Old pen, Need help with kit and wood identification

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Buzzzz4

Buzzzz4

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I have a customer who has given me a couple pens to clean up. I'm thinking this one needs a new kit. Any idea what postable pen this is? And any idea on type of wood?

Thanks!
 

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Not, but looks close

That kit looks like some that I have had around for years. A buddy gave me a few many years ago when he was getting out of turning pens. I never turned any. The one I'm talking about is the Americana Pen w/ Stripe Band from CSUSA. Their part number: 050-4206. I looked it up and apparently they don't carry it anymore.

It's not exactly the same, but the style is very similar and the center band looks just the same. The two tubes are both 2-3/64" long, and 5/16" OD, and 9/32" ID.

I attached a couple photos. If these specs match your pen, PM me and I'll just send you this kit if you want it. I can't use it.

As for the wood, my guess would be Cocobolo.

You're pretty nice to rehab someone else's work. I guess the guy is really attached to the pen.
 

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Correct on the kit but the wood looks like wenge to me. But, wood is sometimes hard to identify in a pen picture. The wood does look somewhat like cocobolo, especially if it is more orange in real life.
Do a good turn daily!
Don
Buzzzz4 said:
I have a customer who has given me a couple pens to clean up. I'm thinking this one needs a new kit. Any idea what postable pen this is? And any idea on type of wood?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for the info, Frank. I'll probably order a new kit and since I don't have the B mandrel and all that goes with it, just turn it between centers...if it doesn't crack when I try to disassemble.Then I can also get the fit and finish just a little nicer than what she has here. (kinda like fixing a mediocre haircut. Fun to see what comes of it).
She's also buying a couple other pens from my stock and I will possibly get a custom order out of it.

I'm guessing cocobolo as it is a bit deep red/orange.

Thanks for the other replies as well!!


burgerman said:
That kit looks like some that I have had around for years. A buddy gave me a few many years ago when he was getting out of turning pens. I never turned any. The one I'm talking about is the Americana Pen w/ Stripe Band from CSUSA. Their part number: 050-4206. I looked it up and apparently they don't carry it anymore.

It's not exactly the same, but the style is very similar and the center band looks just the same. The two tubes are both 2-3/64" long, and 5/16" OD, and 9/32" ID.

I attached a couple photos. If these specs match your pen, PM me and I'll just send you this kit if you want it. I can't use it.

As for the wood, my guess would be Cocobolo.

You're pretty nice to rehab someone else's work. I guess the guy is really attached to the pen.
Click to expand...
 
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I'm with Don on this one. I think its Wenge. Grain pattern looks too tight to be cocobolo. Easy way to find out...Don't use a respirator when you sand it. If you start sneezing like crazy, then its cocobolo!! :biggrin:
 
wickford said:
I'm with Don on this one. I think its Wenge. Grain pattern looks too tight to be cocobolo. Easy way to find out...Don't use a respirator when you sand it. If you start sneezing like crazy, then its cocobolo!! :biggrin:
Click to expand...

I'm POSITIVE at least from the picture you posted that it's WENGE, not cocobolo. And Jeff, Wenge is an African tropical hardwood that is just as irritating and toxic as cocobolo! http://www.thewoodbox.com/data/wood/wengeinfo.htm A sure fire way to tell if it's wenge is that if there are pits in between the grain, b/c wenge wants to do that esp. on things as small as a pen. If there's a natural finish on there (which it looks like there is) you'll be able to see these pits.

That pen kit is without a doubt the Berea Flat Top Screw Cap http://bereahardwoods.com/pen-kit/sets/Flat_Top_American_Style_RBP.html aka Classic American Screw Cap (Woodcraft) http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2001561/1286/Classic-American-Rollerball-Pen-Kit.aspx
 
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We shall see how it goes when I sand it. There are some pits in it and it makes sense that it's an African wood as my customer is very much an African patriot if that makes sense. She is wanting me to make a Pan African pen. Thanks again for the help!
 
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