Checkerboard Pen and others

Very Nice Tom,
I need to ask, I noticed on the checkered and the Tulip there is no band. Is this your own design idea? How do you go seamless like that, your alignment is spot on. Very nice.

I like your pens. Does the checkerboard twist in the center of the pattern, or above the checkerboard? I’m assuming it is a twist-pen? I admire your innovation and shop made center band.

-- http://barbsid.blogspot.com/

Hi,
Thanks for the comments.
MrWizard,the seamless joint;when I had a really nice piece of wood I would turn the blanks without any center bushing.The curly tulip was a wonderful surprise(that’s why I kept it).If I remember I changed the kit a bit to have the broad expance of wood.
BarbS,the checkerboard twists above the center,but either way the stripes line up.
Many of the pens that I turned I played mix and match with kit components. There was a look that I tried to create. Also I would activly search for odd colors and outrageous grain patterns. The pen that I had the most fun doing was a White Oak knot. I was visiting a wood supplier and picked a broken piece of White oak out of the trash.Mostly a large knot. Guy asked why I wanted it-told him to make a pen. He was not laughing when I gave him a pen made from that knot! He treated me well and I wanted to say thanks.(all laughing aside)
tom

-- "certified sawdust maker"

Great pens, thanks for sharing.

-- Brian Brooks, Maine