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:
-- The axe is already at the root of the tree... (Luke 3:9)
17 comments so far
SPalm
home | projects | blog
658 posts in 273 days
posted 85 days ago
That is darn right clever. Thanks for showing.
-- Stevethepeeve -- I'm no rocket surgeon
Scott Bryan
home | projects | blog
7806 posts in 213 days
posted 85 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
home | projects | blog
59 posts in 353 days
posted 85 days ago
Wow! It is so simple when there are pictures to explain it. Thanks, that really helps.
-- Berta in NC
kenn
home | projects | blog
57 posts in 111 days
posted 85 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
home | projects | blog
616 posts in 105 days
posted 85 days ago
That is really cool…
-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
scottb
home | projects | blog
2742 posts in 718 days
posted 85 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!
-- The opposite of war isn't peace. It's creation. -- Wood T's: http://www.printfection.com/snbcreative
brunob
home | projects | blog
1152 posts in 560 days
posted 85 days ago
Thanks. I’m going to put that in my favorites.
-- Bruce from Central New York
pappyjohn
home | projects | blog
138 posts in 104 days
posted 85 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
home | projects | blog
247 posts in 275 days
posted 85 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.
-- The axe is already at the root of the tree... (Luke 3:9)
RusticElements
home | projects | blog
117 posts in 116 days
posted 84 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
home | projects | blog
479 posts in 276 days
posted 84 days ago
COOL!!!!!!
-- Only the Shadow knows....................
romansfivefive
home | projects | blog
108 posts in 164 days
posted 84 days ago
That is so cool. Thanks. I am going to try that
-- www.robneves.com
Kerux
home | projects | blog
247 posts in 275 days
posted 83 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.
-- The axe is already at the root of the tree... (Luke 3:9)
Blake
home | projects | blog
1811 posts in 265 days
posted 82 days ago
Craaaaaaazy cool, man.
-- Dust collectors suck.
TedM
home | projects | blog
549 posts in 123 days
posted 67 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
home | projects | blog
51 posts in 55 days
posted 10 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
home | projects | blog
32 posts in 88 days
posted 26 minutes ago
I wondered how you did that. Kewwwl!!!....and thanks for the tutorial!
-- Evil can only thrive when good men do nothing.......E. Burke