Ken Fitzgerald
08-31-2008, 12:13 PM
Ever since the idiots here threw me into the Vortex, I've been finding out what expensive is......reminded of what being broke is like. Now this is a ...oops can't say that....this a family friendly site.....Take my word on it. We have been empty nested for well over 10 years now and prior to that Jet VS Mini showing up on my carport, I always had $100 in my pocket. The weight of 5 20's or 2 50's in my billfold has not been a problem the past 2 1/2 years. Thus, I force myself to be a little selective about buying new tools.....trying new techniques especially if there is more expenditures involved....Folks...it seems like I"m constantly broke since the lathe showed up.....but I smile a whole lot more too! And that is worth the price!:D
I've seen photos of pens being finished with CA. In fact, I have a couple of pen kits and blanks sitting in my shop that were begging for me to learn that technique. Well, I was down to two FPP pen kit blanks glued up yesterday and thought "it's time to learn". Joel Sauter demonstrated the technique for Brian Brown, his wife and I a couple of weeks ago. I immediately ordered some thin and thick CA and some accelerator. I had a couple of articles on how to do it. I reread the articles and read some more online. I had traded several emails with Bernie Weishapl concerning CA finishing. And yet....I was still apprehesive about trying it. Yesterday, I put my reading to practice. I was shocked how well it went. The LOML was just astounded by the results. The main article I used for a reference was one by Russ Fairfield where he doesn't use wet sanding......just dry sanding and Beal buffing. To me it made sense as I've turned some acrylics and have wet sanded the b/s and yet it was the Beal buffing that gave it the glass-like finish.
After finishing the 1st one....I had to CA finish the 2nd one.....worked well again. I compared them to one that was wet sanded.....no noticeable difference to my eye.
The point of this thread..As long as it's safe....don't be afraid to try new techniques.....and don't be afraid to experiment with a proven method...to try to improve upon it....Find a method that works for you and stick with it. If for some reason you find you are no longer satisfied with it, don't be afraid to try something new even if it causes you to dip a little deeper into you wallet!
Today....I cut, drill and glue up those special blanks and pen tubes that have been waiting for me to improve upon my finishing techniques!
I've seen photos of pens being finished with CA. In fact, I have a couple of pen kits and blanks sitting in my shop that were begging for me to learn that technique. Well, I was down to two FPP pen kit blanks glued up yesterday and thought "it's time to learn". Joel Sauter demonstrated the technique for Brian Brown, his wife and I a couple of weeks ago. I immediately ordered some thin and thick CA and some accelerator. I had a couple of articles on how to do it. I reread the articles and read some more online. I had traded several emails with Bernie Weishapl concerning CA finishing. And yet....I was still apprehesive about trying it. Yesterday, I put my reading to practice. I was shocked how well it went. The LOML was just astounded by the results. The main article I used for a reference was one by Russ Fairfield where he doesn't use wet sanding......just dry sanding and Beal buffing. To me it made sense as I've turned some acrylics and have wet sanded the b/s and yet it was the Beal buffing that gave it the glass-like finish.
After finishing the 1st one....I had to CA finish the 2nd one.....worked well again. I compared them to one that was wet sanded.....no noticeable difference to my eye.
The point of this thread..As long as it's safe....don't be afraid to try new techniques.....and don't be afraid to experiment with a proven method...to try to improve upon it....Find a method that works for you and stick with it. If for some reason you find you are no longer satisfied with it, don't be afraid to try something new even if it causes you to dip a little deeper into you wallet!
Today....I cut, drill and glue up those special blanks and pen tubes that have been waiting for me to improve upon my finishing techniques!