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Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:26 am
by fredsheldon
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Here is the result of my first attempt to sandwich a leftover strip of red cedar between two pin oaks. My next attempt will be to stack several layers of different leftovers several inches high and about a foot long then cut out blocks on a 45 degree angle to see what kind of results I get.
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:34 pm
by eagleta2
I really appreciate you guys diving into this for me... see what I mean? It sure is a perplexing problem to wrap your head around...at least it is for me.
I know I could laminate two contrasting woods about 1/4" thick and then cut them at a 45 degree angle...and while that might make a nice looking pen, it would lack the "twisted" effect that I am searching for....
I'm confident that one of the pros out here on the forum know the geometry needed to make this result happen. I will also continue my search online and if I find the result I will post it.
Thanks again everyone
Geo
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:43 pm
by lightnin
This looks kind of easy if you had his tools. You would need to make some gears and things to do this.
The spiral cut would be different for a barber pole then wind brass wire in it and dye the wood.
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:01 pm
by eagleta2
Wow...ironically I just watched that video....very interesting process.
I am still challenged by this, only because I really want to make a traditional pen blank that appears to have the 2 wood spiral around each other.
I'm not quite ready to give up yet!
Thanks
Geo
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:27 pm
by lightnin
If I were gonna try I would tape then pencil mark the spirals then use my Sloyd knives to
slowly carefully cut spiral groves then die the stripes and wrap brass wire in the groves.
Alternatives to brass could be stainless, Black braided fishing line or burn it with a heat knife.
NOTE: this is from someone who has never turned a pen.
Almost Barber Poles.
Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2012 11:21 pm
by fredsheldon
Well not barber poles, but getting closer. I glued scraps together and then cut out 45 degree blocks.
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Yep
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 9:49 am
by wrmnfzy
That is what I remember from many moon ago doing.
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 11:42 am
by terrydowning
A nice bit of segmenting work.
Be careful drilling those to make sure the hole does not wander when drilling.
The only problem with the segmenting shown is that it lacks the helical twist of a barber pole or peppermint stick.
They do look good though. Nice Job.
I Love These Pens
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2012 10:22 pm
by db5
I'm tempted to do some but realize that the time spent searching this site for recommendations and help will encompass hours and that the priorities (not projects) my wife has will be delayed and finally considering what these will be sold for in an estate sale, I've conduced that a $1000 pen that will sell for $5 is not a good trade off. But then by the time it is sold I will be deceased and won't care. So, what really matters is what was my satisfaction from producing something so beautiful? It is regretable that unless this is passed to a family member with some written documentation on the date, effort, process, etc. that it will mean nothing to an estate buyer. Just a pretty pen that will ultimately end in the trash. Such a tragedy. So, with every pen you produce, provide a story and pictures. This creates a history as well as value.
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2012 8:31 am
by fredsheldon
That's why most of my pens/letter openers are going to be gifts. I am having brass plates engraved with something like "Made Especially for XXXXX XXXXX by Fred Sheldon" that I will attach to a nice wood case. There are 25 Adults in my immediate family that will be receiving these gifts for Christmas this year. Hopefully they will keep them in the family and pass them down to their kids.
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