Fountain Pen using McKenzie Thermoset

[duncsuss]

Finally I managed to get time to make a pen from the block of @McKenzie Penworks Thermoset resin I cast a few weeks ago. I feel I overloaded the dyes, so it's kind of dark until you get it into direct sunlight - when "pow!" Here it is before I buff it and give it a dip in the ultrasonic cleaner.

Special mention to the JoWo#6 section mandrel and the threaded pen barrel mandrel from @rherrell (without them it would have been slower and more likely to be out of alignment, they are great!)

 

[mark james]

That is a stunning pour - looks like outer space to me and that is way beautiful. Superb turning and finished (almost) pen. On a personal note Duncan... our Christmas Tree had a very special ornament this year and my adult children have all drawn lots for it at my demise! To bad for them as I'm a fan of Monty Python and "I'm not dead yet."

 

[duncsuss]

That is a stunning pour - looks like outer space to me and that is way beautiful. Superb turning and finished (almost) pen. On a personal note Duncan... our Christmas Tree had a very special ornament this year and my adult children have all drawn lots for it at my demise! To bad for them as I'm a fan of Monty Python and "I'm not dead yet."

Thanks!

I advise against asking your family for declarations of fealty to see who is deserving of the ornament - when King Lear tried it, things didn't work out well for any of his family Glad it was enjoyed

 

[mark james]

Thanks!

I advise against asking your family for declarations of fealty to see who is deserving of the ornament - when King Lear tried it, things didn't work out well for any of his family Glad it was enjoyed

I didn't ask... they declared. But I love your suggestion for a more 'equitable' decision. Alas, the best arbiter, was deemed ...'unsuitable' and is the black sheep of the clan.

They still got to wait for my demise, (unless they are impatient) - they have enough pens.

 

[Mike]

Beautiful work and blank and pen.

Mike

 

[duncsuss]

Beautiful work and blank and pen.

Mike

Thanks Mike!

 

[Sataro]

Beautiful pen!

 

[Penchant 4]

Finally I managed to get time to make a pen from the block of @McKenzie Penworks Thermoset resin I cast a few weeks ago. I feel I overloaded the dyes, so it's kind of dark until you get it into direct sunlight - when "pow!" Here it is before I buff it and give it a dip in the ultrasonic cleaner.

Special mention to the JoWo#6 section mandrel and the threaded pen barrel mandrel from @rherrell (without them it would have been slower and more likely to be out of alignment, they are great!)

View attachment 380298

Dazzling creation!

 

[duncsuss]

Beautiful pen!

Thanks Billy!

 

[duncsuss]

Dazzling creation!

Thanks Bill!

 

[McKenzie Penworks]

Can't take much credit for the resin other than asking the nice folks at Thermoset to make it for us Pen and blank look great! It's not the easiest resin to work with but I think it's worth it!

 

[duncsuss]

Can't take much credit for the resin other than asking the nice folks at Thermoset to make it for us Pen and blank look great! It's not the easiest resin to work with but I think it's worth it!

Thanks!

If by "not the easiest" you're referring to the casting process, I didn't find it difficult in any way. I'd only ever used epoxy resin (and then only one pour, the multi-day cure time taught me all I needed to know about how impatient I am.) My only concern was to make sure I didn't use incompatible pigments, and you set me on the right track so that was easy too.

Turning and threading has been a breeze - perhaps because I'm used to working with vintage materials like galalith and Cebloplast I don't approach it aggressively.

 

[McKenzie Penworks]

Just that it can be a bit more sensitive to moisture etc... with proper processes it's great. We've been through literally tons of it and I love the stuff.