Swirl Pen Mesquite

So, I took some inspiration from Kerux's Swirl Inlay technique, here’s my first attempt.

It’s a mesquite blank, the inlay is Home Depot Paint Stir Stick (Thin-ish wood I had lying around… I am not yet confident enough with my new table saw to be making 1/8” cuts… that will come later!) with a finish of Friction Polish, CA and Beeswax with a Jr. Gent. Kit in Titanium/Gold

My inlay wasn’t quite set all the way in, and I didn’t notice until after the glue had dried… so there are a couple of small voids at the corners of the inlay which I filled with CA and sawdust. After about a minute, I went over the patch with 0000 steel wool, which is what I think (?) caused the discoloration in the inlay that is very clear (exaggerated, actually) in the last picture.

So, I learned from it, and one of the things I learned most clearly is that it’s generally smarter to get an extra set of tubes for 45 cents than to go ahead and build up a pen that I’m not happy with!

Of course, I showed it to a colleague, and he thought it was great… so it will go to a good home!

-- Ryno