The ideal project for a woodturner of any level is to create a beautiful writing instrument with inlaid wood accents. Handmade pens make beautiful gifts, and do a nice job of showing off the unique style of figured wood, not to mention your own skills as a craftsman. Making a woodturned pen from a wood pen blank requires a minimum of tools, and the completed work of art can be reached without spending more than an afternoon, requiring much less effort than would be necessary for a larger piece of art or furniture. Even though pens are common everyday objects, a handmade writing instrument can be a real showpiece and an eye-catching display of craftsmanship.
Most people expect woodworking to require a huge amount of space and a wide variety of tools, envisioning building immense and time-consuming projects like coffee tables, dressers, or desks. Better options exist for small-time hobbyists, and a typical favorite is producing pens using a lathe and small wood blocks. These small objects are easy to work with and can be done with a minimum of tools and space.
Figured wood is a time-tested favorite material for artistic creations. With its deep, rich coloration and undulating patterns, it displays a natural appearance with incredible depth. Burl wood displays the most dynamic texture, and, while being rare and hard to find, is of particular value to woodturners.
Before turning your pen blank on a lathe, the first step will be to drill a hole through it and glue the metal tube from your hardware kit in place. The placement of this tube establishes the dimensional center of the piece, and you'll use a mandrel to fasten it on your lathe. Because of the tiny wood particles that are inevitably scattered about during woodturning, I always employ an air hose to keep the mess in my work space more controlled. You can use a roughing gouge to initially round the pen blank into a circular form, followed by a skew and other tools to apply the finishing touches and shape the final piece. You should feel free to experiment, and sculpt the wood into a form that shows off its unique character. You can add decorative cuts, bevels and contours to the pen using an assortment of different tools, and you should plan to follow this up with a careful sanding to prepare a comfortably smooth surface for the wood. This can be done easily while the pen blank is still mounted on your lathe.
Knowing all these details, you're all ready to begin choosing wood for your next project, and start designing your own piece of unique art!
Most people expect woodworking to require a huge amount of space and a wide variety of tools, envisioning building immense and time-consuming projects like coffee tables, dressers, or desks. Better options exist for small-time hobbyists, and a typical favorite is producing pens using a lathe and small wood blocks. These small objects are easy to work with and can be done with a minimum of tools and space.
Figured wood is a time-tested favorite material for artistic creations. With its deep, rich coloration and undulating patterns, it displays a natural appearance with incredible depth. Burl wood displays the most dynamic texture, and, while being rare and hard to find, is of particular value to woodturners.
Before turning your pen blank on a lathe, the first step will be to drill a hole through it and glue the metal tube from your hardware kit in place. The placement of this tube establishes the dimensional center of the piece, and you'll use a mandrel to fasten it on your lathe. Because of the tiny wood particles that are inevitably scattered about during woodturning, I always employ an air hose to keep the mess in my work space more controlled. You can use a roughing gouge to initially round the pen blank into a circular form, followed by a skew and other tools to apply the finishing touches and shape the final piece. You should feel free to experiment, and sculpt the wood into a form that shows off its unique character. You can add decorative cuts, bevels and contours to the pen using an assortment of different tools, and you should plan to follow this up with a careful sanding to prepare a comfortably smooth surface for the wood. This can be done easily while the pen blank is still mounted on your lathe.
Knowing all these details, you're all ready to begin choosing wood for your next project, and start designing your own piece of unique art!
About the Author:
Figured wood from North Woods, LLC, will make any woodworking project more aesthetically appealing due to its textured appearance.
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