9/11 Watch Parts Pen / blank by JohnU & finial inspired by JohnU

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Found an old blank John Underhill made for me 12 years ago. He set the time at 9:11 for me when he made the blank. A date I never want to forget. I just started making pens again and had to make it. I saw a video of John doing a watch parts finial and just had to try it with this pen. A really big thank you to the Master artist John Underhill for making this pen come to fruition!
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Stunning! Really love the custom finial! Really adds the finishing polish to the overall pen.

Do you have a link to the video? I have a few watch part pens slated for turning after a couple of current projects are done. I am curious how you make a finial with watch parts, such that it will fit without issues.
 
After watching this video, have a question. When turning down with skew and then polishing, is there any problems with the finish on the kit part itself? Now that looked like a stainless kit but is there a clear coat finish on the metal that gets stripped away.? Would a different method be to build a insert off the cap and then and just fit in when done and no chance of damaging finish of metal?
 
jttheclockman said:
After watching this video, have a question. When turning down with skew and then polishing, is there any problems with the finish on the kit part itself? Now that looked like a stainless kit but is there a clear coat finish on the metal that gets stripped away.? Would a different method be to build an insert off the cap and then and just fit in when done and no chance of damaging finish of metal?
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Yeah, that was my question as well. I saw John use steel wool at first, so that's what I did. I used 4 O fine steel wool. Then went to MM 1500 up to 12000. I know John said to have the CA flat to the edges but I actually was able to puddle the thin CA up to a nice hill in the middle leading out to the edges of the finial. It took me 4-5 thin applications of CA to get there as John said to be wary of tiny bubbles if you try to put the CA in there too thick. As far as sanding, I kept checking the edges and didn't see any wear on them. I sanded very lightly as I was worried about the gold plating getting scratched. I didn't coat the top edge of the gold finial with CA, however that sounds like that may take away the worry of wearing into the plating.
 
First thing…. Absolutely Beautiful work Tim! Your masterpiece just grabs and demands attention.

As for the comment about making an insert…. When I made the video I was using the Band-It set which is solid stainless so no worry about damaging a finish, which is why I opted to make the finial in place, also it allows me to place the gears where I wanted without worrying about turning a correct diameter or making sure it all lined up. If I were using wood or colored acrylic to customize the pen I would definitely just make inserts. It's just another option that suits the material being used. I often use inserts with the C-Series rollerballs from Exoticblanks. I like that new series because it all dismantles very easily. I used to take Jr gents apart but had to make a jig and use a hammer to get the center band apart. The new C- Series is made for customizing and makes the process much easier.
 
I guess it is just another way of doing it. If I were to do this I would always do an insert. Not that big of a deal to make. I just would worry about the plating around the cap. Solid SS gives a better chance of no damage. I too like to dome it somewhat. Nice job with the pen. Watch part pens are some of the most versatile blanks you can match to any theme you like. One of these days I will do a whole bunch of themed watch parts again. Have so many watches to play with. I have plans of making myself a Ukranian themed one. Just ordered some parts.
 
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