Project Information
Got a deal on a 3/4 HP Jet 12-20 for $150 and decided to start making some pens. I made about 10 pens without CA finish. The local woodcraft dealer talked me into buying Hut finishing product which I was not impressed with. After experimenting I was able to get a descent "CA" finish from many great projects and reviews here. Now for me I have tried a few methods and really I am still working the process. This Ultra Cigar Pen in Chrome with Gold accents is from Woodcraft Item#148459.
This is made from Rosewood with a Tung Oil stain then finished with "I think" 12 coats of thin CA using accelerator. The pen was sanded dry up to 600 grit, then wet sanded with Micro Mesh to 12,000 grit after the CA was applied. I tried many bands of paper towels. In fact my wife said she got strange looks at the grocery store when she bought 5 single different brands of paper towels. Every brand acted as an accelerator when applying the CA finish. So what I found when cutting up slices of paper towels I use 2 different pieces for each blank. I decided I like putting the CA on the paper towel then sliding the paper towel over the blank. Then repeat with a new small piece of paper towel on the other blank. Spray accelerator and repeat. What I have found is if you apply it this way you need more than 6-8 coats. I will likely go up to 20 coats. If I applied the ca directly to the blank I only have to apply about 6-8 coats. But I liked the way the thin CA went on when sliding the paper towel over the pen blank. Just my preference. I did try wax paper and parchment. I did not like either as it went on blotchy and rings were left on the blank.
Anyway after the final CA application I wet sanded with the micro and came out nice and shiny. I added 2 coats of plastic polish to add a final sheen. I am pretty happy with it, but see where I could have done better. I have 4 other pens I did with CA and they came out pretty nice as well. But I figure a few more and I will have my process nailed down.
