More Pens ***PIC***

[Ken Salisbury]

Managed some more shop time this afternoon. Managed to make 10 Flat Top American style pens in 2½ hours (turn, finish & assemble). My arithmetic says that is one every 15 minutes. I guess I could have done better but I took a few smoke breaks and 1 Bud Light break.
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"IS THIS A GREAT COUNTRY OR WHAT"
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Cocobola, Tulipwood, Walnut, Purpleheart, Bloodwood, Padauk, Phillipine Ebony, Rosewood(not necessarily in that order)

[Bob Oswin]

Nice job(s) Ken:
At 4 an hour a guy could about break even in this woodworking game.
Well at least tailor mades and imported suds!

Bob;) ;)

[Ron Jones near Indy]

Can you do these when asleep?;)

[Bob Lasley]

machines can't run on Bud Light??

Beautiful as always.

Bob

[Brad Hammond]

man........you like those americana styles dont ya.

[Ken Salisbury]

Originally posted by Brad H
man........you like those americana styles dont ya. Yes, I do like the FT American style. It is actually my best seller. Since I also posted a pic of a batch of FT Rollerballs a day earlier you would think that is all I make but I do make about 12 different styles. I always make my pens in batches of at least 10 at a time. There is no sense in setting up to cut, drill, and turn 1 at a time. I usually prep my blanks 20 or 30 at a time.

[Bart Leetch]

Ken = efficiency in action when making beauty to be perceived.

[Kurt Krauter in Indy]

Do you ever use stabilized blanks?? I have been using the ones with the colors added to the Buckeye Burls, Spalted Maples, etc...
and....can you justify a higher selling price for finished pens using the stabilized?

What's been your experience?
Kurt

[Ken Salisbury]

Originally posted by KurtK in Indy
Do you ever use stabilized blanks?? I have been using the ones with the colors added to the Buckeye Burls, Spalted Maples, etc...
and....can you justify a higher selling price for finished pens using the stabilized?

What's been your experience?
Kurt

Yes I have made a few and yes you can add to the price of using stablized blanks.

[Brad Hammond]

i guess you've got those amercana's down. i always have problems with the twist mechanisms. they're sticky.
cya
brad

[Ken Salisbury]

Originally posted by Brad H
i guess you've got those amercana's down. i always have problems with the twist mechanisms. they're sticky.
cya
brad
Both the Flat Top American and the Round Top Euro pens have the same twist mechanism that has a critical function. The dimension of wooden portion of the top blank is very critical. It must be 1 13/16" long (plus 0, minius 1/16"). If it is just a hair over 1 13/16" long the mechanism either will not work or be very sticky.

Here is a drawing I posted on The Pond some time back when Dennis Peacock was having problems with those kits.
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[Brad Hammond]

NM

[Rik Rickerson]

Ken,

Your pens are beautiful! Do they accept Cross refills?

Rik

[Ken Salisbury]

Originally posted by Rik Rickerson
Ken,

Your pens are beautiful! Do they accept Cross refills?

Rik
Those particular pens shown use Parker Refills. I have some models that use Cross refills.
You can see which styles use which types of refills by visiting my web site
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www.klsal.com (http://www.klsal.com)
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[Ken Salisbury]

I made an error in the URL to my web site in the above post --- sorry about that - I edited it and it works now.

[Stan Thigpen]

Ken - nice website. Do you turn pencils also? Just wondering, as I didn't see any listed.

[Ken Salisbury]

Originally posted by Stan Thigpen
Ken - nice website. Do you turn pencils also? Just wondering, as I didn't see any listed.
Yes I do make pencils. Mainly Slimline and Comfort Grip. I haven't added them to my web store yet, but I will soon. I always have pen/pencil sets at the craft show. I will say however, the pencils don't sell that well.
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[Bill MacLachlan]

Ken;
Am new to the pen turning and just wondering how you finish yours? What do you use? To make 1 every 15 minutes you must a great system down!!
Thanks, Bill

[Ken Salisbury]

Originally posted by Bill MacLachlan
Ken;
Am new to the pen turning and just wondering how you finish yours? What do you use? To make 1 every 15 minutes you must a great system down!!
Thanks, Bill
Bill,
I use Hut's Crystal Coat followed by Huts Wax Stick. As far as 15 minutes per goes - it's just that I have made so many I can almost do it blindfolded.
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[Bill MacLachlan]

Thanks, Ken. They all look great.