Had to turn something...

[Doug B]

Spalted Shedua Oak compliments of my good friend Boodrow. Thanks Boodrow, this is some really interesting wood. I really like the way this one turned out.

I've really been wanting to try this spalted Oak out ever since Boodrow sent it to me, and tonight I had the excuse to get it done. A customer called and said that his pen that he bought from me got stolen. Man I felt bad, but that is one thing I cannot guarantee against. So he wants me to make another one just like it. Got all the pen turning stuff stashed away while I'm doing flatwork, so I needed to make a dry run to make sure I still could make a pen and there was that spalted Oak all glued up and ready to turn...so I got a round tuit!

Sure felt good turning the lathe on again too. I got the replacement pen glued up today and will turn it tomorrow. I gave the guy $5.00 off because I felt bad for him and it was not that long ago he bought that pen...that was about the best I could do. That really sucks that someone would steal something like that.

Anyway, it gave me a great excuse to break out the penturning stuff again...and here is a nice Antique Brass Saturn kit with that great spalted Oak from Boodrow.

[sdb777]

I always tell the person that is buying to keep an eye on there new purchase....someone out there is always thinking that they are entitled to the things the haven't earned!!


That wood goes so well with the antique finish of the kit, you'd think it was made just for it!?!?!?



Scott (Doug's just a softie....$5 off, hehehe) B

[maverick31]

that is a great lookin pen. I love the antique finish. That spalted oak goes perfectly with it.

[sachbvn]

That's a nice looking pen - I've got some stuff Boodrow sent me, I need to get my act together and get some of it spinning!

Too bad the guy's pen got stolen - I'm not surprised though...... our pens are probably like leaving an unlocked BMW in a parking garage....... just an invitation to be stolen!


Zac

[Ruffnek]

Too bad the guy got his pen stolen but kudos to you. Someone willing to pay for one of our creations is a big compliment but someone willing to steal for it is an even bigger one! ;D

Love that Shedua Oak and the antique kit together.

[rdabpenman]

Great looking Writing Instrument Doug.
Nice match with plating to complement the timber.
Excellent fit and finish.

Les

[Doug B]

Thanks guys!

Yes, that spalted Oak was perfect with the Antique Brass kit. I'm really liking that plating on the pen kits.

The guy who got his pen stolen lives in El Paso and I've never even met him in person. He saw one of my cartridge pens that I sold to a guy in El Paso and called me. I emailed him a link to my pics on Flickr and he saw a pen he liked and sent me the money - talk about a trusting guy. So, I feel I owe him a little more than most customers just because of the situation. He has already sent the check for the second pen. The least I could do was give him my standard multiple pen discount...wish I could do more...and I'm still trying to think of something...Any ideas?

[sachbvn]

Have anything just hasn't sold that you wouldn't mind parting with? Could be a real nice gesture - but very unnecessary. Hmmm.... that's all I got.

Zac

[Doug B]

Apr 29, 2010 19:12:55 GMT -6 sachbvn said:

Have anything just hasn't sold that you wouldn't mind parting with? Could be a real nice gesture - but very unnecessary. Hmmm.... that's all I got.

Zac

That's kinda what I'm trying to come up with...maybe a slimline for his wife? Matching wood to go with his...Might be good for future business...I'm just not sure about this one...I don't even know if he is married ;D

[sachbvn]

Even if he isn't married - he could certainly pass it along. Sometimes "free" is only partially free - you can recoupe the expense rather quickly sometimes.


Zac

[maverick31]

zac may be on to something here. I know you will figure out something cool to do for the guy either way.

[Doug B]

OK, here is the replacement pen. Bloodwood Cartridge. Chrome kit except for the nib, which is from a Gold kit. That was what the customer bought and that is what I will replace for him. In fact it may be hard to tell the difference between this pen and the one he got stolen from him.



I decided to go all out and make a matching Bloodwood slimline to send with the replacement pen. Got the tubes glued in for the slim tonight using the same piece of Bloodwood that the replacement pen is made from.

I thought about sending a pen that I would like to get rid of, but this guy is a lawyer and I just did not think that was the right thing to do. I hope he will send some more business my way by doing this. Hopefully I am making the right decision, but worst case I will be out $2.00 for a slim pen kit and the Bloodwood, which is expensive, but I have been working off the same 10' piece for a couple years now so it has paid for itself many times over already. And, who knows, I might just get some more high end business by doing this. If not, I'm still OK with doing this.

[sachbvn]

Doug....you know the picture is a cartridge pen, right? It's still early - I just woke up and am one-eyeing the computer, I likely missed part of what you said..... eh.....

Anyways - the amount of happiness you are going to bring that guys is WELL worth the 2 bucks you are out on the kit.... don't worry about it. Think of all the charity raffles you would be willing to donate an item too - yes you can deduct those at tax time, but still.... you wouldn't think twice about donating it..... this is a good (honest) customer. I think you made the right decision, easily.


Zac

[Doug B]

Yeah, you need to go get that first cup of coffee Zac

The cartridge pen is the replacement for the one he got stolen, and it is exactly like the one he had previously bought. The slimline that I am sending with this pen has not been made yet...just got the tubes glued up so that I can turn it today. Hopefully I will receive his check today and send the pens off.

[Doug B]

And now here is the complete set that I sent out today. Same stick of Bloodwood was used for both the Cartridge pen and the slimline. I used a Lacquer dip finish on the Cartridge pen, but the slimline has a CA finish on it because I did not have the time to do the Lacquer dip on it. Bloodwood is one of those woods that I sometimes have issues with when doing a CA finish, but the slim worked OK.

[sdb777]

Great looking combo!!!! He is gonna pee all over himself!!!




Having never done the Lac-drip method....how long does it take to dry completely?





Scott (you the man Doug) B

[Doug B]

Scott, I probably wait longer than I have to, but I make sure it is really dry before handling it. At least a couple hours before the next dip, and usually overnight before assembling the pen. I usually put at least 3 coats on, but this one looked so good after 2 dips that I stopped while I was ahead. I almost always get a couple of dust nibs or other minor flaws in the first 2 coats, but I think 2 coats is plenty.