Here is a tutorial on the “Swirl” inlay that I use, but with a twist, this time I made a little jig for the table saw.
As you can see it is a small simple sled. I then took the sled and marked a line of what I thought would be a good angle for most pen blanks. I don’t know what the exact angle is… I just eye balled it. It is more than 45 degree’s of that I’m sure of.

I measure up the blank as seen here so that a little less than half the blank is covered for the cutting. (The blank is pre-cut for length for the pen kit I’m using. In this case and Atlas/Polaris/Patriot.)

I then use a couple of clamps. One for a stop block so that I get the same cut on all sides of the blank and the other to hold the blank in place while being cut.

I use my fence for pushing the sled up against. All I need to do is line up my original cut on the sled. Now just push forward until the blank is cut all the way through. Pull back, rotate the blank and repeat. And this is done until the blank has the cut on all four sides.

Normally I cut a piece of constrasting wood for the inlay and then plane it down. This time I just took some stir sticks, they fit just fine so I went for it. (The only problem was the Paduak faded into the inlay when sanded.)

To glue the inlay in place I used Thick CA then spritzed on some accelerator. And I got this little creature afterwards.

This is what the final blank looks like after cutting off the extra’s and sanding down on the disc sander.

Now, just treat it as you would any other blank that you’ve prepped for a pen. Like I mentioned previously, I used an Atlas/Polaris/Patriot kit. And here it is as it was getting rounded on the lathe.

After shaping, sanding and putting on a CA finish. This is my final product:























22 comments so far
SPalm
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949 posts in 777 days
posted 589 days ago
That is darn right clever. Thanks for showing.
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Scott Bryan
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20686 posts in 717 days
posted 589 days ago
Kerux,
So that is how you make an inlay pen!!! I have seen you post these but never really understood the process. Thanks for the tutorial. I have learned something new today.
Your instructions were concise and to the point and the photos added clarity to the process.
Thank you. I really appreciate it.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Steelmum
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347 posts in 858 days
posted 589 days ago
Wow! It is so simple when there are pictures to explain it. Thanks, that really helps.
-- Berta in NC
kenn
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217 posts in 615 days
posted 589 days ago
Thanks for posting this. I’ve got a Laguna lathe that I’m anxiously awaiting for delivery on and this looks like a great project to try it out on.
-- Every cloud has a silver lining
SteveKorz
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2030 posts in 609 days
posted 589 days ago
That is really cool…
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17) †
scottb
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3402 posts in 1222 days
posted 589 days ago
you saved me a lot of beating my head against the wall. – and I just got some atlas kits too!
Thanks for this how-to!
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://blanchardcreative.etsy.com -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
brunob
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1472 posts in 1065 days
posted 589 days ago
Thanks. I’m going to put that in my favorites.
-- Bruce from Central New York
pappyjohn
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138 posts in 608 days
posted 589 days ago
Kerux, Simply amazing, and what a great idea. I’m wondering how that technique would work for End Stand Table Legs. Whats your thoughts on it. Very impressive how you’ve utilized the Sled, your saw blade looks familiar. It wouldn’t be a Diablo would it? I look forward for some more of your teaching, I’m one person that agree’s, Never too old to learn, John
-- Your Brother in WoodWorking John, Pittsburgh , PA.
Kerux
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512 posts in 779 days
posted 589 days ago
Pappy,
On trying it on something else, never know until you try. I’m going to try it out on a ‘french Rolling pen’ and one of the coffee mug insulator thingys.
-- http://inhisgrip1.blogspot.com/
RusticElements
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166 posts in 621 days
posted 589 days ago
The education on this site never ends. This is another one for the favorites list.
-- Michael R. Harvey - Brewster, NY - RusticElementArt.com - SpaceAware.org - AnConn.com
John Gray
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1753 posts in 781 days
posted 589 days ago
COOL!!!!!!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
romansfivefive
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258 posts in 668 days
posted 589 days ago
That is so cool. Thanks. I am going to try that
-- www.robneves.com
Kerux
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512 posts in 779 days
posted 587 days ago
Thanks again everyone. I’m going to attempt to work this inlay into a French rollling pen tomorrow. Cherry with a Maple Swirl.
-- http://inhisgrip1.blogspot.com/
Blake
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2757 posts in 770 days
posted 586 days ago
Craaaaaaazy cool, man.
-- Check out my new website! http://www.blakeweberwoodworking.com
TedM
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1844 posts in 628 days
posted 571 days ago
Cool! Thanks for sharing! Added to my Favorites.
-- I'm a wood magician... I can turn fine lumber into firewood before your very eyes! - http://www.woodworkersguide.com
ryno101
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248 posts in 560 days
posted 514 days ago
Kerux,
Once again, excellent technique.
I’ve favorited this, as well as your tutorial on applying decals…
Keep these ideas coming! Brilliant!
-- Ryno
DaveConry
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39 posts in 593 days
posted 504 days ago
I wondered how you did that. Kewwwl!!!....and thanks for the tutorial!
-- Evil can only thrive when good men do nothing.......E. Burke
itsme_timd
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676 posts in 726 days
posted 253 days ago
WOW! Saw this used on Lew’s bottle stopper and now I have to try it. Thanks for the instructions.
-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA
Edward E Nock II
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42 posts in 1039 days
posted 253 days ago
I saw Lew’s Wine Stopper & he sent me over here. What an ingeneious idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I like !!!!!!!!!! I’m going to try when I get achance. It blew my mind. Thanks for sharing.
ED
-- ED NOCK
GaryBuck
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125 posts in 121 days
posted 25 days ago
Totally cool, Thanks for sharing, I was amazed and wondered how you do that.
tamboti
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38 posts in 37 days
posted 25 days ago
Hi Well done To stop darker wood bleeding into light wood apply sanding sealer, when dry sand and keep apply sealer till final sand. Sealer celulose and thinners based.
Kind Regards Roger SA
-- Always give it your best shot
a1Jim
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16851 posts in 472 days
posted 24 days ago
I like it very cool great job and a blog well done
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon