This is the best instruction I've seen. I've used tape and slowed way down to try not to blow out the end, but this method makes so much more sense! Paint the blank, not the tube. Duh. I should have known that. Thank you.
You're such a clever fellow! So far, I'm sticking to wood. Mainly because I have enough wood to do a million pens. But its just a matter of time until I venture into acrylics. Thanks, again.
Great tips as always! I scrapped 3 blanks last weekend because I didn't like the way the glue looked on the tubes I painted. I'll be painting the blank from now on!
Thank you, I used the band saw because I have a jig and it was convenient. I have used t he sander before and it works just as well. Maybe a little dustier but it does a great job. Regards, Bob
You are such a great mentor. Could you let us know where to purchase the jig that you used with your sander? And the other Jig for cropping the corners is a great jig also. Thank you. By the way I do like your new format.
Hi Bob - have you ever used "solid surface countertop" material (like Corian or Hi-Macs) to make blanks? I understand that they are similar to acrylic blanks. I was given some of this stuff free recently. Bob
Bob is there a plan for making the jig you use to remove the sharp edges of blank? I have been using my router and you way is much better and faster? Thanks for another great video.
Hello Winston, If your talking about the jig I used on the sander. Signature Pen Supply sells them. You also need a set of punches, Harbor Freight sells those. Call Signature and ask for the sanding jig, I believe it was under $15.00. Tell Jim and Angie I sent you, there friends of mine. It works great for Squaring the ends of blanks too. Way less aggressive than pen mills. Regards, Nib
Thanks for your quick response. After rereading my message to you I see where I left the wrong impression as to the jig I was referring to, I meant the jig that you used on your bandsaw to cut about a 45 degree angle on the length of the blank at all four corners. I am sorry for not taking the time to reread my message and in fact I was going to ask about this jig as my next question. Thank you for taking your time to answer.
LOL, Sorry about that. I didn’t make that jig, but I’d be happy to send you a few photos of it. Email me at RJBWoodturner@ufoww.com and next time I’m in the shop, I’ll reply with pics of the jig. It’s relatively simple. Regards, Bob
Great video. I just cannot seem to get a decent method to drill all the way through without a dozen steps up through bit sizes and way too many times seizing up. Using lubricant, sharp new bits, slow speed, but tired of drilling one out taking hours.
Have you tried purchasing bits for pen turning? I started with my standard wood bits then purchased a few from the pen catalogs and there is a world of difference. Regards, Bob
@@RJBWoodTurner Thank you for responding and for the advice. Even with a brand-new bit, bought from a reputable pen turning supplier, it kept getting bound up. I think part of the problem is my old drill press that has a speed adjustment simply in a dial form, making it just a rheostat or dimmer switch, instead of actually changing pulleys inside a typical drill press. I think trying to go as slow as I did bogged down the press so that it didn't have the torque necessary to continue cutting. I gained a little better ground once I increased the speed so that it had more momentum, and backed off the pressure the second I found it hesitating. Still, not exactly what I expected. Perhaps I should try drilling one out on a better drill press because that very well could be the primary problem. But, before I would buy a new drill press I think it would buy a proper Chuck and then a Jacob's Chuck on a mandrel to do it properly.
+Richard Gamble You’re welcome, you can get that jig at www.signaturepen.com, the owner, Jim Pratt, is a friend of mine, tell him I sent you. Regards, Bob
+Mike Fas I know, I wasn’t sure if I should with these two videos. I plan to let them run for a while then update them with anything I forgot. I promise I’ll put the closing on the new ones. Several people have commented on that. Regards, Bob
RJBWoodTurner my wife is often within an earshot when I'm watching your videos on my cell phone. She knows at the end I always say... 'I want you to know that YOU are always welcome in MY shop. Come back again and see me real soon!' something so small that you made up has gotten quite large, in my opinion. Hehe
I am liking the level of detail in this new format, but the videos seem to end a little abruptly. Definitely missing Bob's signature signoff at the end of the last 2 vids.
This is the best instruction I've seen. I've used tape and slowed way down to try not to blow out the end, but this method makes so much more sense! Paint the blank, not the tube. Duh. I should have known that. Thank you.
Thank you April,
I’m so happy this helped you.
Regards,
Bob
You're such a clever fellow! So far, I'm sticking to wood. Mainly because I have enough wood to do a million pens. But its just a matter of time until I venture into acrylics. Thanks, again.
Thank you Bill,
I turn acrylics on occasion but I prefer turning wood.
Regards,
Bob
Very clear simple logical instructions ! Thanks from this beginner!
Thank you Cynthia,
I’m happy you found the video useful.
Regards,
Bob
Love this video; so helpful in preparing acrylic blanks.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Bennie.
Regards,
Bob
I'm liking the series Bob. Good job!
+Howard Camardelle Thank you Howard.
Regards,
Bob
Bob, nice jig. That’s a great idea using the angle iron to support the blank.
+Carlos Zarate I wish it was my idea. It’s awesome!
Regards,
Bob
Love the idea of painting the inside of the blank. I've stayed away from lighter colored blanks because i could see the brass after turning it. Thanks
Thank you Art.
Regards,
Bob
I like the new format for your channel. Seems you can get much more detail information into it.
+denis daurer I hope so, I shot several turning videos today now to edit them and see how the turn out.
Regards,
Bob
Another great video Bob.
+BlueBoy9055 Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Great tips as always! I scrapped 3 blanks last weekend because I didn't like the way the glue looked on the tubes I painted. I'll be painting the blank from now on!
+ROWLESmade Thank you,
It makes a world of difference.
Regards,
Bob
nice bob very well done. Jim
+Jimmie Bingle Sr Thank you Jim.
Regards,
Bob
Great vid as always. Gonna have to "borrow" your idea for the jig for cutting the corners off the blanks.
+B Lenane Go for it. That thing works great!
Regards,
Bob
great video, and wonderful tips
I love the band saw jig
Thank you Bob.Regards,Bob
Good stuff Bob . Take care .
+Glen mckelvey Thank you Glen.
Regards,
Bob
Great tips again Bob....
+Robert Evans Thank you Robert.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks for a nice QUICK video.
Thank you Grant.
Regards,
Bob
Why not sand the coners off the bank? Interesting video. Learned a few things
Thank you,
I used the band saw because I have a jig and it was convenient. I have used t he sander before and it works just as well. Maybe a little dustier but it does a great job.
Regards,
Bob
Will you show details of your band saw jig? That's a great idea. Love the idea of how you just drilled the amount you need for the tube.
+Charlie Odom let me ask the builder if he’s ok with me doing that.
Regards,
Bob
Great Tips Bob! I was wondering if you could do a quick video or write up a tutorial on that jig you made
Thank you Jeff.
Here you are:
Pen Blank Corner Trimming Jig
th-cam.com/video/HV7V5ewo2GM/w-d-xo.html
Regards,
Bob
Thanks again for making these videos
+Tim Halcomb Thank you Tim.
Regards,
Bob
Adding those corner cutoffs to a cating would make a very interesting custom pen blank.
+Michael Trent Thank you,
I may have to try that.
Regards,
Bob
I was wondering how well you like your blank vise. I've been using a block clamp to hold my blanks while drilling but I think it's time to upgrade.
+Shane Betmarik I love it. There about $50.00 but if you’re going to drill on the press that make it easy.
Regards,
Bob
Could you talk about what kind of paint it is? Enamel or acrylic?
Enamel model car paint. I get it at the hobby store.
Regards,
Bob
You are such a great mentor. Could you let us know where to purchase the jig that you used with your sander? And the other Jig for cropping the corners is a great jig also. Thank you. By the way I do like your new format.
Eddie Stipe ... it's called a pen blank sanding jig. I've seen it sold at beartoothwoods.com . Currently, it is out of stock
+Shane Betmarik signature pen supply also sells it, and there in stock. Jim Pratt is a friend of mine. Tell him I sent you.
Regards,
Bob
+Eddie Stipe Thank you Eddie,
Signature Pen supply sells the sanding jig. Tell Jim Pratt I sent you, he’s a friend of mine.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner excellent! Many thanks! Ordering one now
Hi Bob - have you ever used "solid surface countertop" material (like Corian or Hi-Macs) to make blanks? I understand that they are similar to acrylic blanks. I was given some of this stuff free recently. Bob
Hello Bob,
I have used Corian. It turns and finished beautifully, it just creates a lot of dust.
Regards,
Bob
@@RJBWoodTurner Thanks, Bob. Not too dusty for me, but I find it hard to cut (though my tools might not be sharp enough).
Bob is there a plan for making the jig you use to remove the sharp edges of blank? I have been using my router and you way is much better and faster? Thanks for another great video.
Hello Winston,
If your talking about the jig I used on the sander. Signature Pen Supply sells them. You also need a set of punches, Harbor Freight sells those. Call Signature and ask for the sanding jig, I believe it was under $15.00. Tell Jim and Angie I sent you, there friends of mine. It works great for Squaring the ends of blanks too. Way less aggressive than pen mills.
Regards,
Nib
Thanks for your quick response. After rereading my message to you I see where I left the wrong impression as to the jig I was referring to, I meant the jig that you used on your bandsaw to cut about a 45 degree angle on the length of the blank at all four corners. I am sorry for not taking the time to reread my message and in fact I was going to ask about this jig as my next question. Thank you for taking your time to answer.
LOL,
Sorry about that. I didn’t make that jig, but I’d be happy to send you a few photos of it. Email me at RJBWoodturner@ufoww.com and next time I’m in the shop, I’ll reply with pics of the jig. It’s relatively simple.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks Bob, I have sent you my email address.
Amazing job as always. Thank you for making these videos. Have you ever tried turning Micarta for a pen?
Thank you, I haven’t turned Micarta yet but maybe some day.
Regards,
Bob
Great video. I just cannot seem to get a decent method to drill all the way through without a dozen steps up through bit sizes and way too many times seizing up. Using lubricant, sharp new bits, slow speed, but tired of drilling one out taking hours.
Have you tried purchasing bits for pen turning? I started with my standard wood bits then purchased a few from the pen catalogs and there is a world of difference.
Regards,
Bob
@@RJBWoodTurner Thank you for responding and for the advice. Even with a brand-new bit, bought from a reputable pen turning supplier, it kept getting bound up. I think part of the problem is my old drill press that has a speed adjustment simply in a dial form, making it just a rheostat or dimmer switch, instead of actually changing pulleys inside a typical drill press. I think trying to go as slow as I did bogged down the press so that it didn't have the torque necessary to continue cutting. I gained a little better ground once I increased the speed so that it had more momentum, and backed off the pressure the second I found it hesitating. Still, not exactly what I expected. Perhaps I should try drilling one out on a better drill press because that very well could be the primary problem. But, before I would buy a new drill press I think it would buy a proper Chuck and then a Jacob's Chuck on a mandrel to do it properly.
I hope you’re able to figure this out.
Regards,
Bob
Thank you for the great information and where can I find a Pen Blank Squaring Jig like yours ?
+Richard Gamble You’re welcome, you can get that jig at www.signaturepen.com, the owner, Jim Pratt, is a friend of mine, tell him I sent you.
Regards,
Bob
Where do I buy these raw materials?
This was a gift, made by a friend.
Regards,
Bob
Bob! You didn't close with your line! I want you to know that YOU are always welcome in my shop! What happened? You. Feeling OK? :)
+Mike Fas I know, I wasn’t sure if I should with these two videos. I plan to let them run for a while then update them with anything I forgot. I promise I’ll put the closing on the new ones. Several people have commented on that.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner I'm just messing with you Bob. It's just become your 'thing' sir.
+Mike Fas LOL, I know, it was funny how many people mentioned the closing.
RJBWoodTurner my wife is often within an earshot when I'm watching your videos on my cell phone. She knows at the end I always say... 'I want you to know that YOU are always welcome in MY shop. Come back again and see me real soon!' something so small that you made up has gotten quite large, in my opinion. Hehe
+Mike Fas LOL, it’s funny how things you say stick sometimes.
I am liking the level of detail in this new format, but the videos seem to end a little abruptly. Definitely missing Bob's signature signoff at the end of the last 2 vids.
+TFossS LOL,
I was trying to meet them short and to the point. The turning videos will still have the sign off.
Regards,
Bob