Rookie Still Turning

[rraming]

Put together a few more kits over the last week. Couple Trimlines and a few Vespers. Rosewood, Maple, Wenge and Bloodwood.
All finished in Pens Plus. I really had issues with the Wenge. I did my reading after having issues but I guess that's all part of my learning.
I case you are going to give me helpful suggestion (which I always need) here is what I do. Start with 240, sand to 600 (all dry). Then I seal with Mylands (one to 3 coats). I let that dry well, then use Yorkshire grit. I clean all that off and then 4 thin coats of Pens Plus.
That has worked for me on everything, so far, except Wenge.
The Wenge was wet sanded using one drop of Pens Plus per stage and then finished with Pens Plus. My "normal" method was horrific with dull, shinny spots. So first blank was sanded and guessed at again.
Also (looking for help again) When I use Yorkshire grit I use a white paper towel (blue with Pens Plus). I have noticed I need to run the paper towel grain length (as I do with sandpaper) after (gritting) otherwise I get marks around blank. The Wenge has those and figured that out with the Bloodwood (which, in my opinion, looks great)
Anywho, here you go, feel free to help

 

[egnald]

Very Cool. Great explanation and a nice collection of finished pens. - Dave

 

[GFHWoodWerks]

Nice pens. Seems like a productive week.

 

[sorcerertd]

Nice batch.

As for Wenge, it doesn't sand evenly with the difference in hardness between the lighter and darker bands. If you use a really sharp skew, and very carefully, you can finish without sanding. If you must sand, I would start with nothing more coarse than 400, probably 600, and using it with a very light touch.

I have no experience to share with Yorkshire grit.

 

[Woodchipper]

Those are very nice pens. As mentioned, thanks for the description of your finishing. My favorite is the (1310) maybe maple and the black components. Always a fan of contrasting colors and materials.

 

[rraming]

Nice batch.

As for Wenge, it doesn't sand evenly with the difference in hardness between the lighter and darker bands. If you use a really sharp skew, and very carefully, you can finish without sanding. If you must sand, I would start with nothing more coarse than 400, probably 600, and using it with a very light touch.

I have no experience to share with Yorkshire grit.

Thank you for the information!

 

[bugradx2]

So which Mylands product are you using? They have a finish and a sanding sealer. I'm guessing it may be the sanding sealer so that it's on under the pens plus? Yorkshire Grit is supposed to have a sanding sealer under it too. If you're using the finish it may be fighting with the products you're putting over it.

I have a jar of both yorkshire grits in the shop and have not used either one yet. What I have seen during live demonstrations (and youtube) is that you need to let it fully break down on the paper towel so you can't feel the grit on the blank. Are you moving your hand when you apply it? Maybe it's holding in one spot. I've done something similar with sanding on the lathe and a good play happens on the football game in the background. Yeah, I know I need to turn off the tv but football makes great background noise when I don't feel like listening to music.

If you have spots that are dull and spots that are shiny on the blank then it's not an even surface. The tools are jumping around while you're turning the blank or you may need to do a final skim cut to level everything off. Sometimes you can sand that out but not always.

To be clear & up front, I'm pretty much a GluBoost guy but have used Pens Plus on 30 or so pens so I'm far from an expert on it.

 

[rraming]

Those are very nice pens. As mentioned, thanks for the description of your finishing. My favorite is the (1310) maybe maple and the black components. Always a fan of contrasting colors and materials.

Maple and black work for me as well!

So which Mylands product are you using? They have a finish and a sanding sealer. I'm guessing it may be the sanding sealer so that it's on under the pens plus? Yorkshire Grit is supposed to have a sanding sealer under it too. If you're using the finish it may be fighting with the products you're putting over it.

I have a jar of both yorkshire grits in the shop and have not used either one yet. What I have seen during live demonstrations (and youtube) is that you need to let it fully break down on the paper towel so you can't feel the grit on the blank. Are you moving your hand when you apply it? Maybe it's holding in one spot. I've done something similar with sanding on the lathe and a good play happens on the football game in the background. Yeah, I know I need to turn off the tv but football makes great background noise when I don't feel like listening to music.

If you have spots that are dull and spots that are shiny on the blank then it's not an even surface. The tools are jumping around while you're turning the blank or you may need to do a final skim cut to level everything off. Sometimes you can sand that out but not always.

To be clear & up front, I'm pretty much a GluBoost guy but have used Pens Plus on 30 or so pens so I'm far from an expert on it.

thanks
Yes the sealer - I move blue paper towel with grit around, easy to hear when it's done. Did not know it had a sealer in it. Of course, I saw this process on YouTube. Going to look into that sealer in the grit thing!

 

[bugradx2]

Maple and black work for me as well!

thanks
Yes the sealer - I move blue paper towel with grit around, easy to hear when it's done. Did not know it had a sealer in it. Of course, I saw this process on YouTube. Going to look into that sealer in the grit thing!

Mylands has two separate products, one is a sealer and the other a finish. Not sure they cross the streams as multi use products or not