| Project by MarkWilk | posted 434 days ago | 430 views | 0 times favorited | 8 comments |  |
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So, I have been envious of Kerux’s logo pens ever since his first post. I finally set about finding the decal paper and clear coat and time to try a few.
My first prototype taught me a valuable lesson. “Clear” doesn’t mean permeable, so the clear logo set onto unfinished stock is not going to let the finish seep through. I did a Polaris pen with my wife’s logos on it, but set the decals on unfinished Maple Burl. Lovely wood, just not very appealing.
The second prototype taugh me a second valuable lesson. CA doesn’t build up without allowing for drying time. I put three coats of CA on the stock of the second pen, but misjudged the amount of clearance that it allowed on top of the decal. My extra finishing ended up smudging the logo a bit. Notice the fractured “g.”
The final pen taught me the best lesson. Wives still don’t enjoy pens. I finished my wife a great cigar pen in Pink Ivory with her company logo. When I gave it to her, Kris’ only comment was “oh, how nice.” Then, the pen disappeared in a gigantic purse never to be seen again.
I’ll be doing more, but not for wives…
-- Mark, Florida, http://penturner.wordpress.com/
8 comments so far
Steelmum
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347 posts in 856 days
posted 434 days ago
Interesting process. I don’t think I have ever seen this before. Pretty cool and lots of possibilities.
-- Berta in NC
tooldad
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454 posts in 609 days
posted 434 days ago
wives? is that legal where you live :)
David
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1982 posts in 1033 days
posted 434 days ago
Mark -
Great looking pens and some interesting lessons about decals.
I posted a Decals for Woodworkers series on my blog. I think this is a great way to accent our work. I’ve used both white and clear decals with good success.
David
The Folding Rule
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
MarkWilk
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183 posts in 770 days
posted 434 days ago
David – thanks for the comments and for a phenomenal blog entry about decals. Great work and a terrific blog. It’s on my list of favorites.
-- Mark, Florida, http://penturner.wordpress.com/
trifern
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7894 posts in 661 days
posted 434 days ago
Nice looking pens, Mark. Thanks for sharing.
-- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
David
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1982 posts in 1033 days
posted 434 days ago
Mark -
One more for you to consider, especially if you are making logo pens with clear decals. I made a neckerchief slide for my son using a clear decal embedded in several layers of spray lacquer.
I am looking forward to more of your pens!
David
The Folding Rule
-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com
Kerux
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512 posts in 778 days
posted 434 days ago
Hey,
I like what your are doing. Glad to see my blog helped someone out. Now, to get those pesky wives out of the way.. heh heh.
-- http://inhisgrip1.blogspot.com/
MarkWilk
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183 posts in 770 days
posted 433 days ago
Kerux – your blog rocks! My biggest problem is patience. I am so used to getting two or three pens started and finished in the same afternoon, that I rushed through the first two. Live and learn.
The logo pens are catching fire at work. Everyone wants one!
-- Mark, Florida, http://penturner.wordpress.com/