and Bubinga woods!

E