5-Pen Set for Dad

This may be the project/gift that I'm most proud of this year. Mostly because it required me to learn a new skill, and there were so many setbacks along the way. I wish I had a little more time to make a nicer presentation box, but I just finished up with pen #5 yesterday so that is out of the question.

So here's the rundown:

Pen 1 - Slimline kit with Cherry inserts
Pen 2 - Summit Kit with Bloodwood insert
Pen 3 - Manhattan kit with Zebrawood insert
Pen 4 - American Beauty kit with Acrylic insert
Pen 5 - Bolt action kit with Cocobolo insert

I'm actually not 100% certain on that last one as it was in a mix bag of exotic/domestic hardwoods, but as far as I could tell that's what it looks like.

I learned that I really dis-like turning acrylic, despite the fact that it does look cool when finished. It stinks, it chips large pieces off, it wraps around the mandrel when turning. All bad things. When sanding the acrylic, I did find out that best result can be achieved from wet sanding with scraps that I used to sharpen my chisels with.

All pens are finished with a coat of Thin CA Glue, sprayed with accelerator, buffed with a scouring pad (from the janitors closet), and then polished with Shellawax. I've found that to produce such a nice finish, and quick, too!

I would be remiss If I didn't send a HUGE thank you to all of the LJs who helped me along with this new project.

I appreciate you stopping in to check out my work, and a Merry Christmas to ALL!