My First Pen

[TrinityTam]

I’ve been lurking for quite some time, building up the nerve to try turning my own kitless pen. I studied the tutorials put up by BigShed and Shawn Newton on the IAP forums. I watched Shawn’s YouTube videos. I finally decided to take the plunge and after shattering 3 pens worth of blanks, managed to make this. Turned on a Jet 1221vs wood lathe. Because I haven’t yet invested in the tooling to make custom sections, I used an El Grande nib with section for my first go.

 

 

 

 

I’m happy with my first successful attempt. There are many things I’d do differently next time: slightly shorter tenon on the barrel, less drastic a step between barrel and tenon. I need to start saving my pennies for a triple-start tap and die set because the 5 turns it takes to put on and take off the cap is driving me nuts.

 

I’d love to get feedback and any advice! Thanks for looking.

 

Best,

Jane

 

[Estycollector]

Congratulations....!!!

[Uncial]

Nice material

[ParramattaPaul]

Well done.

[PAKMAN]

Very nice! Congrats!

[BigShed]

Great effort, good looking pen. Nice to see that you found my tutorial useful.

 

One way to reduce the step from barrel to section is to have the cap go over the barrel rather than have it the same OD as the barrel.

 

Fred

Edited September 21, 2020 by BigShed

[Inspector]

Good first kick at the cat.

 

Pete

[TrinityTam]

The tutorial was great. The pictures really help. Gave me a good starting point for trial and error with the tools I have on hand.

 

 

Great effort, good looking pen. Nice to see that you found my tutorial useful.

 

One way to reduce the step from barrel to section is to have the cap go over the barrel rather than have it the same OD as the barrel.

 

Fred

[Misfit]

That’s quite an accomplishment. Cool pen.

[darrin1200]

Nice start. I like the outside shape.

Getting the barrel and cap to have a smooth outer connection and keeping the step down on the barrel small, is a fine balancing act. Once you do a few more, you will get the feel for how thin you can go.

 

Darrin

[amberleadavis]

CONGRATS

[WLSpec]

Congrats, that's a really good looking pen!

[Percy]

Wow, what a beautiful pen! And your first? Congrats!  

[elysee]

Your pen is lovely — you did a great job!

 

Although you do not like the five turns for taking off and putting on the cap, I like the idea.  That makes for a sure fit and nice protection for the nib.