Also, i have cut out blocks that I will start gluing up to create a radius-ed sanding block for the fretboard, it will have a 12” radius. It is cut out of 6 MDF pieces and once I glue it and true it, I’ll have a stable block to get the board just perfect.

And here is a shot of my helper :)

As they say, when it rains it pours. I guess that applies here as well. Because I attempted my first inlay today. It isn’t perfect and there are some spots that need a little filler but I think for my first attempt I did fairly well.

I first sawed off a couple pieces of maple and then a piece of ebony. Once I sanded those down and glued them together, I cut off thin strips which I then cut with a razor blade to fit my template. Once the glue dried, I sanded it down flush and this is what I came up with.

I have the truss rod on the way in the mail, and hopefully I will get it in soon along with the fret board. I am thinking of using some curly maple. I just need to find a really nice piece.

Tell me if I bought a giant paper weight, or if I found a steal. The motor does run, but the cord has a bit of exposed wire.

I plan on getting rid of the rust, greasing the entire thing, giving it a fresh paint job and a new table and base.
Well, here it is in all it’s glory, or gory… you tell me :)

Also, if you know what model this saw is, or a source for a manual it would be great if you could point me in the right direction.

I just recently purchased this pen starter kit from Penn State Industries
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TCLPROXX.html

And got a set of blanks

Now, what do I do? I should receive everything sometime next week, and I have never turned a pen before.
Do I need anything special besides what is being offered in the kit? do I need special bushings for each kit I want to make, or do those come with the kits when you buy them?

Hopefully i’ll have a long list of completed pens soon, and will be able to answer these questions for others.