| Project by kenn | posted 341 days ago | 422 views | 0 times favorited | 11 comments |  |
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My youngest daughter has been playing piano for about 10 years. The piano is right above my shop so I often get to enjoy her practicing while I’m woodworking. When I saw these piano pen inlay kits, I knew I had to give them a try. I made one for her and one for her piano teacher and one for the scrap pile.
We don’t often post our screwups on lumberjocks, but I thought I’d share my expensive lessons learned photo. That third picture was my first attempt. I lost a black key during turning but was able to mostly recreate it with CA glue and wood chips. Unfortunately the CA glue led to the black bleeding throughout the holly. Then I had a white key pop out while turning. Ultimately I put finish on it just to see what it would look like and regrouped.
To successful turn these, my advice is lay open the holly inlay like a book, coat all areas where the keys mate with thick CA, carefully but quickly place the holly in the rosewood, coat the tube with glue and insert it, hold the whole gluey mess together with gloved hands until its dry. Then I flowed thin CA glue everywhere I could, turn at a little slower speed- I used about 800 rpm, use freshly sharpened tools, take small cuts, take your time, use a scraper to clean up the finished pen- I used a sharp skew, then skip to the finest sandpaper you feel you can use- I went to 400 grit to start then went up through the micro mesh to 12000.
-- Every cloud has a silver lining
11 comments so far
Karson
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25793 posts in 1293 days
posted 341 days ago
DOes the keys go all the way through to the other side. Or are they only visable on one side?
Nice looking.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †
Kerux
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512 posts in 777 days
posted 341 days ago
Wow kenn, you really had the time with the pens. Glad you finally got the better of them. I didn’t seem to have the problems you had, the insert pens can be a challenge. I’ve been afraid to try the ‘puzzle’ pen. I’ll let you go first. :)
-- http://inhisgrip1.blogspot.com/
kenn
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217 posts in 613 days
posted 341 days ago
Karson, the keys are only visible on one side. I bought mine here http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Pen_Making___Pen_Blanks___Pen_Inlay_Kits___pen_inlay?Args= The kit comes with a square piece that you drill and make the pen body. You also get a predrilled, round piece that has been laser cut for the holly inlay which is also laser cut. they are fun, a bit of a challenge, and quite amazing to look at. Thanks for the interest.
-- Every cloud has a silver lining
RichardB
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69 posts in 382 days
posted 341 days ago
Ooooh! I like these!!
For whatever reason, I’m just not into pens, but these are totally cool!
trifern
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7894 posts in 660 days
posted 340 days ago
Great looking pens, Ken. Thanks for sharing.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
dustygirl
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767 posts in 621 days
posted 340 days ago
What great gifts.That should make them very happy.
-- Dustygirl..Hastings,Ontario.. How much wood can 1 gal chuck if 1 gal can't cut wood?
rayzir
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15 posts in 444 days
posted 337 days ago
Those are sooo cool. I’d like to try my hand at turning pens. Nicely done!
-- Travis (http://www.scrollsawgoodies.com)
rikkor
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11335 posts in 767 days
posted 337 days ago
Wow, expensive mistake, very nice recovery.
itsme_timd
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676 posts in 724 days
posted 271 days ago
This project popped up on the front page today…
I’ve always wanted to try some of these great inlay kits – the puzzle one is very neat, and the flag, and the piano… I like ‘em all! But I’ve been scared of destroying one. Thanks for messing one up for us, it was nice of you to do that as an investment in educating us other jocks. I’ll definitely use your tips when I try my hand at one of these.
The finished pens look fantastic, I’m sure the recipients were very pleased.
-- Tim D. - Woodstock, GA
borlak
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9 posts in 41 days
posted 40 days ago
very creative :)
a1Jim
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16684 posts in 470 days
posted 40 days ago
cool pens
-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop Southern Oregon