1st pen turning

[bch47]

Got my new Jet lathe last week and have practiced a little making round things out of square pieces. Made my first pen today. It is a gold twist kit, bubinga wood and Hut Crystal Coat finish. Drilled the blanks on dp with clamp holding blank and squared ends using the disc/belt sander. I can see where I should have taken the blank down a little more at center ring. Definately not on a par with other pens I see here, but maybe a good start.





This is first I have used photobucket, so we will see if it works for me.

[sdb777]

I probably wouldn't have noticed the center band unless you had told me. But sometimes we are our worse critics.

Bubinga is a fun wood to turn, and it goes pretty well with the fancy slimline kit! Now take that pen and hide it from yourself for about six monthes...then pull it out and compare it to the turnings your doing at that time.


PhotoBucket seemed to work pretty well for you.




Scott (I pulled out my first not to long ago....eck!) B

[bch47]

Wife has already critiqued the pen mistakes.

[Ruffnek]

Man, I was sure I had already replied to this thread but I guess not.

Anyway, that's a great looking pen for your first, Brian. Well done. Be sure and save it so that you can compare it to your later efforts. besides, it should be special being the first one.

[rdabpenman]

Thats a great start!
Make sure you keep this one, then you can look back
after you have made your first 1,000 pens to see how
much you have improved.

Les

[Doug B]

Great job Brian, and I agree with everyone else that you need to keep that pen for yourself - it will always be special because it was your first. Kinda like your first...well, never mind, we won't go there...

The center band on a "fancy" slim kit is a whole lot more forgiving on how you turn the barrels. You have to be careful with a flat center band like the one you made, but the fancy ones really do not have to be that careful with. The nib end is the most important to get turned to match the hardware. But, you will discover that for yourself as you get a few pens under your belt.

Congrats on your first!

[monty]

Great pen for your first one. As go do more, you'll be surprised how much better you get.
Only suggestion I can make is to learn a better finish such as a lacquer or CA finish. These will hold up better than Crystal Coat.

[boodrow]

Brian I gave my first pen to the war dept. I made one for myself once but sold it , Nice first pen , u will only get better , and u will also screw some up along the way.
Boodrow

[bch47]

I've read in here about the lacquer and ca finish. Something I am going to have to learn.

[sachbvn]

As Doug said - a flat center band is about as critical as the nib. You did an excellent job on your first Brian - especially being your first pen. Seriously - you are on the right track, the fact that you know the center could come down a little more shows you are already progressing even before you kick out your second pen.

Make sure you keep that one around - if you give it away, make sure it goes to someone who will not lose it and someone who you will be able to go back and see the first pen you ever made. You will love (and maybe hate??) seeing your first pen after you've knocked out a whole bunch and have improved. It's fun going back and comparing your work.


Nice job!

Zac