First attempt
- Thread starter Ninjakitty1981
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
RKB
Member
Welcome...careful pen making is addicting.
As you gain experience you will find yourself relying on sandpaper less and less. When I do use it, I usually start with 400 grit. That's a pretty good first attempt. I can see areas that need improvement. Truth is your probably where everyone of us were on our first pens. You will surprise yourself how fast you improve. I'm by no means an expert, but I have definitely learned many things from this forum. Just learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward. Above all else have fun.
Sent from my iPad using Penturners.org mobile app
Sent from my iPad using Penturners.org mobile app
Hi Jessica ... good to see you making a start.
It looks to me that you may have turned off too much wood on both sides of the center band, altho the nib end and the top end look about right
As for what sandpaper to use ... that is sort of up to your discretion and depends on how smooth the wood surface is at this stage. . As you get more and more experience with your lathe tools you will find that the surface, at this stage, becomes smoother and smoother.
I have a sanding sequence, starting with a slightly "rough" surface, that goes 180 grit, 240, 320 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000
I only start at 180 if the surface needs some "adjustment" to remove slight bumps and hollows.
For a surface that is already quite smooth and only needs removal of "discolorations" I start at 400. . I never start at a higher grit.
I don't always go all the way up to 2000, but I always go as far as 1200 ... depends on what I am planning to do next and what finish I want.
Keep at it ... you'll get it !!
It looks to me that you may have turned off too much wood on both sides of the center band, altho the nib end and the top end look about right
As for what sandpaper to use ... that is sort of up to your discretion and depends on how smooth the wood surface is at this stage. . As you get more and more experience with your lathe tools you will find that the surface, at this stage, becomes smoother and smoother.
I have a sanding sequence, starting with a slightly "rough" surface, that goes 180 grit, 240, 320 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000
I only start at 180 if the surface needs some "adjustment" to remove slight bumps and hollows.
For a surface that is already quite smooth and only needs removal of "discolorations" I start at 400. . I never start at a higher grit.
I don't always go all the way up to 2000, but I always go as far as 1200 ... depends on what I am planning to do next and what finish I want.
Keep at it ... you'll get it !!
WriteON
Member
Good start. Experience is the best teacher. You'll learn more and more each time you turn.
wigglingmapple
Member
hi,
your first pen looks great, you will find many tips here to help you growing big in turning, like segmented pen blanks.
as for the sanding I am agree with magpen
from 180 to 2000.
when you reach 400 it should already be smooth, the 600 is the first finishing sandpaper, I applied 1000 to 2000 only on thick dense wood like exotics.
sanding is almost the most important part of penturning. but for now, try the tools try the different shape and possibilities.
it will come very easily to you
good luck
your first pen looks great, you will find many tips here to help you growing big in turning, like segmented pen blanks.
as for the sanding I am agree with magpen
from 180 to 2000.
when you reach 400 it should already be smooth, the 600 is the first finishing sandpaper, I applied 1000 to 2000 only on thick dense wood like exotics.
sanding is almost the most important part of penturning. but for now, try the tools try the different shape and possibilities.
it will come very easily to you
good luck