Pen Blank / Pen Kit

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Ron in Drums PA

Ron in Drums PA

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Drums, PA, USA.
Thanks everyone for your opinions about which pen kit to use in the last thread.

I would also like to thank the Mods who forced my conversation to become "Off Topic" and locked it. I understand where you are coming from.

I looked at my supply of kits and all the cigar pens that I have left have the cheap plating, So it looks like I will be using a Gent II pen kit.

I'm thinking the clip and it's accompanying hardware may clash with the inlays, so I plan on making a closed end pen. I haven't decided what to do with the centerband yet. It's been awhile since I turned a Gent and I don't remember if I can remove it. Can anyone remind me If I can do this?

I'll be sure to post the results when I'm done.

Thanks again
 
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Ron,
Are you doing the Gent or Jr. Gent? If the Jr., I believe the black trim band and innermost metal band can be removed. The outermost band has to stay. However, I THINK you can take the threaded part out of the upper piece (you may destroy the outermost metal band, but you didn't want it anyway!) and use it without the standard CB at all.
 
Jim

I was thinking the Jr Gent II

I was hoping I could just use the threads on the upper barrel without the CB, Now that I'm thinking I may not be able to remove the band on the bottom unless I sink in the lower barrel into the upper barrel.
 
Ron, like Jim said, you can discard the upper piece and the black ring. Then you should be able to turn the lower ring of the CB down enough to bury it in the blank. This is easily done with a Beall chuck.
 
Ron,
Like Jim said, I think you can remove the two trim rings from the CB which would leave a relatively thin ring. I do this all the time on Barons now. The problem with using just the threaded part alone is it isn't the same diameter along it's length. You need the metal from the CB so it would fit snugly. You can turn off the remaining ring on the CB which would allow you to bury the remains of the CB in the cap.
 
Originally posted by Ron in Drums PA
I'm thinking the clip and it's accompanying hardware may clash with the inlays, so I plan on making a closed end pen.
Click to expand...
Given how the blank is made - that the inlays terminate in natural wood at both ends - I think it would make a beautiful double-closed-end pen.

Regards,
Eric
 
Ron,
Do you have a scroll saw? I think the kerf on those is much thinner than a bandsaw. I wonder if you could use the scroll saw to cut the blank, and then simply omit the CB completely, or simply use a THIN strip of contrasting material (e.g., African Blackwood, guitar pick, aluminum, etc.) at the joint, thereby making the joint practially seamless. A DCE pen with a recessed clip having a shape that's very similar to the current blank's shape would probably look very impressive.
 
Jim,
I don't think a DCE with a recessed clip would be good idea with this blank. Having done one recessed clip, I know what a pain they can be when you're dealing with just solid wood. This thing had metal in it. If the slot for the clip could be done above where the metal terminates, it wouldn't be nearly as difficult, but I don't think there's enough wood there. Cutting the slot through the metal is asking for trouble, but that's only my opinion.[:)]
 
Ron - I'd be tempted to put the blank in a Baron. The delrin threads can be used exclusively (without a center band) by simply gluing them into the upper barrel. That will give you the opportunity to either use a more complimentary piece of wood or to go bandless.
 
Originally posted by Sylvanite
<br />
Originally posted by Ron in Drums PA
I'm thinking the clip and it's accompanying hardware may clash with the inlays, so I plan on making a closed end pen.
Click to expand...
Given how the blank is made - that the inlays terminate in natural wood at both ends - I think it would make a beautiful double-closed-end pen.

Regards,
Eric
Click to expand...

Eric,

The "natural wood" is meant to be sacrificial. When the "tube holes" are drilled and the final pen length is determined, the pattern is "endless" - except the centerband.
 
2007522163254_eaglestatview2net.jpg
<br />

2007522162746_eaglestatnet.jpg


Ron,
Due to the similarity of the pattern, perhaps this will give you more "visualization".

The pattern is really VERY unique. On the statesman, the threads engage every 120 degrees (360 divided by 3 times). Amazingly, since Eagle made the pattern repeat SIX times, the pattern "lines up" no matter where you engage the threads. As I look at the pic, I realize it LOOKS "off" a bit. This is, apparently, due to the camera angle or the pen may be slightly "unscrewed" while the "reluctant photographer" (the guy who never wanted to minor in photography) posed the pen!!

THIS WAS NOT part of my planning in choosing a kit!!!!! (I am NOT that smart!!! Remember our FIRST conversation on IAP, Ron??)

BUT, YOU may want to consider it, since some kits engage at FOUR points and some at THREE.

FWIW, Ed
 
Gerry,

You won't believe this, but Dawn just came in to inform me you were "taking potshots" at my photographic skills.

I set her straight that, in fact, you were expressing awestruck admiration for my advanced skills. (Isn't it amazing that SOME people can COMPLETELY misinterpret statements???? Especially ladies!)
 
Originally posted by gerryr
<br />You're right Ed, how could I ever take potshots at you? You wouldn't do that to me, would you?[:D]
Click to expand...

HOW could you even ASK such a question, of course


<center>not</center>
 
I think it would be a shame to break the flow / pattern of the blank.
I know it deserves more, but I would be inclined to do a slimline with a nib twist thus leaving the hole blank to be seen without a cb.

You could of course just send it to me and I'll show you what I mean[:D]
 
Originally posted by JimGo
<br />Ron,
Do you have a scroll saw? I think the kerf on those is much thinner than a bandsaw. I wonder if you could use the scroll saw to cut the blank, and then simply omit the CB completely, or simply use a THIN strip of contrasting material (e.g., African Blackwood, guitar pick, aluminum, etc.) at the joint, thereby making the joint practially seamless. A DCE pen with a recessed clip having a shape that's very similar to the current blank's shape would probably look very impressive.
Click to expand...

Good Idea Thanks

Originally posted by DCBluesman
<br />Ron - I'd be tempted to put the blank in a Baron. The delrin threads can be used exclusively (without a center band) by simply gluing them into the upper barrel. That will give you the opportunity to either use a more complimentary piece of wood or to go bandless.
Click to expand...


Thanks Lou, Jr Gent II and the baron Baron are about the same. I buy my kits from CSUSA

Originally posted by ed4copies
<br />
(I am NOT that smart!!! Remember our FIRST conversation on IAP, Ron??)

BUT, YOU may want to consider it, since some kits engage at FOUR points and some at THREE.

FWIW, Ed
Click to expand...

I certainly do old buddy, thanks for the heads up

Originally posted by skiprat
<br />I think it would be a shame to break the flow / pattern of the blank.
I know it deserves more, but I would be inclined to do a slimline with a nib twist thus leaving the hole blank to be seen without a cb.
Click to expand...

I don't think the inlays work on a thin pen. Of course I can always turn a fatter pen on a slimline, but I dislike the ink cartridge in a slim line.

But I agree with you about breaking the flow of the pattern

----

So, Here is what I'm going to do.

A very thin Ebony CB (I'm thinking I may need to protect the inlays)

Closed end on the top, there is enough room there on the blank
If I can, a closed end on the bottom, there may not be enough room. so maybe a ebony "cap" embedded into the wood, something like this that you can only see from the top
XPenTop.jpg

If I need to do that then "Maybe" embed an ebony cap on the other end to match.

Again, thanks for all your input
 
We're all looking forward to seeing the finished product. I'm just glad I don't have to drill that baby, even with a Beall collet chuck.
 
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