The Dale C. Maley Family Web Site

In 2014, six years ago, I made over 60 different kinds of pens, and gave them away as Christmas gifts to the family.  I kept very few for myself.

I decided to make some pens for myself.  I checked my inventory, and I had 2 of the 30 cal pen kits in inventory, plus 2 types of camo blanks.

Boy, it has been 6 years since I made any pens, so I have forgotten all the details.  I documented how I made the pens on my woodworking web site, but I lost all the photos when the hosting company shut down.

I used my 3/8" gold colored drill to drill the blanks.  One of them, I wallowed out the hole too much, and there is not enough material left to turn.....DARN.

On the 2nd blank, I got the hole drilled ok, but I blew out one end when I was just about done!!!!!!  RATS

Fortunately, I bought a bunch of 3/8" brass tubes, so I could try it again.

Process is:

-saw blank to length on chop saw, make it a hair longer than the brass tube

-hold blank in vise, drill 3/8" center hole

-use 2-part expoxy to glue brass tube in the center hole

-air dry, or speed up with oven dry

-using special bit, hand  hold in drill press and make both ends square to brass tube

-chuck in lathe and start turning

The polishing compound after 6 years had dried to be a hard as a rock.  The paste wax was still ok.

I went to the Australian web site to see what they recommend for rejuvinating the polishing compound........and it said to use Turpentine.

I tried mineral spirits, because I keep it in stock.  It didn't really do much, so I bought a can of Turpentine to try it.

I used a hammer and screwdriver to break off chunks, then crushed the pieces with pliers........then put in a scrap plastic bowl with paint thinner first, then turpentine.

When I made the 60 pens 6 years ago, I had a carbide tipped gouge and skew chisels.   Now, I have 3 carbide replaceable tip lathe tools.

I was hoping my new tools would work better, but I still blew out 2 out of 3 ends on the first 3 blanks I tried to turn!!!!!!!     Boy, is it a sensitive operation !!

I may need to try to lower my steady rest, so the new tools are cutting lower on the blank.