A Grumble

[Hippie3180]

Growing up when something didn't go as planned my mama used to tell me "sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug."

Have you ever spent hours on something and been so proud of the results only to notice things aren't as perfect as you thought? We spent all weekend on these two pens only to discover in the end there are minor imperfections. So disappointing! I'm trying to realize this had nothing to do with our abilities, it's just one of those things, but it's just SO darn frustrating. (It appears that sanding dust is trapped within the finish.)

I don't think we talk enough about the ones that "got away." I think customers think every time we set out to make a pen that's it's a "win." That each one is a success, I'm not sure they realize that included in the price of each pen are the lessons we've learned along the way, the sections we were almost finished turning..only to get a catch, the fingers we glued together, the wood blank we sanded through, the threads that somehow came out wonky, the trial and error it takes to find the right finish. Hours and hours of on the job training, hours of frustration and failure, hours of honing our skills. Some days I am thoroughly frustrated with the journey and wonder what in the world I'm doing? Other days, I'm on top of the world and so proud of how far I've come.

I know sanding dust has nothing to do with my abilities, but the frustration level is SO real when you've put so much effort and heart into something, only for it to be unsellable. I mean it's not the first time, it happens more than anyone realizes, but I guess it's all part of the learning curve, and in the end it takes resilience to stick with something long enough to master it.

 

[bugradx2]

If it's any help I'm not seeing the dust in your photo. You do great work.

We all have issues. I keep these pieces on my desk to remind me to pay attention. The two pieces of mallee are from a time I couldn't figure out what was wrong with my disc sander and kept chasing "square". Turns out the machinist square I was using for machine setup had been knocked out of square and I didn't catch it. (literally and figuratively when it hit the floor) I wound up just using them as experiment pieces for finishing.

The other piece is a reminder to make sure I get good glue coverage or I'll ruin my niece's pen.

Honestly, they're good to fidget with while on conference calls sometimes too.

 

[jttheclockman]

Just chalk it up to another lesson learned. No matter how many times you do something or how old you become we all still learn to the day we pass on. No big deal. The harder it is to correct a problem the better the lesson.

 

[howsitwork]

I have an 8" YEW bowl which is heavily epoxied back together to remind me of the time it split as I did a "last cut" , bounced off my new face mask,cleared the car and let a deep cut in a hardwood internal door. My wife came through to find me standing slightly stunned whilst the half " scyth " left on the lathe , doing 1000rpm on the faceplate-slowed down as I'd hit the off button.

I didn't turn again that evening . Found the bits and stuck them back together to remind me. I did turn it again . It's still a horrible bowl , no form as such but a damn good safety lesson even after 30 years.

Enjoy the journey as well as the results Michelle

Sometimes you're the pidgeon , sometimes you're the statue , both have their place in life

 

[Hippie3180]

If it's any help I'm not seeing the dust in your photo. You do great work.

We all have issues. I keep these pieces on my desk to remind me to pay attention. The two pieces of mallee are from a time I couldn't figure out what was wrong with my disc sander and kept chasing "square". Turns out the machinist square I was using for machine setup had been knocked out of square and I didn't catch it. (literally and figuratively when it hit the floor) I wound up just using them as experiment pieces for finishing.

The other piece is a reminder to make sure I get good glue coverage or I'll ruin my niece's pen.

Honestly, they're good to fidget with while on conference calls sometimes too.

I have a whole collection of "misfits" they are the pens I use. Non of them are so bad that they are unusable, just various small imperfections that I feel I can't sell.

 

[Hippie3180]

I have an 8" YEW bowl which is heavily epoxied back together to remind me of the time it split as I did a "last cut" , bounced off my new face mask,cleared the car and let a deep cut in a hardwood internal door. My wife came through to find me standing slightly stunned whilst the half " scyth " left on the lathe , doing 1000rpm on the faceplate-slowed down as I'd hit the off button.

I didn't turn again that evening . Found the bits and stuck them back together to remind me. I did turn it again . It's still a horrible bowl , no form as such but a damn good safety lesson even after 30 years.

Enjoy the journey as well as the results Michelle

Sometimes you're the pidgeon , sometimes you're the statue , both have their place in life

Man, sometimes turning is scary and those times are definitely learning experiences. Glad you weren't hurt. I've had some of those kinds of experiences with pens, unfortunately. Being self taught is an adventure every day.

 

[Todd in PA]

After making pens for a year, I got the Yips. I think my success rate was something around 20-25%. It lasted a long while.

I'd say my success rate in the last 12 months is 90%. Still, that's about 25 pens in the scrap bin.

I've also had to learn to abort a pen early rather than completing every one and then hearing myself say "Gosh Todd, you knew 4 steps ago that you weren't going to be happy with this one."

 

[Hippie3180]

We use a wood lathe so nothing is as precise as a metal lathe or cnc. Sometimes things just go south. I was feeling like it happens pretty regularly, and it seems to come in spurts, of course in the recent months we've added ink windows, finials, clips and now are more consistently working on wood fountain pens (we've done a few early on, but now are concentrating on them.) I guess it's to be expected when you are adding a new skill set. Dust in your finish is just such a bummer on an otherwise beautiful pen though. We have no dust collection and even then I think it just happens sometimes.

Yes,learning to access if a pen is worth continuing on with is also a skill you develop that's for sure. At least we can look back and see improvement, but it's still a bummer to go through a phase of making rejects.

 

[bugradx2]

We use a wood lathe so nothing is as precise as a metal lathe or cnc. Sometimes things just go south. I was feeling like it happens pretty regularly, and it seems to come in spurts, of course in the recent months we've added ink windows, finials, clips and now are more consistently working on wood fountain pens (we've done a few early on, but now are concentrating on them.) I guess it's to be expected when you are adding a new skill set. Dust in your finish is just such a bummer on an otherwise beautiful pen though. We have no dust collection and even then I think it just happens sometimes.

Yes,learning to access if a pen is worth continuing on with is also a skill you develop that's for sure. At least we can look back and see improvement, but it's still a bummer to go through a phase of making rejects.

I didn't take a photo of the "should have done that better" pen that's on my desk for some reason.

Dust collection - it's very difficult with a lathe and I've not gotten a good process for it yet. Not sure many people really feel like they have a good process for it actually. Not like other machines at least. One thing I've done is make myself stop and vacuum everything up nicely prior to doing any finishing. A quick rub down of the blank may be needed depending on the wood you're using too.

I have an air cleaner that sits below the ceiling that does a nice job at cleaning the air. They're not perfect but they certainly are handy. I got mine from WEN.

Generally speaking, I can tell you that my level of satisfaction in my shop has gone way up in the last few years now that I have a dust collector. I have a very small one but because it's small, on wheels and quiet I find myself using it all the time. Hooking suction up to my random orbital sander last year was life changing. I've even gone so far as to close off any gaps in my table saw (contractor style) to catch dust in it too. All the rest of the tools except the miter saw get hooked up to dust collection before I use them now. It makes a huge difference to know I don't have to clean the shop as often. I'd try to see if you can find something and put it in place. My shop is a postage stamp and I'll get rid of other tools before I get rid of my dust collector now.

 

[WriteON]

Growing up when something didn't go as planned my mama used to tell me "sometimes you're the windshield, and sometimes you're the bug."

Have you ever spent hours on something and been so proud of the results only to notice things aren't as perfect as you thought? We spent all weekend on these two pens only to discover in the end there are minor imperfections. So disappointing! I'm trying to realize this had nothing to do with our abilities, it's just one of those things, but it's just SO darn frustrating. (It appears that sanding dust is trapped within the finish.)

I don't think we talk enough about the ones that "got away." I think customers think every time we set out to make a pen that's it's a "win." That each one is a success, I'm not sure they realize that included in the price of each pen are the lessons we've learned along the way, the sections we were almost finished turning..only to get a catch, the fingers we glued together, the wood blank we sanded through, the threads that somehow came out wonky, the trial and error it takes to find the right finish. Hours and hours of on the job training, hours of frustration and failure, hours of honing our skills. Some days I am thoroughly frustrated with the journey and wonder what in the world I'm doing? Other days, I'm on top of the world and so proud of how far I've come.

I know sanding dust has nothing to do with my abilities, but the frustration level is SO real when you've put so much effort and heart into something, only for it to be unsellable. I mean it's not the first time, it happens more than anyone realizes, but I guess it's all part of the learning curve, and in the end it takes resilience to stick with something long enough to master it.

If everything came out perfect we'd be on TV. Sometimes the windshield, the bug. We ask for rain and get mud with it. It's the love of the good stuff that keeps us going

 

[leehljp]

Michelle, I enjoyed reading your rant. And this isn't the first or second time I have read the same basic rant on this forum in the past 20 years. But this rant comes from those who do not settle for seconds. It comes from those who are masters or become masters of this pen making process.

I occasionally get a disagreeing feed back concerning one of my tag lines, but it is one I learned years ago: "Good is the enemy of Best." So Don't settle for less! You have my admiration and others as well!

 

[Hippie3180]

If everything came out perfect we'd be on TV. Sometimes the windshield, the bug. We ask for rain and get mud with it. It's the love of the good stuff that keeps us going

It really is the promise of a success, and finding out what's within that blank.

 

[Hippie3180]

Michelle, I enjoyed reading your rant. And this isn't the first or second time I have read the same basic rant on this forum in the past 20 years. But this rant comes from those who do not settle for seconds. It comes from those who are masters or become masters of this pen making process.

I occasionally get a disagreeing feed back concerning one of my tag lines, but it is one I learned years ago: "Good is the enemy of Best." So Don't settle for less! You have my admiration and others as well!

It can be super frustrating when you go through a stint of "learning experiences" sometimes it makes you second guess your abilities and whether or not you are meant for this, but in the end tenacity keeps you going.

 

[Tanner]

I didn't take a photo of the "should have done that better" pen that's on my desk for some reason.

Dust collection - it's very difficult with a lathe and I've not gotten a good process for it yet. Not sure many people really feel like they have a good process for it actually. Not like other machines at least. One thing I've done is make myself stop and vacuum everything up nicely prior to doing any finishing. A quick rub down of the blank may be needed depending on the wood you're using too.

I have an air cleaner that sits below the ceiling that does a nice job at cleaning the air. They're not perfect but they certainly are handy. I got mine from WEN.

Generally speaking, I can tell you that my level of satisfaction in my shop has gone way up in the last few years now that I have a dust collector. I have a very small one but because it's small, on wheels and quiet I find myself using it all the time. Hooking suction up to my random orbital sander last year was life changing. I've even gone so far as to close off any gaps in my table saw (contractor style) to catch dust in it too. All the rest of the tools except the miter saw get hooked up to dust collection before I use them now. It makes a huge difference to know I don't have to clean the shop as often. I'd try to see if you can find something and put it in place. My shop is a postage stamp and I'll get rid of other tools before I get rid of my dust collector now.

Yeah, exactly what I do. Before finishing I vacuum up everything then blow the lathe and lights off. Vacuum the floor. Wipe down the blank and lathe, lathe handles and upper lathe areas with DNA. I keep my paper towel holder in a closed cabinet to make sure it stays clean. I was a combat medic and helped the doctors a lot and learned long ago to have a sanitized surgical field. With what we do now, there can always be stuff floating around.

 

[Hippie3180]

I vacuum very often during turning, less mess to get stirred up in the air. I don't have dust collection or an air cleaner, but have definitely considered a cleaner. We work in a tiny corner of a small two car garage, space is very limited.

 

[howsitwork]

I vacuum very often during turning, less mess to get stirred up in the air. I don't have dust collection or an air cleaner, but have definitely considered a cleaner. We work in a tiny corner of a small two car garage, space is very limited.

If you can write your name in the dust on the car , think how much you are inhaling! nciling cleaners are good but collection at source is better. Says he who just came in from using his table saw without face mask or extraction on ( I should know better ) to cut up some oak

 

[jrista]

I vacuum very often during turning, less mess to get stirred up in the air. I don't have dust collection or an air cleaner, but have definitely considered a cleaner. We work in a tiny corner of a small two car garage, space is very limited.

You can use a shop vac as a collection system. Two things you would want, are a small bucket-based vortex, which are not too expensive, and a decent collection hood for your pen work.

I bought this from Rockler years ago (mine does not have the deflector):

https://www.rockler.com/dust-right-lathe-dust-collection-system-plus-lathe-chip-deflector

Then something like this:

Oneida Air Systems Dust Deputy Deluxe Cyclone Separator Kit for Wet/Dry Shop Vacuums with Collapse Proof Collection Bucket

Read reviews and buy Oneida Air Systems Dust Deputy Deluxe Cyclone Separator Kit for Wet/Dry Shop Vacuums with Collapse Proof Collection Bucket at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

In my case, I had to adapt the hose to my shop vac. I also used 2" flex hose throughout, rather than the small shop vac hose, which helps collect more dust overall. It won't collect everything, but with that rockler hood, you can kind of wrap it around your blanks while turning, and it will catch most.

 

[Hippie3180]

You can use a shop vac as a collection system. Two things you would want, are a small bucket-based vortex, which are not too expensive, and a decent collection hood for your pen work.

I bought this from Rockler years ago (mine does not have the deflector):

https://www.rockler.com/dust-right-lathe-dust-collection-system-plus-lathe-chip-deflector

Then something like this:

Oneida Air Systems Dust Deputy Deluxe Cyclone Separator Kit for Wet/Dry Shop Vacuums with Collapse Proof Collection Bucket

Read reviews and buy Oneida Air Systems Dust Deputy Deluxe Cyclone Separator Kit for Wet/Dry Shop Vacuums with Collapse Proof Collection Bucket at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

In my case, I had to adapt the hose to my shop vac. I also used 2" flex hose throughout, rather than the small shop vac hose, which helps collect more dust overall. It won't collect everything, but with that rockler hood, you can kind of wrap it around your blanks while turning, and it will catch most.

Great idea! We always have such a mess and it of course is all over the garage.

 

[bugradx2]

2nd for the dust deputy deluxe! I bought one a couple years prior to buying my dust collector. They are awesome. Spend the extra for the deluxe kit because it comes with extra bucket, wheels and most importantly a short section of vacuum hose. At the time I was looking to purchase mine that cost more than the upgraded kit.

I went to the dust collector because I found a NIB jet collector for a song that is small and very quiet. It's probably similar to or smaller than the actual perimeter of my shop vac and dust deputy. The quiet part is what does it for me, my shop vac is so loud I felt like I needed ear muffs every time I used it. Dust collector might be fewer decibels than our household vacuum.

The dust deputy saved me a ton of money too because I kept Hepa filters on my dust collector so less stuff would escape back into the air through my old filter. I would clog them up at least a couple times a year. Once I put the dust deputy in front of the vacuum I'm not sure if a quarter cup of anything made it into the shop vac.