Pen finishing - advice requested

[Ian down london way]

I am making a few fountain pens (using the somewhat over-priced Axminster Artisan fountain pen kits).

My usual finish is to seal the shaped blanks, then apply some wood turners polish, and let the friction do the work. However, I saw some while back recomendations to use a spray lacquer (hum, had to look up how to spell that!), but I can't find the posting now.
Can anyone make a recomendation of a product that works well with such small (rotating) items?

Second point. I know there have been some recomendations on other pen kits, like a source from Australia. I had assumed that I would need to also buy the bushings to match the kits. But would I have to also buy a mandrel to take the bushings? Are bushings mandrel specific? I mostly like to make fountain pens, but also clutch pensils, so recomendations of kits would be very welcome.

Happy Christmas!

 

[Froggy]

Hi Ian I buy kits from America and use their bushing on an Axminster mandrel no problem. I would think all mandrels and bushes are a standard size. As for the finish I use tung oil and seal with super glue. But I'm sure there are plenty of other ways and products to finish with.

Cheers Froggy.

 

[Ian down london way]

Super glue before the tung oil ?

I've used super glue to help stabalise dodgy wood before, but that's all.

How do you apply the super glue?

 

[Froggy]

No after the Tung Oil. I put it on a clean rag, wait a while for the oil to dry and then smear across the pens parts very quickly to avoid any build up in one area. Then I use a curing agent (Chestnut I think) to dry everything quickly so that I can carry on without a delay. The super glue gives the pen an almost plastic coating for protection.

 

[nev]

Have a look for you tube videos for pen finishing with CA, you will find a few.(or CA/BLO or BLO/CA)
CA = cyano acrylate = superglue. (and CA/BLO = CA / boiled linseed oil.
There is a knack to it so have a bit of practice. (its applied whilst spinning)
Personally I only have success with it when using boiled linseed oil too, but thats probably just me but the BLO does make the grain show nicely on the first coat.

 

[Teepeg]

Regarding your second question 99% of bushes fit on the same mandrel ..

 

[Lons]

Hi Ian
Loads of videos on youtube showing CA process but I suggest you join http://www.penturners.co.uk/ where you'll get as much help and advice as you can handle. It is a bit of a nuthouse though and you'll get sucked in so be warned. :lol:
cheers
Bob

 

[Froggy]

Thanks Bob I used the link and have joined. They seem to be a bunch of nutters - in a nice way!!

 

[Lons]

Thanks Bob I used the link and have joined. They seem to be a bunch of nutters - in a nice way!!

Not me though :lol: