me2cyclops
Member
here is mt first entry closed/closed jr gent FP dressed in azurite truestone
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** NEWBIE PEN CONTEST **
- Thread starter Firefyter-emt
- Start date
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Grim Spirit
Member
Well, I qualify as I got my lathe on Dec. 22, 2008 (christmas present).
But, still haven't got my shop up and running. Had a honeymoon 1/4-1/12 (Costa Maya, Santo Tomas De Castilla, Belize City and Cozumel. Wish I had taken more money ashore in Belize..found out they have some beautiful hardwoods), Mardi Gras is here etc, so I doubt I'll turn any pens by the deadline.
Have my lathe, bandsaw, drillpress, mitersaw, bench grinder and odds and ends, and I'm still in it for under $100. Still need a decent set of turning tools and have to build a workbench to house it all.
Wonder if I mentioned to my new wife that I'm taking over the poolhouse?....
But, still haven't got my shop up and running. Had a honeymoon 1/4-1/12 (Costa Maya, Santo Tomas De Castilla, Belize City and Cozumel. Wish I had taken more money ashore in Belize..found out they have some beautiful hardwoods), Mardi Gras is here etc, so I doubt I'll turn any pens by the deadline.
Have my lathe, bandsaw, drillpress, mitersaw, bench grinder and odds and ends, and I'm still in it for under $100. Still need a decent set of turning tools and have to build a workbench to house it all.
Wonder if I mentioned to my new wife that I'm taking over the poolhouse?....
Burly Stripes
Here's my first entry into this lovely contest. This is the Baron kit from Berea. I made a segmented blank using ebony as the base, paduk for the red stripes, and some sort of burl scrap wood that I picked up at Woodcraft for a dollar. Overall I am pretty pleased with the result. The finish is CA/BLO and a whole lot of sanding.
This is also my first attempt to turn beads on the end of the blanks. I found it somewhat difficult to sand the CA finish in those areas.
I gave this pen to my girlfriend's dad. I am hoping it will serve as the ceremonial writing implement that rids us all of his "wife" (long story).
I have been turning for about a month at this point and this is approximately my 10th pen.
Here's my first entry into this lovely contest. This is the Baron kit from Berea. I made a segmented blank using ebony as the base, paduk for the red stripes, and some sort of burl scrap wood that I picked up at Woodcraft for a dollar. Overall I am pretty pleased with the result. The finish is CA/BLO and a whole lot of sanding.
This is also my first attempt to turn beads on the end of the blanks. I found it somewhat difficult to sand the CA finish in those areas.
I gave this pen to my girlfriend's dad. I am hoping it will serve as the ceremonial writing implement that rids us all of his "wife" (long story).
I have been turning for about a month at this point and this is approximately my 10th pen.
intillzah
Member
A lot of good looking entries here. I'd enter, but sadly. I'm still making crap compared to those who have entered and I don't have a decent camera....
foamcapt40
Member
My Humble entries
I turned my first pen back in September with a lathe my Dad gave me when he moved into a condo. Still trying to find a good place for all the stuff I keep buying. Looks like I'll have to rearrange my side of the garage!:biggrin:
The first pen is A Berea Chrome Sierra with Black and Silver Corian. The second is a Gold Sierra with Spalted Citrus and a CA finish.
I turned my first pen back in September with a lathe my Dad gave me when he moved into a condo. Still trying to find a good place for all the stuff I keep buying. Looks like I'll have to rearrange my side of the garage!:biggrin:
The first pen is A Berea Chrome Sierra with Black and Silver Corian. The second is a Gold Sierra with Spalted Citrus and a CA finish.
Greg O'Sherwood
Member
Okay, I qualify for this contest as I've only turned about 25 pens since starting in Nov'08, but am I the only one who thinks the bar is being set VERY high? Some of these pens are gorgeous!
Crashmph
Member
Okay, I qualify for this contest as I've only turned about 25 pens since starting in Nov'08, but am I the only one who thinks the bar is being set VERY high? Some of these pens are gorgeous!
Some? I think all of them look great. I was thinking that mine was looking good until the others showed up.
davinci27
Member
Tn-Steve
Member
yea, I'm going to be a bit embarrassed to post my pens. I'll do it, but man-o-man there are some talented folks out there.
Steve
Steve
jimofsanston
Member
trying to added my pen
for some reason i t will not let me add a picture of my pen whats up?
for some reason i t will not let me add a picture of my pen whats up?
PenAffair
Member
Daniel
Member
Don't be discouraged by what you have seen. I am not a judge, but that does not mean I cannot look at this work and decide for myself what demonstrates the best of penturning from a beginner. I have it hands down. I won't say what it is at least not yet. But I will say from the comments above it is not one you would think it is.
penmaking does have a lot of element of this wood on this kit in this shape was chosen and it makes since. everything about those choices made it a better pen.
I look at the work for indications that is developing. there is a pen and then there is a "Treasure" developing the art of creating Treasure is what tells me you are advancing as a penturner.
penmaking does have a lot of element of this wood on this kit in this shape was chosen and it makes since. everything about those choices made it a better pen.
I look at the work for indications that is developing. there is a pen and then there is a "Treasure" developing the art of creating Treasure is what tells me you are advancing as a penturner.
davinci27
Member
Hey Daniel,
You bring up a great question. What are the judges looking for? What are the guidelines the judges are using to evaluate pens? It might help everybody if we knew where to aim.
You bring up a great question. What are the judges looking for? What are the guidelines the judges are using to evaluate pens? It might help everybody if we knew where to aim.
Daniel
Member
Ben, It does stink a little bit. but these things are a bit like an audition. you don't know what they want and it is very much up to each judge and there tastes. so the bottom line is bring what you got and use it. let fate sort it all out. My post was meant to be a point about just because you think you have the best figured out. doesn't mean it was the best to the next guy. and the next guy just might be the judge that is eyein your pen.
Edit:
Thinking about this for a bit I do have these usually basics that i can point out. this is no guarantee that any of the judges will use any of these in their decision. but I will offer these basics that are usually looked for just so all of you do have some things to pay attention to.
I will also add that some but not all played a part in my decision to this point.
Material and kit selection computability. some combos work some don't and some are better than other even though both are good. this is generally something that is developed in a turner.
fit and intended shape. of course you want the wood or body material to make a neat match at the fittings. this is a given. but take what is in between also. does the pen appear to be a shape that you meant to make. or more of just what you managed to make.
finish, not only how well it was executed, but what does it show me about your knowledge of finishes and what works well with what materials. show me an acrylic pen with a CA finish and I will show you a very raw penturner. hope that helps with that point.
there is anouther element that I have seen here that I will not mention. it would most likely reveal my selection. I will say that it is quite shocking to see it in a contest of new turners. it is an element that even I have never had the opportunity to use in one of my pens. it is not something you can really choose to do, or even necessarily be taught. i will say that for me it reveals the heart and soul of a true artist. Maybe it is best to just leave it at that and let each person contemplate for themselves just what is the true heart and soul of an artist. in doing so you just might come one step closer in finding it within yourselves. Who knows.
Edit:
Thinking about this for a bit I do have these usually basics that i can point out. this is no guarantee that any of the judges will use any of these in their decision. but I will offer these basics that are usually looked for just so all of you do have some things to pay attention to.
I will also add that some but not all played a part in my decision to this point.
Material and kit selection computability. some combos work some don't and some are better than other even though both are good. this is generally something that is developed in a turner.
fit and intended shape. of course you want the wood or body material to make a neat match at the fittings. this is a given. but take what is in between also. does the pen appear to be a shape that you meant to make. or more of just what you managed to make.
finish, not only how well it was executed, but what does it show me about your knowledge of finishes and what works well with what materials. show me an acrylic pen with a CA finish and I will show you a very raw penturner. hope that helps with that point.
there is anouther element that I have seen here that I will not mention. it would most likely reveal my selection. I will say that it is quite shocking to see it in a contest of new turners. it is an element that even I have never had the opportunity to use in one of my pens. it is not something you can really choose to do, or even necessarily be taught. i will say that for me it reveals the heart and soul of a true artist. Maybe it is best to just leave it at that and let each person contemplate for themselves just what is the true heart and soul of an artist. in doing so you just might come one step closer in finding it within yourselves. Who knows.
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davinci27
Member
Daniel,
Sure that makes sense, I can point out dozens of things about my pens that need improvement. (I just hope the judges don't see them when they are looking :biggrin:.) I was thinking of something more like what was posted to the slimline contest, and I only thought about it because I just posted it this morning. All the judges in the slimline contest have a base set of guidlines:
Fit & Finish 1-10 (how things meet the bushings, sanding, finish, etc)
Form 1-10 (shape and quality of turning)
Innovation (creative blanks, use of parts, etc) 1-10
Photography 1-10 (used as a tie breaker)
I was wondering if the newbie contest had something similar for their judges.
Sure that makes sense, I can point out dozens of things about my pens that need improvement. (I just hope the judges don't see them when they are looking :biggrin:.) I was thinking of something more like what was posted to the slimline contest, and I only thought about it because I just posted it this morning. All the judges in the slimline contest have a base set of guidlines:
Fit & Finish 1-10 (how things meet the bushings, sanding, finish, etc)
Form 1-10 (shape and quality of turning)
Innovation (creative blanks, use of parts, etc) 1-10
Photography 1-10 (used as a tie breaker)
I was wondering if the newbie contest had something similar for their judges.
Billman
Member
Entry # 1
Alright, I'll give this a shot.
Here is Entry #1 from me.
This is a Americana Roller Ball using spalted aspen wood harvested from Aspen Colorado. CA finish. I went for a straight line shape since the person it is intended for has smaller hands. I also like the outcome of the pen because no matter which end the cap is on, the grain lines up nicely.
Alright, I'll give this a shot.
Here is Entry #1 from me.
This is a Americana Roller Ball using spalted aspen wood harvested from Aspen Colorado. CA finish. I went for a straight line shape since the person it is intended for has smaller hands. I also like the outcome of the pen because no matter which end the cap is on, the grain lines up nicely.
PenAffair
Member
Alright, I'll give this a shot.
Here is Entry #1 from me.
Wow, and you made it with invisible ink! Great job. :tongue:
Seems I'm not the only one having trouble with images. Guess it's time to go back to Imageshack.
Russell.
Billman
Member
I'm not sure what you are referring to.
I see the pictures just fine in my post as well as yours.
I see the pictures just fine in my post as well as yours.
PenAffair
Member
Err, you do? Drat it's just me. I can see pictures in some posts, but obviously others are missing?? Maybe a logout & in again will fix it.
Russell.
PenAffair
Member
Nope, no different. I can see lots of pictures on page 4 & 5 of the thread, nothing on this page. Ctrl-F5 to force refresh made no difference either.
Anyone got any ideas?
Russell.
Billman
Member
PM sent.
tim self
Member
When I post a pen for competition, I guess I'll just enter it into the ugly pen constes instead! These are some gorgeous pens folks.
Crashmph
Member
Guess I am one of the two people who understand it... I am a dork. LOL!
Nice Signature...:biggrin:
PenAffair
Member
OK I can see Bill's pictures now. Thanks Bill.
Russell.
Russell.
Billman
Member
No problem Russell, glad we could fix it.
Russell's problem brings me to ask... Why are uploaded attachments not allowed in this thread?
The reason Russell could not view my photos initially was due to the photo be hosted on my server and me having his entire IP range blocked because of foreign spammers that were using many different IP's from within that range, forcing me to finally block the whole thing. If anyone else can not see mine or someone else's photos, let them know because of reasons like this.
Crashmph, glad you like it. Just my nerdy side coming through.
Russell's problem brings me to ask... Why are uploaded attachments not allowed in this thread?
The reason Russell could not view my photos initially was due to the photo be hosted on my server and me having his entire IP range blocked because of foreign spammers that were using many different IP's from within that range, forcing me to finally block the whole thing. If anyone else can not see mine or someone else's photos, let them know because of reasons like this.
Crashmph, glad you like it. Just my nerdy side coming through.
chuybregts
Member
My First Acrylic
I got my lathe in mid jan 2009, and this is my first non-7mm pen and first acrylic pen (turned it tonight). Turning acrylic is...interesting... If the odor doesn't get you, the string like shavings will!
Chris
I got my lathe in mid jan 2009, and this is my first non-7mm pen and first acrylic pen (turned it tonight). Turning acrylic is...interesting... If the odor doesn't get you, the string like shavings will!
Chris
me2cyclops
Member
acrylic smells good wait till you try antler or ebonite :devil:
jimofsanston
Member
I still can't post my pic's, i do it else where but just not here in this forum.
GBusardo
Member
This is going to be a very hard contest to judge! Contgrats to all who enter.
RHunter
Local Chapter Leader
Noobie Pencil
OK, the rules say turning less than six months... Check!
If you count the 6 I did for Turn for the Troops- (never even touched a lathe before that), this makes about a dozen total.
I made this for my daughter with the Artist Sketch Pencil kit from CSUSA- hopefully with this, she will stop "borrowing" my mechanical pencils...
Wet sanded to 1500Grit, Plast-X, then White Diamond buffing.
I apologize for the less than steller picture- SWMBO suggested I take a picture of it- and then I thought of this Birthday Bash contest- no light boxes, no tents, nothing fancy. Just a piece of quilting cloth I "borrowed" from the wife and set it on the Dining Room table.
Thanks for looking!
OK, the rules say turning less than six months... Check!
If you count the 6 I did for Turn for the Troops- (never even touched a lathe before that), this makes about a dozen total.
I made this for my daughter with the Artist Sketch Pencil kit from CSUSA- hopefully with this, she will stop "borrowing" my mechanical pencils...
Wet sanded to 1500Grit, Plast-X, then White Diamond buffing.
I apologize for the less than steller picture- SWMBO suggested I take a picture of it- and then I thought of this Birthday Bash contest- no light boxes, no tents, nothing fancy. Just a piece of quilting cloth I "borrowed" from the wife and set it on the Dining Room table.
Thanks for looking!
CharlestonPenWorks
Member
2nd entry
Here is my second entry, a 10K JR Gent dressed in Redwood Lace that I bought from Rocky in California. Thanks for the great wood!
Here is my second entry, a 10K JR Gent dressed in Redwood Lace that I bought from Rocky in California. Thanks for the great wood!
DJ
Zinderin
Member
I'm out of my league here with you guys. You're very good. But I'll share these, because I love looking at pictures and I want to start contributing. I only started making pens just after Christmas, and I've only made 10 so far. Here's four of em.
Nah, this isn't an entry in the contest, I'm not up to your level yet.
By the way ... the rosewood and chrome pen (left bottom) ... that pen feels sooo good in
the hand ... if you haven't made one like it, you should try it. I kept that one form myself.
Oh yeah, and the kits I use are from Rockler
Nah, this isn't an entry in the contest, I'm not up to your level yet.
By the way ... the rosewood and chrome pen (left bottom) ... that pen feels sooo good in
the hand ... if you haven't made one like it, you should try it. I kept that one form myself.
Oh yeah, and the kits I use are from Rockler
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ed4copies
Local Chapter Manager
Hey Brett!!!
Don't knock em! Nice looking pens and nobody can beat an attitude that says, "I want to start contributing!!"
Six months, you'll be a star - right now you're well on your way!@!!!!
Welcome!
(Now, go to your profile, add a "signature line" and put "Brett" in it. Then we won't start calling you Zinny the Pooh!)
Stick around, join the fun.
Don't knock em! Nice looking pens and nobody can beat an attitude that says, "I want to start contributing!!"
Six months, you'll be a star - right now you're well on your way!@!!!!
Welcome!
(Now, go to your profile, add a "signature line" and put "Brett" in it. Then we won't start calling you Zinny the Pooh!)
Stick around, join the fun.
AKBeaver
Member
My Entry
Well, Since I have only had my Lathe since October, I guess I qualify. I have done about 20 pens and am still learning new things every time I step up to the lathe. These pens I did over the weekend as gifts for co-workers.
Pen 1 and 2 are Black Titanium El Grande's. 1 is a Purple Rain blank and 2 is a dark gray Invasavue. Pen 3 is a Teacher's Pen with the main body out of ash and the clip is a bat.
If there is a problem with the company logo's, let me know and I will pixelate them for the site.
Please be kind with your criticism...
Standing by for heavy rolls.
Dave
Well, Since I have only had my Lathe since October, I guess I qualify. I have done about 20 pens and am still learning new things every time I step up to the lathe. These pens I did over the weekend as gifts for co-workers.
Pen 1 and 2 are Black Titanium El Grande's. 1 is a Purple Rain blank and 2 is a dark gray Invasavue. Pen 3 is a Teacher's Pen with the main body out of ash and the clip is a bat.
If there is a problem with the company logo's, let me know and I will pixelate them for the site.
Please be kind with your criticism...
Standing by for heavy rolls.
Dave
Attachments
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tim self
Member
tim self
Member
davinci27
Member
PenAffair
Member
I made my first pen in late September, 2008. Never turned before that. I've made about 30 pens so far, and have spent a lot of time trying to get my resin casting down pat.
Here's my first entry. It's a (gpw) Executive, with my own hand cast resin blank that I like to call "Lava Flow".
Hope you like it.
Russell.
Here's my first entry. It's a (gpw) Executive, with my own hand cast resin blank that I like to call "Lava Flow".
Hope you like it.
Russell.
Attachments
tlbrooks
Member
I posted a picture in the member photo album. Not sure how to get it over here. If anyone can help, I'd appreciate it. I got my lathe as a freebie from my brother in law. It came with all the tools and chisels, plus 35 or 40 various pen kits. It sat in my garage, unused for 4 or 5 years. I finally decided to make some pens as Christmas gifts last December, '08 Made a dozen or so and, of course, I'm hooked!! Lots of fun. Also this was my first pen picture with my home made light box. It turned out pretty good if I say so myself. This picture was taken with 3 lights and my thought was maybe two lights would give a little better depth and shadow detail. Give me your thoughts. Thanks for all the suggestion. Lots of help on this forum! Two big thumbs up!!
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Manny
Member
Well here we go
Bought my Lathe in December 2008
This one is mandrel less barring less between centers. (Compliments of Johnnycnc)
Piece of Cypress from the wood pile. Used 5 coats of thin CA to finish with a coat of Hut Friction Polish between each layer. See if I can figure out this picture upload thing...
let me know if i need another picture
A few better pics
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z271/epimeniolara/2.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z271/epimeniolara/1.jpg
Bought my Lathe in December 2008
This one is mandrel less barring less between centers. (Compliments of Johnnycnc)
Piece of Cypress from the wood pile. Used 5 coats of thin CA to finish with a coat of Hut Friction Polish between each layer. See if I can figure out this picture upload thing...
let me know if i need another picture
A few better pics
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z271/epimeniolara/2.jpg
http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z271/epimeniolara/1.jpg
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