| Project by MarkWilk | posted 440 days ago | 232 views | 0 times favorited | 4 comments |  |
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I had some extra time in the shop this weekend and turned quite a few new pens.
Here’s the new Camphor Tycoon that keeping for myself. Love the kit and the wood. My mandrel seems a little off, as it looks like the cylinders are not perfectly round. Might be time for a tune-up.
The other pen pictured is a Box Elder Classic in blue. The finish of the kit was great, but I would have liked a better fit. The pieces don’t screw together quite so well, and the materials were a bit “tinny.” I need to step up to better kits in the future.
I started using Renaissance Polish on these kits and was very disappointed in the gloss on the finish. First, it’s not a real friction polish, so I don’t know if it should be applied on the lathe. Second, the sheen is nearly non-existent. I really enjoyed working more with Shellawax. If anyone has experience working with Renaissance Wax, I could use some pointers.
-- Mark, Florida, http://penturner.wordpress.com/
4 comments so far
trifern
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7894 posts in 661 days
posted 440 days ago
Nice looking pens. I am especially fond of the box elder burl. Thanks for sharing.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
Nils
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138 posts in 758 days
posted 440 days ago
Nice pens! That Camphor burl sounds like it’s a pleasure to turn, due to the scent.
Regarding the finish, I’ve mostly been using the CA/BLO technique, which is pretty easy and leaves a nice shiny finish. I started with Shellawax but was always disappointed in the finish – not shiny or substantial enough. Not that the CA leaves a heavy finish, but it’s definitely there, unlike the Shellawax in my experience.
-- Nils Davis, Menlo Park, CA
ryno101
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248 posts in 559 days
posted 440 days ago
Very nice… I have a bit of camphor in the shop, I’m hoping I’ll have some shop time coming up soon, but it’s not looking promising!
My preferred finish is a three step process, but I’ve found that it’s got the best long-lasting shine… most people won’t end up polishing or re-finishing a pen once it’s been given, so I’ve been experimenting to find the best…
Step 1: HUT friction polish – comes in a bottle, super easy, spread and polish on the lathe.
Step 2: CA – thin CA tends to bead up on the finish, so I apply a line down the tube, turn the lathe by hand with a paper towel under the blank for one turn, then quickly turn on the lathe and get that CA hot and dry.
Step 3: HUT PPP sticks – nice durable wax, start with the low gloss, and then the high gloss.
The finish is great. Super sheen, durable, doesn’t dull after 2 weeks of actual use…
-- Ryno
MarkWilk
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183 posts in 771 days
posted 440 days ago
Ryno – thanks for the tip. I’m going to give that a whirl. I have all the pieces, but never put them together in that order.
I love the PPP sticks, and usually use them first, rather than at the end. I’ll give it a shot on my next pen this weekend.
-- Mark, Florida, http://penturner.wordpress.com/