Making a Pen on Lathe

Provided by Jeff Greene www.woodturningtoday.com

What you will need to build a pen Required •Wood lathe with tail stock center •Saw •Drill Press •Spindle Roughing gouge or Spindle gouge (I recommend both) •Pen Kit with matching bushings, drill bit and mandrel •CA Glue •Wood •Sand paper 150 , 240, 320, 400, 600grit

Recommended •Boiled Linseed oil •Pen Mill Set •Adjustable Mandrel •Drill Center Vice or wood Clamp •Pen Assembly Press •Pen Tube Insertion Tool •Steel Wire for burning •CA Glue Debonder

Step 1: Measure blank starting Âź to 1/8 from end Step2: Mark line on blank to identify matching ends for mounting on mandrel.

Step3: Cut blank to size

Step 4: Mount the blank for drilling (This is the most critical step) you will need a wood clamp as shown or a drill center vice. If you use a wood clamp be sure to align the blank with at least one side of the clamp as shown above.

Step5: Drill the blank on low speed remembering to clear the bit every half inch or as needed

The holes should be as close to center as possible

Step 6: Using 150 grit sandpaper rough up the Tubs to increase the contact surface for the glue Step7: Using something to hold the tube. Place a line of medium CA glue the length of the tub and quickly move the tub around inside the wood blank (you have 2 seconds to put it in place). Remember to set the tub to the edge of the side where you marked the line this will ensure the grain matches when you assemble the pen. Also remember to stand the blanks so they don’t stick to the table. The glue will fully set in 30 minutes.

Step 8: Use the mill to true up your blank. Left is the responsible way. The right side shows the wrong way.

Trued up Blanks Note: They are trimmed to the point where the tube is shinny

Step 9: Mount the blank on the mandrel with the lines matching

Step 10: Mount the mandrel as shown and finish using your favorite gouge.

Step 11: Work your way from 150 to 600 grit using constant motion and slight pressure Note: Between grits stop the lathe and sand back and forth to remove circular grit dig-in.

Step 12: Using a paper towel with the Lathe turning apply Boiled Linseed oil into blank.

Step 13: Using the same paper towel Place a small drop of linseed oil and cover with CA glue. Vigorously with medium pressure move combination across moving blank. Repeat three times per side. Should create high gloss finish. After last coat you may want to finish with a plastic polish.

Step 14: Use your wood clamp to assemble the pen in accordance with the directions.