Custom Centerband/Finial Watch Part Band-It

In a recent conversation with Ed Brown he asked if I would make a couple short videos on how I construct some of my custom parts for the new Band-It pen (my new "Go To" pen set). I had some blanks set aside for myself, that I usually end up giving away before I get around to turning them, so I thought I would put one to use. This is a silver woven fiber blank I cast with a few watch parts and face. I wish I would have put more on there but at the time I thought it might over power the fiber. The black face worked very well with the silver so I decided to construct a center band and finial to match. I'm wondering what it might look like with a small black band at the lower end just above the threads to match the center band. Maybe next time... Here's the result. I'm pretty happy with it and will probably keep it unless I have a weak moment. If you're interested in how I made the center band and finial, Ed will be posting the videos on Exotic Blanks YouTube Channel.
Thanks for looking!

I'm anxious to see the videos! - Dave

Very nice. It's one of my favorite pens too.

Tomorrow, we will add the finial vid

THANK-YOU JOHN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope this is not out of line but thought I could add a little to this discussion.

Just takes small gears and small parts. looks good. So much can be done with watch part pen blanks. One of the most versatile blanks that can command top $$$. I can see those kit pens would look great with Swarovski Crystals in them too. Also round aluminum dots like I use for some of my blanks and the imagination can run wild.

Just a couple tips I found works well when making these watch part pen blanks that could be helpful when doing the centerbands and finials and things like that. John did a nice video of his method so these are just added tips that may work for you as well. One is instead of construction paper, I like to use vinyl wraps that are used on cars. You can get in all kinds of colors and textures. I get mine from https://www.vvividhq.com/
They have very strong adhesive backing on them so no worry about gluing to tubes. Thin enough that even overlaps are not bad.

The other tip I would like to add is I found a tool that is so handy that I do not think I can do without. Found it by accident because I use alot of nail trinkets when making my blanks. Those people use wax pencils to pick up and place small items and they work so great for watch gears and crystals that I use. May want to look into them. They are inexpensive and you can get whole kits with tweezers and things Of course you can get at Amazon or Ebay or Walmart.
https://www.temu.com/ul/kuiper/un9....ent=BING_ADS:EA3251E33B6D6C127EEA37F3FE3A7A9F

John @JohnU I enjoyed your video. You're an excellent teacher.

I would easily suggest than most of your castings (feathers, etc) result in 'high end' pens, but this pen/blanks/kit is at another level IMO . That is a beauty. Thanks for sharing.

Amazing work.

Gorgeous pen John. Thanks for taking the time to record the video, which was super helpful and very clear.

Thanks to John and Ed. I watched the video last night and found it very interesting. Looking forward to the finial vid.

Thank you all for the kind comments. Like said above, there are many ways to do these type of pens. I chose common materials to use so there wouldn't have to be any special purchase to complete the task. I hope it inspires and sparks some new ideas. I would love to see them! The new Band-It at Exotic Blanks is the perfect canvas for these type of ideas. Ed will be posting other videos where I play with a couple different pen materials we use in the hobby. Since I got playing with this pen set I keep thinking of other ideas and materials to use. It's hard to stop so I can get some other work done. Lol.

Very cool! Great work and thanks for making the video (s)