| Project by MarkWilk | posted 84 days ago | 81 views | 0 times favorited | 2 comments |  |
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A friend at work asked for a new pen, and I was dying to try the new Tycoon pen from PSI. I bought a few kits from Woodturningz.com because they discount and have the best customer service anywhere I’ve bought kits.
The pen on the right is a Tycoon in Rhodium/Platinum with a body turned from Camphor. The wood shaves off beautifully, has wonderful burls and inclusions, and polishes very well. During the lathe time and even now, the camphor gives off an interesting scent, probably from an internal oil. It’s familiar, but unique. Try it today. It really took the polish well.
The Comfort Pencil on the left is with a leftover scrap of Zebrawood that also turned easily. I write with these pencils all the time at work, and typically give them away to other pencil users. No one should have to write with a bad pencil!
-- Mark, Florida, http://penturner.wordpress.com/
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2 comments so far
scottb
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3060 posts in 864 days
posted 84 days ago
Nice looking pair.
I snagged a few pieces of Camphor from the traveling pen swap. (thanks Karson!) Didn’t know much about it, or some of the others so I looked them up online. I was surprised to read about Camphors medicinal and culinary use. Also that the smell wards off snakes and reptiles and can even prevent rust. sounds like something we should all keep in the shop! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camphor
glad to hear how nicely it turns, looking forward to giving it a spin!
Good to hear those pencils work so nicely too, I’ve made two of the slimlines that came with my first starter kit from PSI, and both stopped working within days. much better luck with the pens, though I tend to upgrade the ink cartridges.
-- I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso -- http://snbcreative.wordpress.com/
MarkWilk
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120 posts in 414 days
posted 84 days ago
I liked the Camphor so much that I built one for myself with another Tycoon kit. I’ll also try it with an Atlas pen. I didn’t know that the Camphor had so many great qualities. Thanks for the link.
The pencils don’t easily take new lead. I actually had to call PennState’s customer service team to get some help. Most of the pencils that I’ve built are still “in service,” but I don’t think that the kits are the best quality. I’m going to order some new pencils from Craft Supplies USA for next time.
-- Mark, Florida, http://penturner.wordpress.com/