Decals

[mcbryde]

Have any of you put any decals on pens yet? I am wondering what product to use. I know they make waterslide paper that you can print stuff off from your computer, just didn;t know how hard it would be to do. I am wanting to make my fatehr in law a pen, and he is a big harley guy, so thought about making a pen with the harley emblem on it.

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[Ruffnek]

Our decal expert unfortunately left the forum a few weeks ago. The process is all over the net but perhaps someone else here can explain it.

I've done it once or twice but I forget the name of the decal paper and the exact process.

[mcbryde]

I just purchased some, I'm just wondering the ease of it all.

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[Ruffnek]

Try asking at the IAP forum. If it has to do with pens, they will have the scoop on it.

[Ruffnek]

Scratch the above suggestion.

I went to the old forum to hunt for a tutorial on decal pens and saw that Dougb also has made them...and made them pretty well.

I'd suggest you wait for him to see this thread or better yet, post it in the turning forum above. He will be sure to see it there.

[mcbryde]

Thanks Ruffnek!

[Doug B]

I just now saw this. I have made several decal pens but it has been a while. It is a delicate operation and hard to get the decal to end up exactly where you want it and you don't have a lot of time to work the decal into place.

I got the decal paper at Hobby Lobby and followed the instructions that came with it. If you don't have the instructions let me know and I can scan them in and post.

I applied CA as the finish over the top and it works real well. Several coats were needed so that I couldn't feel the edge and was sure that it would not come off easily.

Here is a picture of one of the ones I made, and if you have any questions I'd be happy to try to answer them.

[mcbryde]

Doug, can the pen be put back onto the lathe to apply the CA, or does it need to be done while the pen is stationary?

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[Doug B]

Emerson,

I found it easiest to apply the decal with the pen blank(s) still on the lathe. Especially if you have 2 to match up like the 2 in my Cowboy pen. So, I always put the decals on after a single coat of CA finish had been applied (the decals use water so I wanted a good seal on the wood before putting on the decals). Then added as many more coats of CA as were needed/desired for the final finish. Then I would actually assemble the pen.

If you already assembled the pen, depending on the kit, it might be worth dis-assembling the pen and put the barrels back on the lathe to put the final CA coats on. That is a good question though...I've never tried to put a CA finish on without using the lathe. Since I like to polish a CA finish with Micro Mesh I never even thought about doing that.

I'm interested in hearing how this turns out for you Emerson.