My first Segmented Pen and BLO/CA Finish

[Tim Malyszko]

With the day off, my wife at work and no school this week, I was feeling adventurous in the shop. After seeing that post on CA/BLO finishing videos, I wanted to give it a try. I also have wanted to give segmented pen turning a try, so I killed 2 birds with 1 stone today.

The pen is made from walnut and maple scrap, cut into 1/4" segments. For my first attempt (truthfully 2nd attempt because the first one I tried today blew out) I'm happy with the way this one turned out, but the next one I try will use 1/8" segments and I will do a better job lining up the segments.

I think I may have found my new favorite finish in the BLO/CA. Thanks to all that turned me on to it.

This was a very fun project and I look forward to making additional segmented pens. I never thought I would use so many tools just to make a single pen.

[Greg Cuetara]

Very nice. Looks good. I have the push to try the blo / CA finish also. How hard was it to learn? If you screw it up can you easily fix any trouble areas?

Thanks and keep up the good work.
Greg

[Tim Malyszko]

Very nice. Looks good. I have the push to try the blo / CA finish also. How hard was it to learn? If you screw it up can you easily fix any trouble areas?

Thanks and keep up the good work.
Greg

Here is the video of the method I used:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBTbC...eature=related

It was pretty easy and fortunately I did not screw up the finish, so I cannot answer your second question.

I plan on trying a few other application methods on future pens.

[Bernie Weishapl]

Tim great looking pen. Looks like you got the finish down good.

[Tom Sherman]

Nice job Tim, good looking pen.

[Ben Gastfriend]

Wow! Those segments are really cool. Do you think it would look better on a bigger/thicker pen?

[robert hainstock]

Your pen looks great. I just tried the finish on a pen I'll be posting soon. I just knew it had to be harder than it looked, ---not!
Bob

[Shane Whitlock]

Great looking pen Tim ... After ya get the CA/BLO mastered try it without the blo, I like it even better.

[Gary Herrmann]

Nice job, Tim. I've been meaning to try one of those myself.

I don't think I've done anything other than ca/blo in over a year. It holds up well over time too - so far anyway.

[Chris Stolicky]

Nice job.

I have yet to attempt a segmented pen, but I have been using the blo/ca method for a while now. It really works well. Some complain that it detracts from the natural look of the pen; but I generally like pens to have some shine to them.

I couldn't get video link to work so I do not know which "method" you were referring to. However, the way I tend to do it is to simply apply a small amount of blo to the pen first and cook it in a little. I find that it really brings out the grain. Be careful not to get it too hot that you create a crack (I find that this can be material-dependent). I then apply some thin ca using a folded up paper towel sliding back and forth to cure it quickly and create a smooth finish.

I tried the batting that some others recommend but could never get a smooth finish with it. Oh, I also make sure I have something over my finger because it is no fun gluing your finger to the pen. I actually cut the fingers off of nitrile gloves and just use it on the finger I hold the paper towel with.

[Scott Lux]

Tim,

Nice Pen!! Now I want to try something segmented.

Some complain that it detracts from the natural look of the pen; but I generally like pens to have some shine to them.

Isn't that the age-old turner's dilema? Lightly sanded feels better but shine looks better.

[John Terefenko]

Tim

I do not see the video. Do you have a better link than that.????

[Greg Deemer]

Great pen!!! I tried the blo/ca finish last night. I thought it brought the grains out nicely. Also, I think this is the link for the blo/ca finish:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBTbCOL4npg
To apply the ca I use the tiny plastic baggies the nibs come in. I have tons of them and I don't get ca all over me.

[Greg Cuetara]

When you do the blo / ca finish do you always buff it out with EEE or something else? I tried my first blo / ca finish last night and it came out pretty good but it was not very shiny at all... I only sanded up to 400 so maybe i need to go further?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Greg