A few pens from my lathe

I would never have thought of turning aluminum.

Anything special to consider when I do that?

How does it affect your gouges?

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

These are great pens you turned here Bill. How long have you been a turner?

I just finished up refurbishing a Jet Lathe and hope to be doing this and other things things shortly, after I go and take a lesson or two at a nearby Woodcraft store.

-- Carpe Lignum; Tornare Lignum (Seize the wood, to Turn the wood)

Beautiful assortment Bill.

-- Phil Brown, Ontario

Great looking Pens Bill

-- I've been blessed with a father who liked to tinker in wood, and a wife who lets me tinker in wood. Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †

Nice looking pens Bill.

-- Gary, Florida. http://www.penturners.org/forum/f70/servicepens-2013-a-98908/

Xavier – the Aluminum turns much like the Acrylic,, no problems with your gouges – but they must be sharp at the beginning and sharpened at the end of the turning. The Aluminum comes off in curls, much like wood, but keep in mind that it is metal and can cut you. It is a little messier than wood, but a lot of fun. I think that one of the distributors sell made up Aluminum pen blanks, I did it the hard way :-)).

PanamaJack – I’ve been turning about 15 years, and still learning. I’m afraid that I’m one of those spindle turners, have not practiced as much as I should have. I have turned a goblet in my early days and a couple of boxes – but I did not keep up with it like I should have.

Phil, Karson and Gary – Thanks for the kind words, I appreciate them.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

I am impressed with your work and appreciate your posting these; I hadn’t thought of aluminum or acrylic. Thanks!

-- John

Beautiful looking pens cajun, just drop a few at my address. lol. mike

-- (You just have to please the man in the Mirror) Mike from Michigan -

I see a few guys posting some of their pens…I have a bad camera that won’t take good close up shots. When I upgrade I will post some of the pens I have. These are very nice.

-- Steffen - Kirkland, WA

Bill, These are beautiful works of art!

-- Tom, Surfside Beach, SC - Romans 8:28

Great pens! I havn’t tried turning acrylic. Really very nice stuff!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

Tom, the acrylics turn pretty much the same as wood. The difference is in the finishing – Most of the wooden pens only sand to 600 grit – usually I can stop at 400. With the acrylic you need to get into the micro sanding pads, up to about 1200 grit – then you use a special polish (Hut makes a good one) to put the shine on them. The acrylics are available in many many different patterns now. They make fun and interesting looking pens.

-- Bill - "Suit yourself and let the rest be pleased." http://www.cajunpen.com/

Beautiful pens!

-- Jesus is Lord!

Now, I really like those. I’ve only ever done the very basic wooden pens. Never dreamed of turning Aluminium (but then we do have the extra letter ‘i’ in ours!<g>) I must give it a go .

-- Res severa verum gaudium - True pleasure is a serious business. http://www.folksy.com/shops/TreeGems

That Ambrosia Maple pen is precious. Love the look of it.

-- http://caledoniachurchofchrist.yolasite.com/