My love of making things with my hands started as a very young boy helping my father fix and build things for our family home. This love continued through my school years with me studying ‘O’ Levels in Woodwork, Metalwork and Technical Drawing and an ‘A’ Level in Design Technology. My education in this field continued with 2 years, of a 3 year course, at college studying a B. Ed in Design Technology which I didn’t complete as I realised that being a teacher was not going to be my chosen career. Just over 40 years later having had 2 full knee replacement operations I found I had a lot of time on my hands during the recovery periods from these operations and took up Matchstick Modelling which could be done while sitting down while keeping my legs elevated I wanted to take this further so bought a bandsaw, from a very old friend of mine, and while spending the weekend at his home, spent most of that time in his workshop and made my first pen on his lathe. The rest is history as they say
...I know this is an older video, but luckily I found it...I watched Emma use these powers some time ago but I remember her saying she doesn't like to clear coat over it as it deters some of the effect... I'm happy to see that lacquer is suitable especially on a piece that will be handled often...so thank you for sparing me the experiment ordeal...😅👍 Matt
Hi Matt, Emma does leave them natural but as you said for something that would be handle it wouldn't last very long. The finish has held up as well. Take care Matt and thanks again. Chee, Huw
Glad I found your video: you saved me quite a bit of money since now I'm not buying the SC2 nor the dome jaws. See, Teknatool listened to the complaints and milled their own dome jaws with a groove for better grip right at the factory. No modding needed. I'll buy the Nova Dome Jaws instead. Thanks!
Hello, Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. I wouldn’t normally have bought this chuck but it was ideal for the job I wanted. Having to modify the jaws was disappointing but not difficult. Take care and thanks again. Cheers, Huw
Well done Hew. I have not started to make segmented pens yet I need to make a few more pens to say I am a pen maker but I will. I intend to steal your idea. I really like your design idea. Thank you.
Hi Alan, Thank you very much indeed. I love making segmented pens and trying things out to see what the end result is. I have quite a few videos on segmenting pens some are more difficult than others I have to say. If I can ever be of any help please don't hesitate to email me and ask any questions. Take care Alan. Cheers, Huw
I will try your alternative to a CA finish. It takes me a lot longer to finish a wood pen than an acrylic pen. I do not use CA glue for my brass inserts I prefer to use epoxy. I glue up a batch one day and start pen making the next few days. That way I can work at my own pace. I like the finish. Thank you from a Brit living in Australia.
Thanks Alan, A very good friend of mine, Andy, told me of this way of finishing a pen and thought I would try it. It works really well and have finished all my pens this way for the last nearly 3 years without any complaints as well. It is a lot quicker than a CA finish as well. Take care Alan and from a wet and windy South Wales ( not the new one lol). Cheers, Huw
Hi Colin, Mark does a superb job. Be careful the battery holder. I've stopped using mine as it pulled the laser forward and altered the focal length of the laser.
Thanks Jojo. I've done 2 so far and one was brilliant and the other was ok but that was due to bad weather. Big one starting on Wednesday for 13 days. Take care my friend and thanks again. Cheers, Huw
Great job Huw, I was surprised how much dust was left after the air line had been used. I learn so much about wood and how to work with it from watching these videos of yours. I see that you are now nearly 2,100 Subscribers, well deserved. AJ
Thanks Andy, Lots of people think that an air line will remove all the dust, which as I showed, it doesn't. Some people use water to clear the grain, which does work, but I prefer Meths as it dries so much quicker. 3 more to go for 2100 at the moment but that can change overnight as you know. Take care mate. Cheers, Huw
Ha ha, joke's on me - I thought I was going to see a 3-wood combo pen. But instead got three beauties for my viewing pleasure. Thanks Huw ! I made a few bud pots from lilac a while back and they had so much character as yours does ... simply wonderful ! Thanks again. Take care. -Mike
Thanks Mike, Haha I will do a 3 wood combo just for you after this month. I was amazed at the Lilac as I had never turned it before. Thankfully I have some more. Take care my friend. Cheers, Huw
Thanks Harold. Haha I honestly believe I have the best relics on YT. Selling everything would be amazing but making it all gain would really keep me busy. Take care my friend. Cheers, Huw
All 3 look amazing Huw thanks for sharing mate. I like all 3 but if I was to pick one for myself I'd prob go with the Spalted Beech I've always been a sucker fir it. Take care bud Slan go Foil Conor
Thanks Conor, A few have mentioned the Spalted Beech. When I first started turning pens I had a huge amount of Spalted Beech so perhaps it's lost its edge for me. tabhair aire maité Cheers, Huw
They all look amazing Huw! I agree that the lavendar is beautiful, but I also think the Laburnum is lovely too. Great video...I'm sure they'll all so really well 😁💙
Thanks Phillip, I will be getting more of these as I really like the kit. The three pieces were certainly different and the Lilac just stands out for me. Take care mate. Cheers, Huw
Great pens Huw. The lilac is beautiful. Enjoyed the video and looking forward to the next one. I hope you do well at the market. Take care Huw and have a great weekend!
Thanks Will, I'm looking forward to turning some of the new blanks you kindly sent. When I looked at the ends of the Lilac blank I thought that is going to be a special pen. Take care mate. Cheers, Huw
Thanks Jim, I bought the Chrome kits years ago and they sat in a box. I think the upgrade to a screw cap is a great idea. The long tube allows for a blank to be shown off nicely. Take care mate. Cheers, Huw
What a beautiful piece of elm Huw, you certainly did it justice, the commissioner must be well pleased with it. I just niticed that I wasn't subscribed but now remedied.
Thanks Lawrence, In Jon's video he shows that you can do it either way for the ink nib but for the pencil adapter you need to go through the nib end. Take care Lawrence. Cheers, Huw