|
|
Post by sdb777 on Apr 22, 2010 14:20:03 GMT -6
Been turning a little at a time, and gathered a few pens. Some were already completed before, but I put them in the photos too...so if you've already seen some, just ignore 'em and look at the new ones. Cartridge Pens: 30-06 Twist type  Cigar Pens  Slimline Pens: Black trim and antique trim  St. Charles Pens: Gun metal trim  Must admit, I really like the slimline kits with the antique trimming! Most of the slims are wearing that cedar I cut up, and I haven't even got to the pretty stuff yet! The cigar pens took the longest, too many problems with the constant measuring things to be sure the bushings were in the correct places....hate 'em! The fiddleback maple was actually rescued from an old flintlock rifle stock...wish I had more of it. The rifle was over 70yrs old before the fella re-stocked it with some walnut....I just was lucky enough to be in the right spot at the right time! Had three more cigars made but I got lazy and didn't photo them...they are wearing black cherry, red cedar, eastern redbud(not to proud of them anyway, nothing goes right when making these kits up-tearout on one, finish on the redbud had to be re-done....etc) Cody might recognize the spalted hackberry on the St. Charles, the cigar(wish I'd had another gun metal kit-would've looked a lot better), and also the 30-06 cartridge? That stuff sure does make a kit look nice! Thank you!! Some of these might make it to the Memphis Flea Market in Little Rock in August. But if they sell before it, I'll just have to make more!!!! Still need to make about 30 more slimlines, 10 more cartridge, 10 Saturns, and I dunno what else..... As always, comments and critiques are most welcome. Scott (lazy photographer here) B |
|
|
|
Post by sachbvn on Apr 22, 2010 14:33:11 GMT -6
Wow - Scott - I'm impressed! You've been busy too! I like that middle cigar probably the most - mesquite is it? The burn lines are nice - but no one is probably surprised to hear my praise a set of burn lines are they?  I am not a fan of the antique kits as a general rule - but I have to say that the redness in the cedar does go well with them. Nice job. To be honest.... the wood is what's important to me - and the pen will look good regardless, but sometimes deciding which color kit to use is the deciding factor in whether it sells or not. I think you've done a fine job matching your kits and woods. So.... YOU'RE the one who bought out woodturningz supply of gun metal cigar kits??? Honestly Scott (ha, coming from the guy who flubbed up a cigar pen recently) - they are fun to turn (IMO) and easier that slims in some aspects. What I do is lay out the pen blanks and busings on my tool bench (on a VIVA brand paper towel so nothing rolls away). I then crap my calipers and double check that my eyes are correct and that the bushings are in the right spot - double check that the wood is in the right spot and oriented correctly for a good grain match. I then put the bushings into the pen tubes and mount the whole thing on the mandrel. When I'm done - I take the WHOLE thing off the mandrel and put the bushings in the same order - mount up another set of blanks - put it on the lathe, then go back and assmble the first pen. Important thing here - in general, I ALWAYS have the nib of the pen oriented the same direction on the lathe - towards the headstock.... that's my preference, but if you do the same thing every times - less chance for uh-ohs. Cigars aren't bad, really - it's just that there is no room for cutting the bottom barrel too short or mixing it up with the top barrel. Those look great - nice work! Ok - while we are open to critiques - on the 30-06 group - the pen in the middle....not sure what type of acrylic it appears to be....I'm not a fan. I don't really like most acrylics - that included.....also - and I've done this myself and I can tell you - the pen has still not sold..... I made the top barrel of a .30 cal cartridge pen fat....fatter than yours - and it is just weird looking. They are best, again - only my opinion, to be turned straight....little to no taper at all. Different strokes for different folks - someone may love that, just sharing my experiences. I'd also try some antler if you haven't already - word of warning, don't breath that stuff in - Doug has passed on that it is terrible to breath. I believe it. Oh - whats that one on the far left - top photo, 30-06.... it's kind of red.... does that have a concave shape to it? Hard to tell because of the photo - it looks really neat that's for sure!! Zac |
|
|
|
Post by sdb777 on Apr 22, 2010 18:14:47 GMT -6
Thanks Zac!
We seem to do a lot of the same things, as far as mounting bushing, nib orientation on the lathe, etc.....
The cigar you mentioned has redheart for the wood.
The top 30-06 has a piece of cedar on it, just felt like making something that looked different. And I'm glad I did, cause it found something nice hidden in the wood.
The fat 30-06 pen, well that was one of the first acrylic pieces that I did. And it hasn't sold....probably due to the 'fat' profile! Live-n-learn!!!!
Scott (critiques only make me better) B
|
|
|
|
Post by Ruffnek on Apr 22, 2010 18:16:21 GMT -6
Nice collection, Scott. Frankly, I don't know which to be impressed with the most...the pens or the pics!
You really did that spalted Hackberry justice, it looks wonderful.
Cody (I hate you for your photog skills) Colston ;D
|
|
Doug B
WoW Member
[b]Rescued Firewood[/b]
Posts: 1,938
|
Post by Doug B on Apr 23, 2010 0:01:22 GMT -6
Great job on the pens Scott. And Cody is right...your pics are outstanding. Are you and Zac in a competition to see who can turn more pens? I'm glad you guys are picking up the slack while I'm abstaining from the lathe. Now I have to say that I'm not a big fan of the St. Charles kit, and I prefer the PSI cartridge click pens over those twist ones. But that's just my personal preference. |
|
|
|
Post by sachbvn on Apr 23, 2010 3:16:11 GMT -6
Abstaining from the lathe Doug? I'd rather abstain from......eh, I'm not going there!! Haha   Zac |
|
|
|
Post by sdb777 on Apr 23, 2010 4:00:43 GMT -6
Thanks!
The photo's were shot on the tailgate of the truck. Was thinking about actually assembling the 'tent', get the lights set up, and start taking photo's...but I looked outside. The light was almost perfect, sun was partially up and there were some high level clouds to filter the light.
So I grabbed a white mircofiber cloth, a cedar pen blank, and the pens. Didn't figure I had very long before the clouds dissipated.
The rest is PhotoShop Elements No#6 and Picsas3.
Work flow is simple...
#1: Auto Levels, crop, reduce noise
#2: Make a layer, select the layer, modify border to 50 pixel, paint border, then merge visible layers
#3: Open photo in P3
#4: add text
#5: Auto sharpen
Then just load to PhotoBucket....
Scott (it's got to be the camera...'coz I'd mess up a wet fart) B
|
|
|
|
Post by deepsplinter on Apr 23, 2010 5:10:46 GMT -6
You've been a busy man, Scott.
I'm with Zac on that cigar w/burn lines, my favorite. The ones on either side of it are pretty sharp, too.
The cedar slimlines...I wouldn't have guessed that you could leave a big knot in them like you did. It makes for a good look.
Thanks for sharing.
Dave (more finshed products that I've had in 2-3 years) A
|
|
|
|
Post by sachbvn on Apr 23, 2010 6:32:11 GMT -6
"mess up a wet fart" lmao - now THAT is hilarious!!!
Zac
|
|
Doug B
WoW Member
[b]Rescued Firewood[/b]
Posts: 1,938
|
Post by Doug B on Apr 23, 2010 9:39:18 GMT -6
Thanks! The rest is PhotoShop Elements No#6 and Picsas3. Work flow is simple... #1: Auto Levels, crop, reduce noise #2: Make a layer, select the layer, modify border to 50 pixel, paint border, then merge visible layers #3: Open photo in P3 #4: add text #5: Auto sharpen Oh! I didn't know you were cheating! ;D I just take lots of pics and select the one that comes out looking the best |
|
|
|
Post by sdb777 on Apr 25, 2010 5:35:23 GMT -6
Thanks! The rest is PhotoShop Elements No#6 and Picsas3. Work flow is simple... #1: Auto Levels, crop, reduce noise #2: Make a layer, select the layer, modify border to 50 pixel, paint border, then merge visible layers #3: Open photo in P3 #4: add text #5: Auto sharpen Oh! I didn't know you were cheating! ;D I just take lots of pics and select the one that comes out looking the best Can't be cheating, I only take one photo. And I'm not putting anything in the photo(other than the words/text) that wasn't already there.... Besides, you know how big the file would be if I didn't work on them? Huge! Bandwidth eatting huge 14.7Mb, instead of the 434Kb(which is still 359Kb too big to be posted at IAP) Scott (all these number this early....ouchy) B |
|
|
|
Post by boodrow on Apr 25, 2010 6:29:21 GMT -6
Scott that is a great batch of good lookin pens and the camera work is awesome. What language is that u used to describe takin pics?  Boodrow |
|
|
|
Post by sdb777 on Apr 25, 2010 7:10:42 GMT -6
Scott that is a great batch of good lookin pens and the camera work is awesome. What language is that u used to describe takin pics? Boodrow English...I think  Picsas3 will pretty much do everything, except the borders, that you see in the photo's above. And it's freeware!!! Link for the download if interested>>>>> Link <<<<< User friendly, and makes a nice photo great! The only thing any photo-editting progam won't do is fix the focus... Scott (I speakie American) B |
|
Mark
WoW Member
I sure enjoy wood-chip showers!
Posts: 139
|
Post by Mark on Apr 25, 2010 9:50:51 GMT -6
Nice lookin' families of pens Scott. You may be seein' em go in sets to purchasers, rather than in singles.
Mark
|
|
