How to make a Piano Keyboard Pen Blank
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 มิ.ย. 2017
- In this video I go step-by-step through the process I used to create this awesome Piano Keyboard blank and pen.
Regards,
Bob
My Info:
Facebook: / 992853487406788
Instagram: @RJBWoodturner
E-Mail: RJBWoodturner@yahoo.com
Be sure to check out my second channel, WhatchaDoinBob, it’s a VLOG about what I’m doing at any given time. / whatchadoinbob - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
My mother was a church musician her entire life, and was a piano performance/education major in college. This pen reminds me of her. When it was finished, I teared up because it was so beautiful. She died in 2016, so I love these moments of remembrance. Thank you for giving me one today.
Thank you for sharing this memory with me, it really made my day reading it. God bless your move in heaven.
Regards,
Bob
I'm glad I found this video, as I have a friend who plays the organ. This would be the perfect pen for him.
Hello Mark,
Be real careful cutting the blank for the keys. My method may not have been the safest so a specific jig may need to be made to accomplish cutting the blanks for the keys and to protect the fingers.
Regards,
Bob
absolutely kickass!! beautiful! didn't know corian would or could turn that well..thanks for sharing !!
+Mick Motly Thank you Mick,
It turns great, just makes dust instead of chips and ribbons.
Regards,
Bob
You just have a knack for explaining things in the simplest, most understanding terms. I enjoy watching your videos and have learned a lot. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Peter,
I appreciate that.
Regards,
Bob
Nice looking blank,Great job Bob,Thanks for sharing!
+Kwstas Antwniou Thank you Kwstas.
Regards,
Bob
Great video, the design brought to mind the Bumblebee capacitors used in guitars and that led to the idea of a Yellowheart and Ebony or Walnut Bumblebee pen. You continue to inspire, thank you.
Thank you,
I never thought about that but now that you mention it, I can see it.
Regards,
Bob
Awesome looking pen Bob!! Love the ideas you come up with and that has us step up our creativity as well!!
+John Bittner Thank you John.
Regards,
Bob
Thank you again Bob for sharing, the video was very informative and the result was gorgeous, well done. 👍
+Eric Milligan Thank you Eric.
Regards,
Bob
You make some truly amazing pens and you continue to inspire me to want to get into making pens myself. I can’t wait until the next video
Thank you Raymond.
Regards,
Bob
Awesome work Bob! It was great to hear your thoughts during the process, and it came together beautifully at the end!
+Zac Higgins Thank you Zac.
Regards,
Bob
Looks great Bob!
Thank yoy Ron.
Regards,
Bob
Beautiful.
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
That is a great looking blank and pen Bob
Scott
+MrSkooty1968 Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Bob! The pen and you are amazing!
+Steve Brown Thank you Steve.
Regards,
Bob
I love the style you did with this Pen!
Thank you James.
Regards,
Bob
Hey amazing pen one of the most unique ones I have ever seen and I'd also like to thank you with helping me with tracking down those drill bits in the end the rollerball pen I made was amazing thank you
+Moses Thank you Moses, I'm glad I could help.
Regards,
Bob
Great pen Bob, thank you
+Val Borchardt Thank you Val.
Regards,
Bob
Awesome pen Bob, pretty cool you made a piano pen from old piano keys! Glad you found a use for them. 😀
+Wes Woods Thank you Wes's,
I've been want to make this pen for a long time but couldn't find wood white enough. When James showed up with that Corian, I pulled it out of the box an said, I know what I'm going to do with this. I even gave him one of the keys to try his own.
Regards,
Bob
Great looking pen, I like the modified version.
+Michael Custard Thank you Michael.
Regards,
Bob
Very Cool!
+Rick Troup Thank you Rick.
Regards,
Bob
Awesome pen, Bob. Thumbs up.
+OG Timbercraft Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Another great video Bob Thanks.
+Nigel Morrow Thank you Nigel.
Regards,
Bob
lovely pen very nice
+Mick Coates Thank you Mick.
Regards,
Bob
So beautiful pen
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
That pen Bob, is a thing of beauty and I think any pianist would be very proud to have a pen like that! As always, very well presented video.
+BlueBoy9055 Thank you very
Much for such a kind comment, I truly appreciate it.
Regards,
Bob
Another very informative video Bob, great work!!!
+ChicagoPens Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Great video, like the jig for the bandsaw also.
Thank you Gabe.
Regards,
Bob
Very cool! My daughter wants me to make one for her. She's getting ready to start college next month as a music major.
+Shutyourjibbs Congratulations, college is a big step. I hope she has a great experience.
Regards,
Bob
That is a phenomenal pen. Being a keyboard player (check my very first vid) that pen speaks to me loudly! Nice! Very nice!
+Willem Kossen Thank you Willem.
I need to try it a second time because I learned so much and believe I could make it easier and better. I hope you try one and if you do, I want pictures.
Regards,
Bob
Amazing
Thank you Jeff.
Regards,
Bob
That was great. I find your vids very relaxing, informative and educational. I haven't got into pens yet, I'm still busy turning tool handles and Celtic Knots. Recently I made a 8 cut Celtic Knot and if I do say so myself, it looks great. So thanks for your vid and greetings from Downunder.
+paggodiablo01 Thank you very much for this kind comment, I truly appreciate it. I'd love to see a photo some time of that 8 cut knot, I'll bet it looks amazing!
Regards,
Bob
BEAUTIFUL pen, Bob. Very creative. Here is an idea to try for applying CA. Instead of the tape on your finger, use one (or more) of the little bags the pen parts come in. I've started doing this when I work with CA and have had no issues.
+Mark Hazlewood Thanks for the tip Mark,
I will have to give that a try.
Regards,
Bob
New to your channel really enjoyed watching the piano pen that you made. Your instructions are easy to grasp. Many thanks Robby
Thank you Robby.
Regards,
Bob
Excellent...
+Ralph Ross Thank you Ralph.
Regards,
Bob
Awsome pen 👍
+Bryn Phipps Thank you Bryn.
Regards,
Bob
fantastic
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Beautiful pen Bob.
+Don Hartsaw Thank you Don.
Regards,
Bob
Lot of though in this one. So glad it turned out well. Beautiful Pen. And yes, I made the jump to 6:17 ---
+Bob Stembridge LOL,
With the longer video, I wanted to give viewers the option to cut out some of the parts that linger. If something happens during the turning, I won't post a jump note.
Regards,
Bob
Really nice pen from a great and unusual idea... I Liked it well done.
Thank you Buster.
Regards,
Bob
Excellent...
Cheers...
+Adam Quincey Thank you Adam.
Regards,
Bob
Well done Bob! I enjoyed the video and I Iearned a lot.
Karl
+Karl Becker Thank you Karl.
Regards,
Bob
👍awesome
Thank you.
Older video... BUT SUPER cool. Love it.
Thank you Angie.
Regards,
Bob
It sure is different what you are doing with the making off these pens, maybe I will try one soon, great to watch look foward to the next epesiode.
+William Donnelly Thank you William.
Regards,
Bob
Great job Bob. l like the idea of your blank better than the blank I made for my daughter. it was the laser cut one and the glue in pieces were maple with a black wood body. If you don't apply a heavy ca finish in the beginning, you get black stains into the maple. Turning with a skew helps, but wasn't thrilled with the price either. Like your idea much better.Thanks for sharing
+Ron Parrott Thank you Ron.
Regards,
Bob
Great project 👏👏👏🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Thank you. 😊
Regards ,
Bob
Very nice
+Mike Turner Thank you Mike.
Regards,
Bob
I also have a Harbor Freight Lathe, I find that drilling the holes with the lathe like you said makes a larger hole and the bit drifts a lot. I prefer to use the Drill Press and a blank Vise. PLease keep making your videos.
Thank you Lee I will.
Regards,
Bob
Great pen, looks really nice. Might even look better with a treble clef clip. 👍
That would be a nice touch.
Regards,
Bob
Great videos, thank you for providing them to watch. Any advice for a new woodworker learning to turn? I still don’t have a lathe yet but would really like to have some better ideas about how to learn first. Are pens /spindles easier to learn or better to learn before trying bowls etc ? What would you advise a new student ? Many thanks!
I’d probably start with pens and spindles and bowls require a specific technique. Once your comfortable with the lathe and tools then attempt bowls.
Nice👍
+Steve Muise Thank you Steve.
Regards,
Bob
Not trying to tell you your business but you may want to try only tightening one hole on your drill chuck instead of all three. I have worked with wood, concrete and metal for years and if you get a catch with your drill bit that tight you will break the blank or drill bit. By tightening only one it will allow the drill bit to spin in case of a catch.
Love the video and will have to try this one for sure, my sister in law is a piano teacher and concert pianist. She would love one and her husband and my brother has been a music teacher for 35 years. THANKS FOR SHARING.
+Brad Garms Thank you for the info Brad. I hope you give this Blank a try.
Regards,
Bob
You are having too much fun. Great video. I think you could make a pen out of mashed potatoes and it would work. I learn something new
every time you put out a new video. Great job.
+denis daurer Thank you Dennis,
Mashed potatoes, hmmmmm, let me think about that. LOL.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner Use epoxy instead of water to mix the potatoes 😊
Ron
Bob I would not change a thing, It look GREAT
Thank you Douglas. Regards,
Bob
Oh, Bob great looking pen. I understand the white is the longer white keys but wouldn't it look cool if you could write a name in "old cursive" hand writing. Like it looks like on a Baldwin pianos. I wish there was enough blank to use the pen kit that had the treble cleft on the clip.
+Marcy Cooper Cool Ideas Marcy,
I may revisit this blank in the future. When I make theses videos, I'm trying to figure stuff out and once there finished, I get so many ideas how to make them easier and better.
Regards,
Bob
Very nice, but would have been even better if you had had a way of making a dark line between the double white keys to show them as separate keys. I have no idea how to do that, but it would have been a nice touch.
+Michael Trent I have an idea for doing that, I just need some time to work on it.
Regards,
Bob
I know this is a older video but can I ask where you are getting the long brad bits? Great idea for a blank.
Www.pennstateind.com. It’s PK-7MM I believe.
Regards,
Bob
The only thing you might want to change is use the darkest gaboon ebony you can find for the black keys. Some keys looked a bit brown.
Thank you.
new to this but how do you change the ink cartridge? without the joint in the middle ? besides that looks great I enjoy all your videos
Using a fingernail you can get it under the nib and pull it out of the body of the pen.
Regards,
Bob
Beau travail
😃
Bob I have a question, could one be made so the bottom half twisted like a normal slim line but with no trim ring.The bottom and top meet to make a continues keyboard ?
I don’t see why not. Try splitting the blank at one of the keys to hide the seam. I think it would work well.
Regards,
Bob
Nice. If you ever go into production with it Penn State has a music clip for the slimline.
+Tenspeed TheBikeHanger Thank you,
I think I'm moving away from production to sell and staying more with one offs and videos. It's way more fun. That clip would have been really cool with this pen though.
Regards,
Bob
I hear you, Bob. I keep toying with the idea of fleabay, but truth is I am interested in making elegant top end kits with innovative wood blanks and I suspect the market is more geared to $20 acrylic Slimlines. I also don't like the production line aspect of things, I like to create when I am in the mood, not be pressed to produce pens. Last, I am too much of a perfectionist. The slightest flaw would prevent me from selling the pen and we both know that it is a rare pen that is 100% perfect. It is a fun hobby, not too sure I want to try to turn a profit from it though.
+Tenspeed TheBikeHanger I started making for shows and shops and it took the fun out of the hobby for me. I already have a job, I didn't want another. I just want to make pens and have fun doing that. That's why I got into this In the first place, I will say that making all those pens gave me a decent education on what to look out for as well as experience on repairing my mistakes.
Regards,
Bob
Great step by step video, in 24:07 where you start to finish pen with buffing wheel after wet sand with MM, what type of compound "blue" you use on buffing wheel? I normally use MM and just a bit of mineral oil if needed to to polish. Thanks, nice looking pen BTW.
That is Blue Rouge. It is a very fine polishing compound that removes very little material and is designed to polish. It works great on a flannel wheel. You can find it easily by searching blue rouge polishing compound.
Regards,
Bob
@@RJBWoodTurner Thank you Bob for the information. Say Hi to Rawlston for me.
Will do. I usually see him as I’m leaving the plant.
Slimline should just start make a pin kit like that it's one of my favorites
+Barry Fields I agree,
I love all the blank that shows with the modified pen.
Regards,
Bob
Love the pen. I hope if you're not using it, you found a musician to gift it to.
Thank you Ronald,
I still have it.
Regards,
Bob
Bob,
Your videos are the best! Methods fully explained. Great ideas on unique blanks. Couple of questions if I may... Does CA offer an advantage over 2 part epoxy in gluing up these special blanks. Also you mentioned tail stock movement on your HF lathe. I have an old Craftsman and tail stock does not line up great either. Does this create out of round pens for you? If so how do you compensate for that. Thank you!
+John Anthony Thank you John,
Epoxy is a much better adhesive IMO. I use C/A because most of the time I'm prototyping when I make these videos and C/A dries so quickly.
An unaligned tailstock an cause an out of round blank. It will cause the mandrel to flex and that's where the issue comes in.
There may be some adjustment you can make to your TS. I'd fiddle with it and try to
Bring it into alignment.
My HF is just sloppy the way it's machined. I've tried and tried to tighten it to no avail. It aligns well it just vibrates.
Regards,
Bob
Bob,
Feel better about epoxy now. Because of one of your previous videos will be trying a pen mandrel saver. Afraid old lathe fits are worn. Will keep trying. Thank you again!
John
+John Anthony Keep me posted.
Regards,
Bob
Looks great Bob . You could try a skillsaw blade to reduce the kerf size . A lot of them are thinner then table saw blades . It should go high enough to get the depth you need . Take care .
+Glen mckelvey Do you know
If they have a straight carbide tip on the blade or an angled tip. I need a flat cut at the bottom. If there flat, it will work great plus those blades are inexpensive.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner
Hi Bob . I 'm going through my blades . And I got a few that I'm pretty sure would cut a flat bottom . But of course I can't see the name on it . I think it's a black & decker . I'm going to check my stacked dado cut . Maybe one of the chipper blades would cut a flat bottom .
+Glen mckelvey Thank you Glen,
I used my stacked Dado it's just a really wide blade. I'll take a look at some blades next time I go to the big box store.
Regards,
Bob
It could take a little bit to set it up but after watching this and giving it some thought. How about using an 1/8 in flat bottom carbide router bit.
I have so many questions it’s not even funny but I need to get my tools together before I begin my education on the art of making amazing pens
Thank you Raymond.
Nice job Bob, gotta have patience tho.
+Denny Skerb Thank you Denny,
It does take a little patience, LOL.
Regards,
Bob
I was wondering if you would like to try and turn a custom blank I make my self I would love to see it on TH-cam bob let me know and if so where I can send it thanks a lot great videos btw
RJBWoodTurner great I will send it out real soon
Sure, send it over.
Whenever I make modified slimline pens, they end up being incredibly hard to rotate their nib. Has this ever happened to you?
Nib rotation is not usually an issue however, nib/lower section removal for ink replacement is.
Regards,
Bob
I am new and have been watching you a lot I am curious is there not anyway to secure your blank vise to your drill press so you get a straight hole, it seems you have a lot of movement everytime you drill? Please do not think I am criticizing you at all I love your work.
They do sell vises for drill presses but mine doesn’t have any hold downs. I’ve been looking for a replacement.
Regards,
Bob
@@RJBWoodTurner good to know, gives me a better understanding of what to look for..
Thanks for the video! Looks great, one thing that could make it look even more like a piano, although it would be a lot of work, is to cut the corian and the glue it back together so the white part will look like the individual keys of the piano, as there will be a slight line between each, but that would be a lot more work. Looks great, thanks again!
+Steven Lee Thank you for the idea Steven,
I was thinking of redoing this blank with improvements. I was going to use Wood and burn the outline of the white keys but now I may try your idea.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner Bob I wonder how it would look using a thin piano wire to lightly make thin line to define individual keys? It would show the definition and be a lot less work?
Ron
Did you dry fit the Ebony before you started gluing?
+Barry Fields Yes,
That's why they were in a row on the table. It was a very humid day and they sat for a while after being cut so some of them felt tighter when installed.
Regards,
Bob
I am a complete noob in pen wood-turning, so, I apologize if the question looks silly to some, but from the way you had it assembled I cannot see how you can replace the cartridge ones it s empty. Am I missing something?
Love the design, as well some of the other designs you have shared with the community. Great job, nice explanations of the process and a lot of ideas to pick from.
Take care.
Good morning. To replace the ink, grab the nib and pull it out of the pen. The front tube is pressed into it as is the transmission but there not glued into the pen.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks for the reply. After re-watching it, I saw that the mechanism was just pushed inside the blank, not glued.
Thank you, I’m glad I could help, it’s a really easy pen to make.
Beautiful pen. What model pen is that?
+Mike Barnstable Its the Funline from Penn State.
Regards,
Bob
gonna give this a shot tonight with some of my whiskey stave blanks tonight..... May need to play about a bit and see what happens.
Photos please Colin,
I’d love to see your version.
Regards,
Bob
What could really set this off would be to add a Treble clef pocket clip. you can get this at Pennstate
Great suggestion George.
Redards,
Bob
Where do you buy the Miter slide you are using on the belt sander table?
That table came with my belt/disk sander. It’s a Craftsman and it is an older model so I don’t know if parts are even available for it any longer.
Regards,
Bob
@@RJBWoodTurner Thanks
@@RJBWoodTurner Found one similar at Turner Warhouse. Web site is www.turnerswarehouse.com/products/pen-blank-squaring-jig
@@Shopsmirhman oh, I’m sorry, I thought you were referring to the table.
If you look as the video description, I have all the tools I used listed with links.
The one you showed is the smaller one for small disk sanders, they sell a larger one, that’s the one I have, for larger sanders.
Regards,
Bob
@@RJBWoodTurner Thanks!!! Not seeing a description in TH-cam.
I mark the inside of the tube that is loose so I know which to remove
Good idea.
Hi 👋 👋 👋 👋 👋 Bob I'm wondering if you would of been better of using Epoxy on this blank because its a little easier to clean up off your fingers and give you a little more time to get everything even. This is just a thought only. But now I need to get back to your video thanks Ray
Good points, this is an old video and I primarily use epoxy today. Just didn’t have it in the shop back then.
Regards,
Bob
@@RJBWoodTurner yea I thought so but will educate others that are trying to do similar set up. As I'm concerned your the best in what ever you do in pen 🖊 turning. Keep up the good work thanks Ray 😊 and yes your educating. Me as well thank you so much
@@raystevens687 Thank you Ray.
Regards,
Bob
Is that a 10 inch drill press?
It’s a floor model drill press and I believe it has 4” of movement. I have to raise the blank onto the bit to complete longer blanks. The bit I was using was a little over 5” long.
How does the ink refill get changed
+Wayne Reinke Grab the nib and pull it out.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks for the quick answer.
Is good to live on donations !
It’s impossible with the small size of my channel.
Regards,
Bob
16:25 I don't do this for my modified slime lines. I've found there is plenty of extra clearance behind the transmission.
+Cliff Hartle Hello Cliff,
The clearance isn't my issue, my issue is the trans seats to deep in the back tube and becomes difficult to remove. The extra distance, the trim ring would normally take up, accommodates for that and allows easy removal for ink replacement.
Regards,
Bob
I really don't think that's an issue. The slim line transmission grabs the tube by those 2 little "crimps". I don't have a slim line at my desk at work but I think you will find that it's the same amount amount of force removing the top with and without the trim ring.
I even made a modified slim line where I shortened the top tube to make the pen shorter because I was making a capped modified slim line.
+Cliff Hartle Thanks for the info Cliff,
When I get home tonight, I'll do a little test. I never thought about it that way but your probably right. I know your right about the crimps doing the griping.
Regards,
Bob
Sounds like you have quite a bit of experience, Cliff. I checked your channel but I did not find any turning or wood working videos? Maybe you should consider starting your own channel. I am sure we could all benefit from your experience.
Tenspeed TheBikeHanger not really a video kind of guy. also I make very few pens. I make one type and then move on.
How can I send you a pic of some blanks I made?
+BRUCE MCCARTHY rjbwoodturner@ufoww.com. Looking forward to seeing the pics.
Regards,
Bob
My OCD would not have let me finish that pen because of the flaw from the saw blade. It turned out good, but that would have bugged the hell out of me.
Been looking for a flat cut blade. Dado sets have them.
Do you own stock in Stickfast glue? Are you THAT impatient? :)
Most of the time that you use CA I would use 5 min epoxy.
As I type this I'm just at 7:30 so yea.
Oh and you you have lots of courage.
+Cliff Hartle LOL,
If I were making this pen to sell I would go with epoxy. This was my first try and I was prototyping so I really like C/A because of the speed of adhesion.
Regards,
Bob
+Cliff Hartle Thank you,
Regards,
Bob
I've had to lengthen bits myself ... but you have a lot of room between the deck and the bit. Can you not raise your table?
Yes,
I have a floor standing Drill press do I can move the table a great distance.
Regards,
Bob
Did I see that the tool rest was UNDER the piano blank?
Ronny Wayne
+Ronald Wayne It was probably an illusion because of the angle of the camera.
Regards,
Bob
I'm looking for reasons NOT to get into pen turning. You are not helping :)
I've mainly done bowls which results in lots of scraps, some of which are nicely figured. However basic pen turning did not appeal. Absolutely no disrespect to those that do but the basic "plain" slimline did not present a challenge. Then I found your TH-cam channel and was taken aback by all the brick, herringbone and now piano blanks that you have created. So ... challenge accepted :D Many thanks for sharing and expanding my view of what is possible.
+Phil Cooke LOL,
That's the best comment I've ever gotten.
Regards,
Bob
+Phil Cooke Thank you Phil,
I hope once you make the jump to turning a pen every now and then that you find yourself enjoying it.
Regards,
Bob