I decided to learn how to make the 360° herringbone blank. I have a pretty good grasp on how to do the L shape and the "wing" that is glued to it, both the left and right right one and how those two pieces are glued together. My issue is with end grain. No matter how I glue them, some of the chevrons are end grain and some not. Does anyone know if there's a way to avoid end on the finished glue up?
Question For 360° Herringbone Pen Makers
- Thread starter KenB259
- Start date
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its_virgil
Member
I just pick them up and glue. Cracked my brain trying to not have end grain.
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I'm pretty sure it's impossible to not have any end grain but wanted to check with the experts.
its_virgil
Member
I read one article where only triangular half pieces were used.
jttheclockman
Member
Where did you read that? I asked this question either last year or the year before. This was talked about and all the people who did them either passed or left the site and no thread ever explained it. One person was suppose to write an article but did not happen. The final look is different than the herringbone we all know. The length of the pieces are longer and it looks alot cooler. I mentioned that this is what happens when people do not want to share and back in the old days things were not shared as much as today. That was one of them along with the very method of doing the herringbone. Then someone broke the code and it was history from there.
I tried searching for any info regarding the triangle method. I found nothing.
darrin1200
Member
How are you cutting your squares?
If you are cutting them out of a flat board, you will get two end grain edges on each piece.
You need to cut slices off of a square block, like a pen blank. This will give edge grain on all 4 sides. However these are very fragile in the sliced state, because the end grain is on the large flats. Depending on the stability of the piece of wood, a lot make just snap in half before you get a chance to use them. Once it's glued up you should be OK.
jttheclockman
Member
Here was my quest to find the answer last year but to no avail. It was talked about and it was done. But no record of how. That was ashame. I will still look from time to time but as I said all the people that did them back in the day are not with us for various reasons. Some day the clue will be found.
https://www.penturners.org/threads/360-herringbone.177001/#post-2181005
Makes sense but that certainly will makeadding spacer material a real pain.
Don,
I'd be interested in seeing this article. I've wanted to get this into our library.
jttheclockman
Member
Me too!
its_virgil
Member
It was from a guy in Europe and not in English. I will see I f i can relocate it.
Displaced Canadian
Member
It"s been a few years since I did one. I did use triangles. If someone could possibly search my name and "basketweave" some pictures may be there. I'll pick up some material and give it a try and take more pictures this time.
As for what to do with the pieces that have end grain, don't try hide them work them into a pattern that spirals up the blank. If you can't hide something turn it into a feature.
As for what to do with the pieces that have end grain, don't try hide them work them into a pattern that spirals up the blank. If you can't hide something turn it into a feature.
amtechrs
Member
Here is a blank I am currently experimenting with. Purists will absolutely hate it, but....
Anywhoo, I 3D printed a herringbone blank that receives inserts, which I first saw by @ochoabrian , who posted his herringbone jig idea. I modeled one up myself, and cut triangle inserts on my laser, with long edge of the triangles parallel with the grain. See photos attached. I also included a rendering of the jig (don't have a picture of the blank alone). I haven't finished this just yet, so not sure if it's going to turn out worth a darn, but I'm sure the wood inserts will all show as edge grain.
Anywhoo, I 3D printed a herringbone blank that receives inserts, which I first saw by @ochoabrian , who posted his herringbone jig idea. I modeled one up myself, and cut triangle inserts on my laser, with long edge of the triangles parallel with the grain. See photos attached. I also included a rendering of the jig (don't have a picture of the blank alone). I haven't finished this just yet, so not sure if it's going to turn out worth a darn, but I'm sure the wood inserts will all show as edge grain.
Attachments
amtechrs
Member
amtechrs
Member
Also, a laser is certainly not necessary to cut the triangles. A miter setup on a table saw sled, or even small miter saw would work. Just flip the 'stick' of wood after every cut.
