Birth of a Pen
Published On: 11-10-2011 02:22am
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A handmade pen is a work of art and a great gift for that someone special or a treat for yourself. Ever wonder how that pen was made? Well, take a look at the steps involved and you might have a better appreciation for the finished product. It's truely a labor of love.
• Drill an 8mm-centered hole lengthwise through each blank. Spread glue over the tubes. Insert the tubes into the blanks with a twisting motion to spread the glue evenly inside, then center the tubes lengthwise inside the blanks.
• When the glue dries, square the ends of the blanks. Use an 8mm barrel trimmer or belt/disc sander to take The wood down flush to the brass tube. Place 3-4 spacer bushings onto the mandrel. Next, place an end bushing, wide-end first onto the mandrel.Then, slide on a blank, insert the center bushing, and follow with the other blank.
• Insert an end bushing, narrow-end first. Use standard 7mm bushings to fill the space to the thread. Thread the lock-nut on and hand tighten.
• Bring the tail stock snug with the mandrel (do not over tighten, it could damage the mandrel). Adjust to remove the spaces, then tighten the lock nut and lock the tail stock in place.
• Turn the wood down, flush with the bushings using a chisel and gradual higher grits of sandpaper.Finish with your choice of polish and wax (Shellawax or other).
Stop by our shop and checkout the pens Don made. You might just find that hard-to-buy person a unique gift.
