Herringbone Blank using Zac Higgins Alumilite strips
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- Опубліковано 29 сер 2024
- This video is a collaboration with Zac Higgins.
After turning a few of Zac's blanks, I called him and asked if he could make some 1/16" strips so that I could try a Wood / Alumilite pen blank.
What he delivered was amazing! I think the pen is beautiful!
Be sure to visit Zac and check out his collaboration video and while your there, be sure to subscribe and check out some of his other great videos.
Zac's Video: • Resin Cast Alumilite R...
My E-Mail rjbwoodturner@yahoo.com
Regards,
Bob
That is AWESOME!!!...I thought it as a pine cone at first...I'm obsessed with pine cone turnings!!!
Thank you. Pine cones are cool.
Regards,
Bob
That's a great looking pen, Bob!
+Wood 'n' Stuff w/ Steve French Thank you Steve,
I had a blast working with Zac on this one.
Regards,
Bob
A collaboration between some of my favorite craftsmen on youtube-what a blast! These segmented pens always look amazing.
+Kayley McPhee Thank you Kayley,
This was a blast of a colab. Zac is a great guy and I hope we have an opportunity to work together again.
Regards,
Bob
I am glad you showed us Zac's channel, he's a great teacher on casting.
+WigWagWorkshop Thank you,
Zac is amazing with casting and he's a great guy.
Regards,
Bob
I had a blast working on this project with you Bob! I really appreciate you asking me to help out with this project!! The blank turned out so awesome!! Great work and great idea. You did a fabulous job showing how you made the blank, you have a great process and jig setup for getting all the parts ready.
+Zac Higgins Thank you Zac,
I thoroughly enjoyed doing this collaboration with you and hope to one day do another.
Regards,
Bob
I've been turning for several years and I always enjoy your videos. Thank you for making them and giving me ideas and educating me on technics. The pen turned out great
+Kathy Waldron Thank you Kathy,
I'm glad you find ideas buried in my videos. I enjoy making them and Sharing / Learning with all the other turners out there.
Regards,
Bob
Great idea of how to recover the blank! I have a couple I kept and didn't know what to do. Now I do! Thank you.
Awesome, I’m glad this video was helpful.
Regards,
Bob
Very nice work Bob I didn't even click on the video and my jaw dropped
+Ryan Johnson Thank you Ryan,
This wasn't as hard to make as I thought it would be. Just time consuming.
Regards,
Bob
Again Bob another fantastic pen and some clever gluing up. Thank you
+john horsfall Thank you John,
I had a great time with this blank.
Regards,
Bob
stunning looking pen. One of the best things i like about your videos is that you are not afraid to show mistakes that can pop up along the way and how to go about fixing them. I personally learn so much by seeing this. Thanks again as always for the great quality video
+Stephen Mcdowell Thank you Stephen,
I show the mistakes because I make so many of them. Lol. Thank you for your comment, I do appreciate it as well as the feedback about fixes. Knowing what other turners like to see helps me make better videos.
Regards,
Bob
Great looking pen Bob! Thanks for sharing the problem solving too. Sometimes things just flow, and sometimes the project is a moving target. Well done to you and Zac - I enjoyed both videos very much!
+Tim Thank you Tim,
This was a fun collaboration for mess I admire Zac's work. The materials he uses are top notch.
Regards,
Bob
Nice save. It did actually come out better!
+Xyienced Thank you very much.
Regards,
Bob
Wow Rob! You get more amazing every week. Thanks for what you do and for sharing it with us, warts and all!
+Steve Brown Thank you Steve,
I'll do my best to keep it interesting.
Regards,
Bob
Beautiful pen Bob. That is a really cool idea.
+Make Crazydays Thank you,
I had a blast making it. The blank looks really complicated but it's actually pretty simple, just time consuming.
Regards,
Bob
So what do you use to keep your fingers from feeling like they have CA glue calluses? I always toss on a pair of nitrile gloves.
+Make Crazydays I actually meant to wear gloves for this one, I bought a new box and everything. I just got excited and started building the blank and forgot the gloves.
Regards,
Bob
You've got patients Bob . The pen came out great . Nice affect , great job. Have a good one.
+glen mckelvey Thank you Glen,
You must have great patience too if you watched that entire video, it was a long one.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks for another innovative design ! Always fun and educational.
+John Shaw Thank you John,
I just hope I can keep coming up with them.
Regards,
Bob
Another beautiful pen, and a fun video at the beginning. You have some great ideas Bob, thanks for another useful video. Keep 'em coming!
+Cigar Smoka Thank you for such a kind comment, I do appreciate it.
Regards,
Bob
This guy is an artist.
Thanks for your excellent vids.
+thebudkellyfiles Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Very nice pen that Bob,came out real nice
+MrSkooty1968 Thank you Scott,
I had a blast making this one.
Regards,
Bob
very nice!! Zac has me hooked on Alumilite. great Idea
+lionel wainford Hello Lionel?
I'm liking the Alumilite too. It turns great.
Regards,
Bob
Beautiful pen. I always look forward to your videos.
+Scott L Thank you Scott,
I have another interesting idea/pen ready for this Sunday night. I hope I can continue to come up with new ideas.
Regards,
Bob
Great idea!.......Cheers, Bill
+William DeVerna Thank you William.
Regards,
Bob
Love your videos Bob! I have a couple suggestions. I have build large RC airplanes for 29 years and one of the main things I see people do is use the accelerator too often and too soon. ALWAYS give the thin CA at least 10 minutes to soak in the fibers before hitting it with the accelerator. I have seen many planes crash because the CA did not soak into the fibers. It will also keep the fibers from splintering out around the tube. Also, I would sand each piece a little on a flat surface to help get the tightest bond possible. It will eliminate almost all of the gaps.
I am going to try this pen blank for sure!
+Glenn Hitt Thank you Glenn,
I never really thought about it but what your saying about letting the C/A soak in really make sense. I'll give it a try and see how it works out. Thank you for telling me.
Regards,
Bob
Great video as usual , Bob. Loved the idea and great collaboration with Zac.
+joe little Thank you Joe,
I really enjoyed working with Zac.
Regards,
Bob
Beautiful pen. I would have loved to see it glow in the dark!
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Another great idea. Loved the herringbone approach. I'll send a photo when I try this. I also appreciated the way you saved he ends and redid them after chipping. Turning a problem into something better. Cheers.
+david croft Thank you David,
I really hate losing a blank I worked so hard to create. Please do send a photo, I love seeing what other turners are making.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks for sharing the video with us, keep up the good work Bob!!
+Kwstas Antwniou You are welcome,
I thank you for watching.
Regards,
Bob
Excellent idea Bob. I look forward to seeing more.
+Alex Pettigrew Thank you Alex,
This was a fun pattern to make. It looks complicated but it's really easy, just a bit time consuming.
Regards,
Bob
Awesome pen!
+Making SawDust Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
LOVE it!
Thank you Bill.
Regards,
Bob
Great looking pen, off to watch zacs video now 👍
+Rob Evans Thank you Rob,
I really liked Zac's video. It was short, sweet, and to the point.
Regards,
Bob
Great idea on the end caps. Ill use it on future projects for more eye candy, Thanks.Mike
+s66fastback Thank you Mike,
I like it when a fix adds unexpected character.
Regards,
Bob
Beautiful Bob.....good save and a great video.
Take care
Mike
+Mike Waldt Thank you Mike.
Regards,
Bob
Gorgeous Bob I love that pattern. you both had a great collab.
+Black Widow Woodworks Thank you Cory,
It was a blast and I'd work with Zac again any time.
Regards,
Bob
Another great video. Beautiful pen! Plus, I love how you showed how you saved it. I will definitely employ a similar technique when and end does not work out for me.
+John Herman Thank you John,
I hate to lose a blank after I put so much time I to it.
Regards,
Bob
Great looking Pen. I've been follow Zac for a while now and really enjoy his projects. I actually just had a similar issue with chipping out the end of a blank, that's a great solution thanks for sharing.
+Kaged Creations Thank you,
This was one of those fix it on the fly moments. I was really nervous it wouldn't work.
Regards,
Bob
It came out great nice save on it to.
+Robert Evans Thank you Robert.
Regards,
Bob
Super cool pen my man. Great video, nice to incorporate Zac Higgins in your video. Again, super job.
+Tarry Frey Thank you Tarry,
I loved working with Zac and I hope to have a change to do it again soon.
Regards,
Bob
un gran trabajo y una gran creación.
+Antonio Merichal Cuesta Thank you Antonio.
Regards,
Bob
Another work of art!
Thank you Tony.
Regards,
Bob
Very nice pen Bob. Thumbs up.
+OG Timbercraft Thank you,
Regards,
Bob
Your patience is larger than mine. That pen is absolutely amazingly wonderful!!
One day i will start turning pens too. Just can afford to get the necessary tools yet.
+Willem Kossen Thank you Willem,
When you do start turning pens, I will be happy to help you any way I can.
Regards,
Bob
That's awesome! I thought it was kind of funny, because I tried my first segmented pen today. While gluing I noticed this video in my feed. Great looking pen Bob!
+Penrod Garage Thank you,
This was a fun blank to make. I really needed Zac's Alumilite to make this happen.
Regards,
Bob
very clever idea, I actually just subscribed to Zac a couple days ago.
+Matthew Harper Thank you Matthew,
I'm m glad you subscribe to him, he does some really cool stuff. I'm liking the Dunk it series. Zac is a good guy with a ton of knowledge on casting.
Regards,
Bob
VERY NICE Bob! Not sure I wouldn't go bonkers during that glue up.
And never once did those fingers get CA'd together. :-) JimE
+Jim E Thank you Jim,
I didn't glue them together but I did get some of the glue bottle label stuck to one of my fingers. I'll wear gloves next time.
Regards,
Bob
+RJBWoodTurner Don't get me wrong Bob. I wasn't being critical. That's not my job. I was just making light of the subject. I guess it went wrong. Sorry. Every time I try that i'm looking for the acetone. JimE
+Jim E No Sir Jim,
I'm just an explainer. You did not offend me in any way. I loved your comment and truly appreciate you watching my videos and commenting. That's the best part of doing this. Heck, it would take a lot more than that to get me going.
Regards,
Bob
+RJBWoodTurner Thanks Bob. Comments always worry me because print has no real emotion. JimE
+Jim E No problem Jim,
I'm pretty easy going.
Regards,
Bib
Cool idea. About half way through the glue-up, I was wondering if you would have enough. LOL. Personally, I would have worn nitrile gloves, but oh well. That's what debonder is for.
+AnkleBiter Woodworks Thank you,
I actually meant to wear gloves, I just got started a bit to quickly and didn't want to stop. It wasn't to bad, I did get a little of the glue bottle label stuck to my fingers.
I used every piece I cut. At the very end, I had a broken piece to line things up. It was close wether the blank was going to be long enough, I barely made it.
Regards,
Bob
Hi Bob, Great job on the pen mate, very nice, Take care, Harry
+The Little Garden Shed Workshop Thank you Harry,
I had a great time making it and working with Zac.
Regards,
Bob
That pen is amazing, and wow you have patience to glue that up. It gave me a great idea, but I think I will cheat. I will let you know if I am successful with my crazy idea, I'll send you a blank or two.
+Turning Round That sounds awesome!
I'm curious to see what your idea is.
Regards,
Bob
Sa-weet pen Bob, going to subscribe to Zac's channel too. Thanks for sharing this video. Take care
+David Clauson Thank you David,
Zac makes some really cool blanks, you'll like his channel.
Regards,
Bob
Great work as always Bob.
+J.D. Ransom Thank you J.D.
Regards,
Bob.
Once again Excellent Job.
Gonna do it soon.
+Spencer Brown Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
NIce Bob - those are always fun.
+Lynn Lacey Thank you Lynn,
This was my first time using Mixed Mediums on one so there were some challenges. I have a better idea of how do make this design when I attempt it again.
Regards,
Bob
Totally gorgeous pen!! The video interplay between you two cracked me up!! What a couple of clowns! :) It was really fun to watch the whole process, and I especially enjoyed the problem-solving. Anyone can turn a pen when there are no issues associated. But what about when there are problems? That's the tricky part. I love your good ideas for solutions, and it's really fun to watch your process. This is a great way to save a pen with an end blowout! I did that once and ended up just sanding the end down, but I considered doing what you did. Nice to see it works so nicely. The result is quite slick. "Yeah, I planned it all along!!" :D Ooooh, I had to stop the video to take a screeny of the slick pen jig for the sander. That would be nice to have! Thank you for the show, it turned out very nicely! :)
ONE question: I noticed after assembly that the pattern didn't' line up perfectly when the two were screwed together or when the bottom was screwed into the top for writing. Are you able to adjust this placement or did you need to plan that when you assembled the kit? I remember having a kit where things didn't quite line up properly because I didn't realize I couldn't adjust after the pen was assembled. Same problem here? Hopefully you were able to adjust so the sweetest part of the pattern was most exposed and lined up perfectly with the other side! :)
+Janet Brien yes, the cap is pressure fit so all I had to do was remove and realign it.
Regards,
Bob
Oh perfect!! :) It only takes messing that up once and you never make that mistake again, so I figured you were able to move it. Hooray! :)
That turned out well. I hope you are going to show us what you do with the Glow-In-The-Dark ribbons... please.
Best Wishes, Brendan.
+baconsoda Brendon,
I tried paring the glow in the dark with Osage Orange since it glows under black light. The front blank exploded so I turned it off and re-did it in the red and cherry. I'll post a photo to Facebook tonight of the top half. It's not finished but it looks pretty good.
Regards,
Bob
I really like the pattern ! very nice pen.
+The ShavingWood Workshop Thank you,
It took a bit to figure it out but I was pleased with the result.
Regards,
Bob
Nice pen Bob! Gave me some ideas! Thanks!
+donny carter Thank you Donny,
I appreciate the comment and I'm glad my video gave you some ideas.
Regards,
Bob
I looks very nice Bob. My experience lately with laminates has been they have broken apart when drilling or turning. I tried your aluminum can and wood and when drilling the hole it broke on the glue joint. I used ca glue and reguled it and will try again. Thanks for all of your tips. Jerry Lipchik
+Gerald Lipchik Thank you Jerry,
C/A is always iffy. Epoxy is a much better choice but it takes to long to dry.
Regards,
Vov
RJBWOODTURNER Where do you get your pen kits from? They look to be of great quality
+FlyingRC I get them from Penn State, www.pennstateind.com. Request a catalog, it's free and very easy to browse and use.
Regards,
Bob
Excellent...!
Cheers...
+Adam Quincey Thank you Adam.
Regards,
Bob
Awesome pen Bob
+Moy perez woodshop Thank you very much.
Regards,
Bob
Also Posted this on Zac's Page
Is Aluminite a thermoplastic once mixed and set?
Thinking you could make an interesting mid-line segmented pen like the aluminum can segmented pen but with a Aluminite.
Use the cut blank as a form. So make a sandwich of pen blank, aluminite and then pen blank. Put everything in an oven, weight it down so as the alumite softened it would slowly form to the blank.
+Cliff Hartle Very cool idea.
I think Alumilite, once set, is done. The reason I say that is because it uses a catalyst to form an exothermic reaction and set the material. I am however going to follow Zac's answer on this one because he is the expert.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner I just know PR will soften with a little heat, even just heat from polishing.
Oh and I'm also going to assume you would have to use a toaster oven outside.
+RJBWoodTurner or just cut your blank put it in a mold that would hold the 2 pieces apart, pour your alumite put it in the pressure pot.
Lather rinse repeat. :)
+Cliff Hartle Cliff,
I love this idea, maybe Zac will be up for another collaboration to test it out. I'm anxious to see how he weighs I on this. Great question and excellent idea.
Regards,
Bob
Awesome pen
+Toby Clayton Thank you Toby.
Regards,
Bob
Bob you have helped me in many of your videos ... Being a retired EE. Let me know what voltage and phasing and type of lathe I can help you install a rev'ing switch. or bring you the stuff and do it as we have coffee and discuss our hobby. I live in southern IL.
+kb9beh Thank you,
I have a Harbor Freight 10" X 18" Wood Lathe.
Model No. 65345
Voltage 110v
60 Hz Phase 1
Regards,
Bob
+kb9beh my Email address is RJBWoodturner@ufoww.com. That will make it easier to communicate.
Regards,
Bob
Sorry, what kit was that Bob? Came out great in the end.
Mark
+IBDaddyO Hello Mark,
That was the Classic Elite from Penn State.
Great idea. new sub from me! I love the colab!
+Wood By Wright Thank you,
Zac and I had a great time making this colab. Thank you for watching and subscribing.
Regards,
Bob
What's that kit? I like it! As a side note, I have found that if I thread the assembled cap onto the body coupler and press that on to the body as an assembly, it makes it easy to line up the pattern when the pen is closed (or if the cap is open and posted, if that's the way you cut them). Great video!
+Matt Iannacci Hello Matt,
The kit is the Classic Elite from Penn State.
Thank for another great tip, I will try this one out too.
Regards,
Bob
Bob, question: Do you think using tight bond and a press would have provided less gaps?
Mark
+IBDaddyO The press would probably reduce gaps. If I had time, I'd probably use epoxy, it would fill and hold better with the wood and plastic mix.
Regards,
Bob
Have you thought about doing the same design but putting something like ebony or a thin piece of black on each side of the red, I think it would really pop?
+Brian Lucas That would look nice.
Regards,
Bob
sweet
Thank you Joe.
Regards,
Bob
Good morning Bob. What pen kit did you use for this pen? Thanks very much.
+John New Hello John,
I believe it's called the Classic Elite from Penn State.
Regards,
Bob
👍
Thank you.
If the question has been asked I apologize but there are 142 already and I didn't want to sort through all of them. Which pen kit is that?
+TCT Knives (Tactical Combat Tools) No
Problem,
The kit is the Classic Elite from
Penn State, it is the gold and gunmetal version.
Regards,
Bob
Bob, I have just purchased a small lathe, and a pen turning kit from Rockler. I am wondering, when you get into something that takes quite a bit of time like this project, can you sell these pens for enough to make it worth your while, or is a project like this just for yourself, or a gift?
+Howard Springsteen Hello Howard,
Some of the big name pen guys get hundreds, even thousands of dollars for special blanks like this one. I'm not that big so most of mine are gifts or get sold at a loss when you add up the time involved. I do this primarily for fun so I don't mind.
Regards,
Bob
Hi Bob,
Did you sand the pieces to get rid of the saw marks, or are they not a problem
+Dave White Hello Dave,
My blade was a fine tooth so the marks weren't bad and no problem. I would sand if you have substantial marks.
Have you seen the video I linked to in the radio button follow up. I recommend watching it before doing a herringbone. He made a multi sided herringbone but his process would apply to one like I did. That video has changed my idea of how to make the blank. I'll have an updated video soon.
Regards,
Bob
I will check out the link Thanks for the info
Hey Bob, nice job as usual. I have 3 different pen kits at home and a very dear friend turned me some bushings. I have never turned a pen and I'm nervous to do so, for several reasons. The first being that my pillar drill is cheap and not brilliant, the second is I'm worried how do I finish it. Do I sand, then C.A, then micro mesh then polish? There's so much to know and so many different types of pens. I have a 7mm mandrel, will all the pens fit that with certain bushings or do I have to buy different mandrel??? Sorry to throw so many questions at you, it is just that I desperately want to make some for some dear people and I want to get them as nice as possible. Cheers, Sean
Hello Sean, I say go for it with a scrap piece of wood. You can buy, very cheaply, replacement tubes. Turn the pen, sand it then apply a C/A finish. Once the C/A dries you can use the Micro Mesh to polish it to a brilliant shine. The 7mm mandrel is all you need. Each pen requires a set of bushings but they are all made to slide onto a standard mandrel. Practicing with a scrap will let you see just how everything works and build your confidence. Once you make one or two pens you'll see just how easy it is and then you can move on to the nicer wood and kits.Regards,Bob
Bob, your a legend, I very much appreciate your time and patience! Keep it up. I will give a pen a go today, and I'll take a pic, if that's o.k? Cheers Sean
+Monstrous Procrastinator Thank
You Sean,
That would be great!
Regards,
Bob
Where do you buy all of the metal parts for the pen? Really nice work by the way!
+Locke Lamora I get everything from Penn State Industries. www.pennstateind.com
Absolutely a great video! I have been wanting to try this for awhile just wasn't sure how to do it. Beautiful pen what kit did you use?
+Chance Harden Thank you Chance,
This blank has been on my list for a while too. I just want sure what to use for the thin strips. Then I saw Zac using the X-Carve to make molds for shallow pours and the rest just fell into place.
Regards,
Bob
Very nice I will probably be contacting him soon about some if he will sell any.
+Chance Harden I haven't asked him if he's planning to sell it or not but I hope he does.
Love the design and your speaking style, but please better framing for the assembly next time.
That’s an older video,
I’m working on improving. Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Does Robert Montgomery have a youtube channel showing how he makes stuff like the jig?
Unfortunately he does not. I wish be did.
What do you ever do with the glow in the dark stuff?
+Barry Fields I used it all up attempting this project. Really hard to turn. May talk with Zac about making some more and giving this another shot.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner I watched your follow up video after I posted that sorry
+Barry Fields No problem,
I had forgotten I did a follow up telling the story, LOL.
Regards,
Bob
Anyone know which kit was used in this video?
That is the Classic Elite from www.pennstateind.com.
Regards,
Bob
awful
+Gary Host Gary thank you for your comment,
This was my first attempt at a herringbone pen blank. I know it was far from excellent but I'd like to know what you found awful.
Was it:
The making of the blank?
The finished pen?
The presentation?
Something else?
My overall goal is to inspire people to try new things, we sometimes learn more from failure than success. I'm always looking to improve my skills and would appreciate hearing more about what you didn't like.
Regards,
Bob Blanford
RJBWoodTurner The important thing is that you're happy, and one can only improve. Even Castell has their flaws, and I can be bothered by them aswell. Even though I love them.