Barry Stratton
05-27-2006, 3:28 AM
Thought I'd try this new CS USA pen kit. What better wood to use than Stu's!!! Besides, these puppies are BIG - they recommend a 1X6 blanks and Stu's were the only ones on hand that fit that description.
The pen itself was straight forward to turn. The "difficulties came after I glued the tubes and went to use my barrel trimmer to square things up. i'd already planned to use a "blown up" slimline blank and turned it to fit in the 1/2" tube of the panache. The "problem" is the 3/4" barrel trimmer barely clears the brass. When you put them on the mandrel and bushings, there is no overhang of the "slop". I regrouped, broke out the belt sander, held it upside down and gently sanded the blanks to length. I didn't get them perfect, but "close" enough for the first!
Here it is....not sure if I like it yet. Looks like a 50BMG necked down to 30 cal! The wood - I LIKE!!!
39506
39507
The pen itself was straight forward to turn. The "difficulties came after I glued the tubes and went to use my barrel trimmer to square things up. i'd already planned to use a "blown up" slimline blank and turned it to fit in the 1/2" tube of the panache. The "problem" is the 3/4" barrel trimmer barely clears the brass. When you put them on the mandrel and bushings, there is no overhang of the "slop". I regrouped, broke out the belt sander, held it upside down and gently sanded the blanks to length. I didn't get them perfect, but "close" enough for the first!
Here it is....not sure if I like it yet. Looks like a 50BMG necked down to 30 cal! The wood - I LIKE!!!
39506
39507