Two metal pens

[woodyturner]

Had a good day and made two metal pens both for me one in aluminium and one in brass finished with Autosol from Halfords enjoy

 

[ColeyS1]

Now that is something quite special !!!! Ive often thought of trying a metal pen. Seeing how yours have turned out really will give me the push to have a go. Top job that what do they handle like ? I kind of imagine they might feel a tad top heavy

Sent from my GT-I9300

 

[bassethound]

Lovely looking pens, what kits are they ? can those metal ones be made with most kits?,They look very classy =D>

 

[woodyturner]

I have made loads of metal pens and they handle very well also they are good sellers the single barrel kit is an aero much like the sierra or its an old kit I think from pen state USA the brass one is a jn gents from Timber bits and yes you can make up any kit with metal copper is another metal and pewter

 

[chipmunk]

Hi Woody,
Very nice pens but I have lots of questions please... :wink:

Did you turn these on your wood lathe with a normal pen mandrel?
Are you using HSS tools or your TCT tipped tools to machine the aluminium/brass?
Presumably you skip the brass tubes and drill/ream to the inside bore of the tubes?

Many thanks
Jon

 

[woodyturner]

Hi Woody,
Very nice pens but I have lots of questions please... :wink:

Did you turn these on your wood lathe with a normal pen mandrel?
Are you using HSS tools or your TCT tipped tools to machine the aluminium/brass?
Presumably you skip the brass tubes and drill/ream to the inside bore of the tubes?

Many thanks
Jon

Hi John I turn them with HSS steel scrapers or TCT steel fitted in the end of a socket set depending on what I want to use on the day yes on a mandrel and with the tubes as I haven't got any metal work machines anymore so I do them all on a wood lathe

 

[nicguthrie]

Those look simply phenomenal. Gorgeous finish - they look expensive as anything.

I've often wondered about being able to turn metal without a metal lathe, especially when metal turning "properly" is far more impersonal, what with dialling the cut to within a tenth of a mm, while the little scraper tool fitted to it does the work. I wondered if it was actually possible to get good enough control for metal. By the looks of your pens, it definitely is!

Was there any trouble with getting good control? I'd guess "Dig In" isn't a problem on metals? What abrasives did you use for finishing? Where do you get your metal stock from?

Sorry for all the questions, but you've just answered a question I'd mulled over for ages when I first bought my kit - I very nearly bought a metal lathe along with my stuff, but was scared off by the price.

Thanks for the heads up! I'm all excited now!

Nic.

 

[woodyturner]

It takes a little while to find the sweet spot for scraping metal but its not that hard no different to the first time you turn acrylic .
I only use J flex up to 600 grit if you don't use it this is the cheapest place I know of to buy it http://www.sandpapersupplies.co.uk/uplo ... change.JPG then buff on a polishing wheel with some soap on it to remove all those very fine scratches but t cut may be just as good then polish with Aotosol from halfords and assemble job done It really isn't that hard to do just takes a bit longer to do
Good luck and happy turning

 

[nicguthrie]

Thanks very much. I'll get looking into this asap

Any suggestions on good places to find metal stock to use? Pewter, copper, brass and aluminium all work similarly?

Nic.

 

[woodyturner]

I get a lot of mine on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brass-Round-B ... 336c88dc40
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aluminium-Rou ... 4ac21aff38

 

[ColeyS1]

The first (and only ) time I tried turning acrylic I had a dig in and sharp bits flew off, frightened me to death is it best to just scrape acrylic cause I was trying to use a small spindle gouge ? Im glad you're back in the workshop and I look forward to seeing more of your turnings

Sent from my GT-I9300

 

[woodyturner]

The first (and only ) time I tried turning acrylic I had a dig in and sharp bits flew off, frightened me to death :

Sent from my GT-I9300

Well I can promise you that wont happen with metal

 

[VikingAl]

Hi woody, I concur, lovely looking pens!. Quick question for you or anyone else!, I've just received, amongst lots of other goodies, some Junior Gentlemans fountain & ball pens from Timberbits. I overlooked a simple point though, what size bits do I need to bore through with?. The 2 brass tubes are different sizes, I'm guessing that one is 10mm?. Hope somebody can help me in my moment of thickness!!.

Cheers all,

Al.

 

[woodyturner]

Hi woody, I concur, lovely looking pens!. Quick question for you or anyone else!, I've just received, amongst lots of other goodies, some Junior Gentlemans fountain & ball pens from Timberbits. I overlooked a simple point though, what size bits do I need to bore through with?. The 2 brass tubes are different sizes, I'm guessing that one is 10mm?. Hope somebody can help me in my moment of thickness!!.

Cheers all,

Al.

Hi yes you need a 10mm and a 12mm all of Davids T/B pens have the drill sizes you need at the bottom of each pen page Happy tirning

 

[VikingAl]

Cheers Woody, much appreciated!.