Cortana Twist with Spectraply

New kit to me. Lost 2 blanks barrel trimming. I need to invest in one of those squaring jugs for the sander.

They look great. That's a solid kit that doesn't distract from the blank, too. I do encourage you to get a squaring jig of some sort. Penmill type trimmers have ruined many a blank.

I hate that you lost some blanks to your pen mill, but a sanding jig is definitely the way to go. Your pens look great

sorcerertd said:

They look great. That's a solid kit that doesn't distract from the blank, too. I do encourage you to get a squaring jig of some sort. Penmill type trimmers have ruined many a blank.

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Thanks!

David350 said:

I hate that you lost some blanks to your pen mill, but a sanding jig is definitely the way to go. Your pens look great

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Thanks!

I'm definitely a "bigger hammer" kind of guy. Lost 2 blanks drilling holes in the blanks (using pen jaws on the lathe). I'm not sure if I'm cranking it down too hard between the jaws or what. I feel like I clear debris often enough and drill at 450-600 RPM.

I must have lost 4 or 5 total blanks barrel trimming today. 2 spectra ply in brighter colors. One really nice blank I had set for a matching DuraClick EDC Pen and Pencil set. Maybe one or two were slim lines, of course not from the same pen.

I have an old craftsman belt/disc sander. I need to buy or make a sanding jig.

One more vote for ditching the barrel trimmer.

I hear nothing but good things about @rherrell 's sanding jig for the lathe, but I already had one of these squaring jigs from TurnersWarehouse... You use it with your disc sander and it's miter guage. You will need a set of transfer punches. If you don't have them already here is an inexpensive set from Harbor Freight. This setup works very well for me and it is inexpensive if you already have the belt/disc sander.

d_bondi said:

I hear nothing but good things about @rherrell 's sanding jig for the lathe

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I have been using Rick Herrell's sanding jig for almost a couple years. I wish I had bought one sooner. I absolutely recommend it, and I ordered it on the recommendation of many other members. For anyone reading this and thinking of an upgrade, here's a link to his special spot in the vendor forum: https://www.penturners.org/forums/ricks-custom-tools.349/