Corn Cob Ink Pen
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- Опубліковано 12 січ 2015
- I live in the Mid-West and am surrounded by corn fields. I have seen other turners make corn cob pens and wanted to try my luck at turning one. The most challenging part for me was stabilizing the cob without spending a ton of cash. This video documents the steps I took to make that first pen. It was a learning process and there are a number of things I will do differently the next time I turn one.
Regards,
Bob
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There is a corncob pipe company in Missouri that is the one and only AMERICAN company these days, (and they've been in business there for many, many decades). The only other competitor is a knock-off company from china. They tumble their cobs down to nearly smooth, then soak them in plaster of Paris for a while. Then clean them up and get them smooth. This gives them a very strong and long lasting surface! You don't smoke pens, I hope, so you should get a really nice, good-looking pen. You can find out all about them here in You-Tube.
I lost track of your site for a long time regrettably, due to various old man conditions... but now I've recovered and found you again.... I'm really enjoying catching up with all your projects. Thanks
Thank you for the information. Living in the mid-west we are surrounded by corn fields so come fall cobs are plentiful.
Regards,
Bob
I have always loved pens, especially fountain pens, and have only recently discovered the artistry of handmade pens. The corn cob demo was brilliant--I had no idea! Thank you for sharing your art.
+karodora Thank you,
I appreciate your comment.
Regards,
Bob
You just reinvented the Missouri Meerschaum!
Thanks Chris.
Regards,
Bob
Just happened to see the corn cob pen that is an amazing idea an they look really great
Thanks for sharing
Thank you Jerry.
Regards,
Bob
Really fascinating watching you go through this process. Thank you for sharing with us 😊Stay safe 🙏
Thank you Glen.
Regards,
Bob
Kept my attention the whole time. Very interesting and great job!
Thank you, I appreciate that.
Regards,
Bob
Wow Bob, that was amazing.....well done for having the courage to try something new
+Val Borchardt Thank you Val.
Regards,
Bob
A very interesting and fun to watch turning Bob, Those have a Great Look, Very Country, Now you need to turn a Corn Cob Pipe to match, Very Nice
Thank you Sterling,
I thought about that but that's a whole different field and I'm afraid I'll get hooked on another hobby. :^)
Regards,
Bob
I like it. Well done. Thanks for taking the time to make and share this with us.
Tom
+carr869 Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Have made a bunch of pens using stabilized cobs and never thought of using wood hardner. Thanks for the idea.
Stabilized is probably much better for turning. Wood hardener is the poor mans method.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks for the video. I can't wait to turn some. It's harvest time, going to get me some cobs!
+Merlin Cochran There harvesting here right now. I need to grab a few before it rains.
Bob
This was an awesome video....I am just staring to get into pen making again I need to really refresh tho...because I have not done it for about 5 years....and I need a refresher course...this was nice to see, thanks
Thank you Vikki.
Regards,
Bob
Another cool idea Bob. Hope the others turn out as good for you. As you have corn fields all around, looks like you may have an endless supply of turning blanks on your doorstep.
Happy turning.....Stevie
Thank you Stevie,
I do have a large supply but they are now wet and muddy. I have a few more left from what I collected this year but you can bet I'll grab a bunch of them next season.
Regards,
Bob
Like the outcome. How about taking some of your exotic cut offs to the disk sander and making multiple colors of sawdust. You could fill the nubs with that dust and create any variety of color schemes. I think a darker wood would look great against the light color cob. Or maybe a stripe patern. Just a thought. Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you Mitchell,
Those are some great ideas.
Regards,
Bob
Bob,
There is a guy in my area that turns pens from the center of extra large pine cones. I've only heard of end results, but it sounds similar to your corn cobs. Pine cones here are like corn cobs there... Abundant.
+Bob Stembridge Never tried that but I'd like to, it sounds interesting.
Regards,
Bob
Looks very good can't wait to try it. I've made several pens from pine combs, worked great. Chuck Hummell, Marianna, Fla.
+Charles Hummell Thank you Chuck,
I enjoyed turning the corn cob. I think it would have worked better if I could have stabilized it but it wasn't bad just using the wood hardener.
Regards,
Bob
Cool looking pen! Corn cob is really distinctive!
Thank you,
It reminds of a peanut shell. I plan to attempt filling some of the kernel divots to add come color.
Regards,
Bob
Being from the Cornhusker state this is a pretty good selling pen. I have use stabilized pen blanks and tried the hardener. I just use thin CA glue. I literally coat the blank hit It w hardener, then drill it slowly. The cobs are very sponge like. CA glue the tubes in. Mount it and start turning w sharp tools, after you get past the "fuzz" of the cob soak it again w thin CA glue building up a a hardened cob while turning it. I've turned lots of cob pens this way and never had a blow out. I probably apply this CA 6 or 7 times. The trick sharp tools light passes. Very nicely done though. I harvest my cob just like did.
Thank you Dave,
And thank you for sharing your process.
Regards,
Bob
J
Ingenious and great looking pens to boot.
Thank you Michael,
I appreciate the comment.
Regards,
Bob
Nice corn cob job Bob. Sorry couldn't resist.
Thanks Ted,
That was a bad pun but truthfully, I probably would have said the same thing.
Regards,
Bob
Very creative. I love them.
Thank you,
They were fun to make and I hope to revisit and make more soon.
Regards,
Bob
Really awesome project Bob, I love how you took us along for the ride in your experiment. It's great using local materials, and I love using somewhat weird materials too. I use the plentiful sagebrush that grows in every nook and cranny in NV in my work, and I'll never run out of it!
Thank you Zac,
I know what you mean about plentiful. I plan to turn many more, my thought is, what do you get the farmer who has everything?
Is love to see a photo of one of your sage brush pens.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner LOL, you get the farmer some more corn!! I just realized that you can't post photos in YT comments. That would have been much easier! I have most of my pens and blanks in my Etsy shop, here's a link to one that has a bunch of the sagebrush pens and blanks in the picture (sorry for having to link to my Etsy shop, would've just posted a pic if I could). I need to make a gallery of just sagebrush stuff! www.etsy.com/listing/209400792/unique-pen-turning-blanks-custom-made?ref=shop_home_active_8
No worries Zac,
I'll be happy to take a look at your Etsy store.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner Do you have an Etsy or online store where you sell your work Bob?
No, I'm mostly a hobby guy. I sell at a craft show or two and the rest is my Facebook page and word of mouth.
Regards,
Bob
Great video, I have done a couple of corn cob pens using cigar pen kit; I will try the slime line next time. I really like the us of the wood hardener also.
Thank you Bill.
Regards,
Bob
You did an incredible job with that corn cob, can't wait for the accents :-) I live in Albuquerque, NM, was originally from ChiTown, so now I will be calling my brother to send me some corn cobs from the midwest, ha, ha, ha
Take very delicate cuts, unless you can stabilize them. This method works pretty well but the cobs are still not as tough as wood.
Regards,
Bob
Wow that looks like a really cool pen Rob, there is nothing like experimental pen to get your brain buzzing. Great video and very well explained. Also I think i will have to get some of that Minwax hardener. many thanks for sharing.
All the best
Tony
Thank you Tony,
I was surprised how well the MinWax hardener worked. I absolutely loved turning these corn cobs my only regret was the length it time it took due to the weather. I was dying to get back out in the shop and work on them but it's been cold. Now I have a ton of ideas for filling the kernel holes.
Regards,
Bob
I have some fresh corn cobs I'm going to try this after I dry them out. Always wanted to try it. Excited to try something new. Thanks
+Loki Bussey Highest lathe speed, tools as sharp as possible, and very light deliberate cuts. You'll do fine.
Bob
+RJBWoodTurner thank you Mr. Bob have a great day.
Cool idea and nice pen. It will be interesting to see what the others will look like with something in the kernals
Thank you Matt,
I can't wait for the temperature to warm up a bit so I can get back out in the shop and make some more.
Regards,
Bob
I watch a lot of these turning videos and people will play music while trying to talk, I can handle your vacuum. great job by the way.
+redwing fan Thank you.
I prefer shop sounds to music.
Regards,
Bob
BTW, many of us think: Shop sounds IS "music"...
+Bob Stembridge it's definitely music to my ears.
Bob
Thanks for the video. I have some stabilized corn I have been stashing for a while. I think I will use them for thicker pens.
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Just about to turn corn cobs,will use your pointers ,thank you.
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Brilliant! Video!!..You're a very brave man to put up a first attempt on youtube..Your skills and results are inspiring..Thank you sir!..(From the U.K.)
+glass house Thank you,
I appreciate you watching and really appreciate your comment.
Regards,
Bob
A pen. Made from corn. Now I've seen everything! lol Wonderful work. :D
Thank you Sarah.
Regards,
Bob
im new to all of this but when i get a bit more experienced i am definately going to try this. thankyou.
Thank you Andrew,
Corn cob does make for an Interesting pen.
Regards,
Bob
Very Cool. Would love to see the slimmer corn cob pen blanks in the future videos.
Thank you Richard,
I will do another as I improve the process and maybe fill the kernel holes.
Regards,
Bob
Saw Dust Maker If you started with smaller cobs you could make a slimmer pen.
Phiyedough What I've found that helps more than anything is a smaller core. Some cobs have a large core and that makes for a thicker more unattractive pen. I like the more delicate cored cobs, they give superior results in my opinion.
Regards,Bob
You are awesome! have been subscribed for awhile. Illinois has lots of cobs to practice on. Growing up, my neighbor hauled truck after truck(semi) to ADM. Thats alot of pens or practice.
+Scott Sherfey Thank you Scott,
I use to live close to the ADM in Mt. Vernon, Indiana.
Regards,
Bob
YES!! Great job! Your choice of using colored cobs right from the get-go added interest. One could (turquoise?) dye epoxy with modelers paint and fill in the holes etc for a cheap knock-off of turquoise. :)) GREAT TIPS for working with corn cobs. THX!
+Rhyannon Lallatin Thank you,
No like your idea of coloring the cob.
Regards,
Bob
This was great, I've always wondered how to turn a corn cob blank 'cause they look so funny & yet intimidating.
Thank you JR,
I thought the same thing but it turned like punky wood. Now that I've turned one, I can see myself turning many more. I hope you one day attempt turning one.
Regards,
Bob
The first time I saw one was about 5 or so years ago & I thought the guy was joking when he said it was a corn cob, but seeing how easy it can be, thanks to this video I am definitely going to be trying one in the future.
That's great! I hope you do try it, once you do, you'll be hooked. It really is as easy as turning a soft wood and the blanks are the right price. :^)
Regards,
Bob
Beautiful! 👍
Thank you Collin.
Regards,
Bob
Made one yesterday. It went pretty well, but had a very small chip out on one end. Turned it kinda fat for a slimline kit, but not a bad turn for my first one like this. Thanks for the inspiration.
+jwestskate1 Thank you for letting me know how it went. My first was fat too, but now I can really thin them down. You will too now that you know what to do.
Regards,
Bob
Awesome Job!
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Great job and beautifully unique pen. I have a piece of cactus that I think would be a neat pen but wasn't sure how to harden it or if I'd even attempt it. After watching this I'm gonna go for it. Thanks for going where few have dared and inspiring the rest of us.
Take care, Dave
Thank you David,
If love to see before and after pictures of the cactus an the pen.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner
I just had shoulder surgery and am out for about a month but when I get back at it I'll give this a try and take pictures along the way.
Take care, Dave
Thank you Dave,
I am looking forward to your results.
Regards,
Bob
Very informative, I never saw that Minwax product but I will look for it and give it a try. The cobs after the hardener sounded just like wood. I would say mission accomplished. Thanks for the video.
You are welcome,
The wood hardener made a huge difference. Plus it's cheap, only $10.00 for the can.
Regards,
Bob
Great video. Thanks for your time.
Thank you Lee,
This was a blast to turn, I can't wait to get back out in the shop and make more.
Regards,
Bob
Thanks RJB looking forward to it, right now doing a restoration on a machete my nephew found in the woods. Cool item to restore. Lots of work too....lol
I think it's great that you take the time to restore an old took to new condition. I wouldn't even know where to start with a project like that.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner I will post a picture when I am finished with it. It is already to glue the new hand made handles on. Then do some finishing on the blade, then a few coats of boiled linseed oil to seal and protect the handle.
That sounds great Steve,
I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Regards,
Bob
RJBWoodTurner Hope you can see these photos of the machete, I restore. It was all rusted and pitted. So it is not in pristine condition. But, I did what I could. Also made a nice shield for it....lol
thank you for showing...really awesome piece
Thank you April.
Regards,
Bob
really innovative a very nice artwork Bob !! greetings from germany ^^
Thank you April,
I appreciate you watching and commenting.
Regards,
Bob
Great instructional video. I've got a rough bowl of "punky" horse chestnut drying after a good soaking of wood hardener - hope it works as good as yours. I saw a video using coffee granules as a filler.
I hope it helps too,
I've had great luck with corn cobs because they soak up the hardener. Wood tends to harden the surface but doesn't soak in to deep.
Regards,
Bob
The pen turned out great Bob, there's no short of corn in Indiana that for sure
Thank you Mike,
I know what you mean, we're surrounded by corn fields here.
Regards,
Bob
Brilliant Bob, that was a great success in my book. Agreed the aesthetics are a little "unusual" for a slimline kit, but you sure proved a point. Wonderful work my friend.
Take care
Mike
PS - There's me just trying to perfect slimline pens , and YOU come up with this!!!! ;)
Thank you Mike,
This was a real enjoyable pen to attempt turning. I was so sure I'd have problems that I made plenty of extra blanks. Thank goodness it worked, now I have several more sets to experiment with. I may have another video out of this if I get something interesting.
Regards,
Bob
I've seen a few pine cone pens too, they look really cool you should try that next!
Thanks for the idea,
Pine cones are on my turning bucket list.
Regards,
Bob
I eat some corn on a cob today while i was watching your video and I could not make a pen out of them because I don't have to tools for it but I cleaned the cob and put it in the oven for 45 minutes on 75.C and let them dry. I made a hole in the top and made a little tube out of bamboo and now i am smoking a bamboo corn cob pipe its amazing ! so don't throw the eaten cobs out (And I really like your video you where generally exited about it and that's what I like in videos)
Thank you,
I was challenged to make a corn cop pipe to go with the pen. If I ever do, I like your method.
Regards,
Bob
Very cool ( and green ) idea and your video presentation was excellent . Move over bamboo , corn cobs a coming . 😎
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
Cool concept. I'll have to walk our fields and see if I can find any useable cobs.
Rik
Let them dry real well and you should be ok. I like to pick them up right after they go through the combine.
Regards,
Bob
I think I'll try brass filings to fill the divots. Sounds good we'll see. You do good work and demoing. Chuck Hummell, Marianna, Fl
+Charles Hummell Thank you Chuck.
Regards,
Bob
It's hard make a comment because I'm still trying to catch my breath! A pen out of corn cob! I'm speechless!
+andresisthename Thank you very much,
Regards,
Bob
I really like that you reply to comments
Thank you Jamie,
I enjoy talking with everyone and helping out where I can.
Regards,
Bob
I would like to see the paper towel idea it sounds really cool. I loved using the lave in wood shop in middle school
That's funny,
I have had several requests for that. I'll need to get some epoxy and we'll see.
Regards,
Bob
ok cool thx should make a great vid
Well who would've thought that a corn cobb could look so good. Catus juice is better suited for your wooden blanks, especially burls and sphaultded. And if you take one of the bushings from your live center side and put it between your blanks it'll give you more room to work. As always a great video. Thanks for sharing your video, and take care, David
Thank you David,
Funny you should mention the two bushings, I did that exact thing last night when I was turning two cobs into key chains. I didn't want to nick one of them.
Regards,
Bob
Thank you for the tip of the wood hardener.
I have turned several of these and have always just wiped on CA every-so-often as I spun them. That worked well but I am curious to see how much better the hardener will be. I have even turned complete corn cob pens without using anything to stabilize it....just a really soft touch and a lot more sanding than chisel work.
I turned mine down quite a bit more and you don't have the large corn holes to fill but you still see the same pattern.
I used liquid food coloring as a finish and now have a blue, green and red corn cob pen.
They look pretty cool. The food coloring worked well as it only highlights the pattern of the cob and doesn't make it a solid color but it was a bit sticky to work with. After it is applied, you can even sand some off to get your desired look. Then I applied CA over the top and the color is locked in. I'm wondering if the food color will work if I use the wood hardener prior?......(guess i will have to try)
I see you published this video in January. If you haven't yet, you should really try turning one down a lot further for both looks and ease of use. Just my 2 cents.
If you have a minute after you try the wood hardener, I'd love to hear your thoughts as to wether it made a difference or not. I have never turned a corn cob without it. I will have to attempt it and see what my results are.
Thank you for such a detailed comment and especially for the information on food coloring. I am curious to see if the food coloring will adhere with the wood hardener or not.
I was thinking about soaking a cob in food coloring the letting it dry and then soaking it in wood hardener to see what happens. I still plan to try it.
Regards,
Bob
Live next to a cornfield as well. Just bought the same lathe last week. Couldn't pass up the price. 191 and change. Now just have to order a mandrel saver kit and a couple of carbide tools from PSI.
+Scott Sherfey That's awesome! Let me know if you have any questions along the way.
Regards,
Bob
Really cool!
+tracylynnw Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
I'm going to do this very thing..just picked up some hardener..I made a picknick bench squirrel feeder so i have a lot of corn cobs, and i to live in Indiana farm country lots of corn and beans
Awesome!
I’d love to see a photo when you finish.
Regards,
Bob
Looks good. I always try to spray the accelerator first prior to putting in the CA glue due to it lets the bottom dry along with the top. Corn cob looks great when you use colored resin to fill in the holes. All types of things to do with corn cob.
Thank you Susan,
This is excellent information especially the tip on spraying the accelerator first. I will give that a try.
I can't wait to attempt coloring the kernel divots.
Regards,
Bob
Great video. Thanks!
Thank you Steve,
I really appreciate that.
Regards,
Bob
use thin CA as you turn the cobs down, this will harden the cobs nicely you wont have to worry so much about chip out and the pen will be a lot more rugged when it's done. nice job on the cob!
Thank you for the tip Tom,
I will definitely try that.
Regards,
Bob
We can get popcorn still on the cob as a novelty item here. After popping in the microwave the cob is bone dry. The cobs are a little smaller so work well for pens and I get a good feed of popcorn. I usually drill the cob run thin CA down the hole and redrill after it hardens then turn the pen with light cuts and harden with thin CA as I get closer. Can't seem to find the wood hardener aroun here.
That's a good idea, drooling C/A to harden the core where the tube will go. I started using five minute epoxy on my cob pens. It seems to do a great job and I don't notice any deterioration. Worst part is I have to wait longer to turn.
Regards,
Bob
Nice work. A suggestion: Drill out the cobs before you soak them in hardener. They will absorb more and be more stable for turning.
Thank you.
Erm.. corn cob? is there no end lol. I didnt think it would work but then, what do I know.. I always try to emulate what I see and usually most items are available in the UK or can be ordered from the USA at a reasonable cost. I appreciate this is 4 years ago and inflation plays a part but to get minwax wood hardener over in the uk today it is over 108 pounds which is currently about 130 dollars ( yes the same size tin) so maybe IF I try a corncob pen I will go for a much cheaper hardener.. BUT, your proved it an be done once again :) well done....
If you’re on any wood turning groups, ask if anyone can stabilize the corn cobs for you.
Regards,
Bob
Cool vid. Thanks.
Thanks you Stephen,
This was really fun to do.
Regards,
Bob
Great video, Bob. I appreciate the time and effort you went through to show us how it's done, step-by-step. I agree with you on the lack of aesthetics as I'm really not into overly fat slimlines -- seems a bit of an oxymoron, if you catch my drift ; >) I think I would use a Cigar pen as the added girth would be less of an aesthetic issue.
Thank you John,
When I picked through the bag for cobs for this project, I selected the larger ones not knowing how big they would be after turning. I think I'll turn some nice key chains and larger pens from the rest of the ones I stabilized and use up the smaller cobs to make a few more slimlines. At least I know now what to collect for next years crop.
Regards,
Bob
Excellent. Did you ever try to fill the kernel valleys with anything? That is an awesome idea. Thanks for sharing
John
Thank you John,
This new YT tool is showing me all the comments I missed over the years. Apologies for not responding sooner.
I hope you're still watching and enjoying my videos.
If you haven't checked out the channel for a while, please stop by and see some of the newer videos.
I've made a bunch of the over the years.
Regards,
Bob
Bob, google Missouri Meerschaum. They make corn cob pipes and use a certain kind of cob to hold up to drilling and use. Might be an option for future pens. Good job with it .
Thank you Jay,
That is some great information. I'll look
him up.
Regards,
Bob
Interesting. Perhaps the people in that area (involved with all the surrounding corn business) would want to have a pen like that?
That's what I'm hoping Mac,
What do you get the farmer who has everything? A corn cob pen.
Regards,
Bob
Those would make nifty corn cob holders.
What would you use for a final coating to make them suitable for table use?
I'm not really sure,
For a cutting board id use more mineral oil but that wouldn't work on these.
I used C/A but that's definitely not good safe.
I'll ask around to see if I can find anything.
Regards,
Bob
I'm going to try this with some corn cobs after the squirrels eat the corn off them. Won't have to deal with the combine issues that way. I'm going to also try applying a vacuum to them when they are in the hardener which should get it all the way through the cob quickly. I'll post results once I get a chance to try it.
+Randy Milliken Let me know how it goes Randy,
I think the vacuum is a great idea.
Regards,
Bob
Good job
Thank you.
Regards,
Bob
First of all, awesome video!
and now to my actual question, do you have to use dried cobs? I live in California, and I was thinking to just have dinner with my family, eat some corn and turn what's left, anding up with a cheap, simple way to make a cool pen. Also, will you try to actually make a pen out of hardened paper towels? That sounded pretty cool and interesting to do!
Yours,
Yonatan
Thank you,
This new YT tool is showing me all the comments I missed over the years. Apologies for not responding sooner.
I hope you're still watching and enjoying my videos.
If you haven't checked out the channel for a while, please stop by and see some of the newer videos.
I've made a bunch of the over the years.
Regards,
Bob
Seems like it'd be fun to turn a full length cob on centers before drilling the hole then cast it to fill those depressions using a fatter pen kit.
I’ve never tried that but is does sound like a cool idea.
Regards,
Bob
Great Job on the corn cob Would like to know what substance you used to fill the kernel holes .,on the 2nd cob.
+Terry Lanning Thank you Tarry,
I used medium C/A.
Regards,
Bob
Your videos are well done. Two questions: 1) can you explain a pressure pot? and 2) I see you are using a Harbor Freight 10x18 lathe. How much of a problem is it not having a variable speed drive? I see Penn State sells a Variable Speed backfit kit. Given the lathes being sold for pen work and small turning are likely the same lathe, I wonder if the VS backfit kit would work opn these lathes that look like they are all made buy the same company. (I know Penn States can come in VS)
Hello David,
I don't own a pressure pot but I'll do my best to explain them. You can put punky wood into resin and add air pressure to the pot. The pressure forces the resin into the wood and stabilizes it.
For more Information, take a look at Zac Higgins over at NVWoodwerks. That is and e and not an o in werks.
I've gotten so use to to moving the belts on my lathe that it's not really and issue. I use to own a variable speed lathe and it is a nice convenience plus it saves a bit of time.
Regards,
Bob
That is pretty neat! I didn't even know wood hardener existed.
Thank you David,
I picked it up at my local Menards for $10.00. Usually you paint several coats onto the surface of rotting wood to stabilize it for painting. It works really well.
Regards,
Bob
Excellent job with the corn pen ,would this not decompose or would adding the glue prevent it from doing this.
Cheers
Tim from Wood 4 Nothing
The glue and wood hardener will prevent it from decomposing.
Regards,
Bob
What do you think about putting the cobs and hardener in a container and then using a vacuum pump, would that improve the penetration of the hardener? White cobs would be pretty too. Great video and excellent technique in turning and teaching. Thanks for sharing
Thank you David,
If you want to use vacuum, that would work great. I’d recommend Cactus Juice over wood hardener, it will penetrate better and give nicer results. What I did was a poor mans method.
Regards,
Bob
I've made these before but I put some 2 step epoxy that I dyed green in the holes
I really want to try that. I'll bet it looks amazing.
Regards,
Bob
Next time you should try a resident for fiberglass. It will make them very hard and easier to turn
Thank you Ed,
Once I get into my new shop, I hope to get into some casting.
Regards,
Bob
I want to try that thanks
Thank you Jeffrey.
Regards,
Bob
Definitely cool.
Thank you Joe,
It was fun to make too.
Regards,
Bob
Would it make sense to "double soak" them in hardener? Maybe after the first soak and dry, drill the center holes, then soak them again to get good penetration from the inside out.
That’s a good idea, it certainly couldn’t hurt.
Regards,
Bob
I am going to try this but mix color into the CA glue
That would look amazing.
Good video. Do you have a video showing how to shorten a pen tube and adjust the assembly?
Thank you Jesse,
I don’t have a video on shortening the pen tube. I did add a trim ring to fix a short blank once.
Regards,
Bob
Random question. Where did you get the dried corn cobs that you stabilized? Love your videos. Thanks in advance. :-)
How did you get them ?
Hello Paul,
I live next to a corn field. When they harvest, I pick up the cobs.
Regards,
Bob
If you used something like food dye to tie-dye the towel, then harden it, I think that would be an amazing pen.
That’s a cool idea and now that I can cast, I may try that.
Regards,
Bob
If you do try it. You could fold the paper towel into a rectangle about the length of the tube, then you can stack them till they're a good height. Next you should hold them together with a rubber band or two and drip the food coloring on, and once it's dry you can put it into the wood hardener.
If you are looking for something else besides the glue as a top coat, you could try self leveling bar top epoxy like envirotex. It would fill in the holes and would be a nice clear finish. Look at fishing lure making forums through google if you need any more information.
J.
Thank you for this information,
I will defiantly try this product as filling those holes with C/A sometimes makes the finish to thick and it looks like plastic. I'm anxious to see if I can get better results with Envirotex.
Regards,
Bob
It almost looks like snake skin... I have some cobs that I stabilized with cactus juice to give this a try. I think I’m also going to do either a modified slimline or a capstone pen so the cob will remain one piece.
That’s awesome! Please send photos.
Regards,
Bob
This looks great and like a fun project. Did you turn the other pieces and experiment with the additional filling materials?
-Todd
Hello Todd,
I did turn the other pieces. I had about a 50/50 success rate with them. What I found is that the unturned cobs got brittle the longer they set. I'm looking forward to getting a pressure pot so I can make many more. The pen was very popular around here.
Regards,
Bob
+RJBWoodTurner hi, really like what you have done, I've been very interested in lathe's and have been watching lots of stuff on them, hoping to get one at some point soon. just wondering if you had looked into the option of using epoxy to make the blank with the cob inside it, not sure if it would work with the cob but have seen a lot of people casting normally unusable things in epoxy and the turning them on the lathe creating some quite beautiful items. and with the contrast of the epoxy and the ability to add other things i thought that could enhance the cob. if the epoxy would work with the cob and still be workable it would fill in the issues of the holes left from the corn and I imagine it would make it a whole lot easier to finish it off.
Just a thought. if you have thought of this and it wouldn't work let me know, if I get a lathe I wouldn't mind trying something with the cob =]
Hello Louis,
That idea would work just fine. Epoxy is a fantastic solution for corn cobs. I just don't have a pressure pot to eliminate the bubbles.
Regards,
Bob
a trick I've seen a guy on here called peter brown does is use a blow torch, clears the bubbles right up in his moulds, if you haven't seem him he does some fun stuff with epoxy and random objects =]
Thank you Louis.
Regards,
Bob
I checked him out. Not sure why he needs to pressueize the resin blanks unless it is a physics element that creates the curing. High pressure elevates boiling point and low pressure drops it. I can see it for materials that have air collapsable space that needs filling to stabilize for machining. Hey maybe I'll glue a bunch of pencils together and turrn them down into one pencil with a gigantic eraser.
Thank you David,
This new YT tool is showing me all the comments I missed over the years. Apologies for not responding sooner.
I hope you're still watching and enjoying my videos.
If you haven't checked out the channel for a while, please stop by and see some of the newer videos.
I've made a bunch of the over the years.
Regards,
Bob
Hi bobWho was the turner ,besides yourself, that does interesting and original turnings ? You mentioned him in one of your videos, l watched his video and was impressed. Unfortunately , I also forgot his name or his project. Keep up your great work!!! Rich
My buddy Lynn Lacey does some amazing blanks. His channel is llwoodworks.
Regards,
Bob
Hi Bob, great video. What do you think of a larger diameter pen kit such as the 30 Caliber Bolt action Bullet Cartridge. so the shape might look a little more proportional?
Hello Wayne,
I think the 30 cal or any other larger kit would work great! It certainly would be much easier to turn a larger diameter. I only use the Slimlines for testing and videos because their cheap. Once I prove an idea, I can scale it up to just about any kit. I have made several of the Stratus pens with corn cob and they turned out beautiful.
Regards,
Bob
yours looks better then mine
+Judy Francisco Thank you Judy
It's a tough pen to turn, give it another try and I'm sure you'll get it.
Regards,
Bob
Another project somebody turned + sold cobb pipe cigar's. Missouri Meerchaum sold some .
Great idea Darin.
Regards,
Bob
Interesting looking pen. I like it. I would try coloring where the kernels fell out with different colored markers. That would look really neat. Great video. How much did the wood hardner cost?
I have a bunch of acrylic paints in bright colors so I may give that a try.
The wood hardener was $10.00 at MENARDS.
Regards,
Bob
Give it a try if you would like to. Wow. That's really cheap.