Shopsmith Forums

Being one who never wants to let a good thing be, I have started to ponder.
Why do I need a metal band in the middle of my hand crafted twist pen that shouts out "it came from a kit." Has anyone tried using a blank 1/4 inch longer than the brass insert, sealing and polishing the ends and letting wood meet wood? How about turning a contrasting hard wood, like ebony, to make the 1/4 inch center band? I'm really thinking of giving these ideas a try, but before I re-invent the wheel I thought I would ask your experiences.
Along these same lines, do you have other sources for pen clips...I would like to find one supporting law enforcement and or firefighters.
Thanks all, Gary

There have been a few times that I've made a different center-band, to:
- give a more custom appearance, or
- allow shaping the 2 wood blanks to new diameters of my own choice.
I've used Corian, for instance.

If the center-band has to be strong, as the pencil-kit requires especially, then I've made my own plywood just for it sometimes:
https://forum.shopsmith.com/viewtopic.php?t=915

Enjoy!

I have done several different thing, corian like was mentioned, deer antler, acrylic and I have even use a longer tube and made the system all the same wood and put more design into it. Lots of different approches. Go to the penturners site and you will not believe how they have changed up the pens and most do not use any kit just parts and their own ideas.

kalynzoo wrote:Has anyone tried using a blank 1/4 inch longer than the brass insert, sealing and polishing the ends and letting wood meet wood?

Yep - not bad, looks much more organic.

In a Slimline pen, for example, one does not need to use longer brass tubes. Plenty of room for the filler in the pen cap as is. Of course overall pen length will be reduced by 1/4" without the center band. This could also be true for other twist style pen kits but have no experience with other styles.

Check pen clips here:
http://www.woodpenpro.com/custom_clips/index.html

Regards,
Dwight

Thanks to all.

allsas wrote:Laminated pen clips

Dear Allsas, this link is awsome. Thanks, Gary

kalynzoo wrote:Being one who never wants to let a good thing be, I have started to ponder.
Why do I need a metal band in the middle of my hand crafted twist pen that shouts out "it came from a kit." Has anyone tried using a blank 1/4 inch longer than the brass insert, sealing and polishing the ends and letting wood meet wood? How about turning a contrasting hard wood, like ebony, to make the 1/4 inch center band? I'm really thinking of giving these ideas a try, but before I re-invent the wheel I thought I would ask your experiences.
Along these same lines, do you have other sources for pen clips...I would like to find one supporting law enforcement and or firefighters.
Thanks all, Gary

Gary,

You do not need a metal band. I never use them. I love the various types of wood and thrive on attempting to make the beauty of those varieties come together to create an artistic pen that is pleasing to the eye. We all have differing impression of beauty I suggest allowing your artistic bend to come out through the creations you design. FJIMP

ah ha! this topic is same as my question about pen turner. Thanks all for anrswer
but go hcm