I am a 73 year old ex truck driver from Sheffield in the UK looking for a hobby, I am loving your videos, you make them so interesting and your enthusiasm is catching, thanks a lot.
I just started pen making a few months ago and after a quick search on RU-vid, I ran into your videos. And I have to say a BIG THANKS for all of the information you have provided. Definitely a mentor of mine.
Just did this. can't thank you enough! I neglected to cut the blank in half to insert the veneer so the end result was just rings without the perpendicular lines. with a blowout during the milling prices, credit goes to you again. because you show your successes AND mistakes, I attacked it with CA. Not a store-quality pen but someone would be hard-pressed to find the blemish. It's perfect for use by me.
Thank you Chris, I'm glad you gave this a try. I am especially happy to hear you didn't let a little blow out stop you. It takes so long to make one of these blanks and I hate to lose one. I always try to repair and many times it adds character to the pen and they're the ones that go first. Congratulations on your first segmented pen, I'll bet it won't be your last. Regards, Bob
@1:55 - when I realize I'm watching the next level. His scrap that he cuts on is better than anything in my shop! Love your work and creativity. You are making more than pens. You're making inspiration.
Mike Waldt Thank you Mike, These are fun and very easy to make. I hope to see you making some in a future video. I always love watching other turners and learning from their ideas and techniques.Regards,Bob
What a great looking Pen! When i first saw it i thought you would need the patience of a saint to cut out all of the tiny segments and glue them up (like you would a segmented vase/bowl) but you cleared that process right up. Thanks for a great video.
I've been wanting to turn a segmented pen but wasn't sure how to glue the layers for a good result. Thanks for the video, that pen turned out great! It looks like you went through the painstaking process of gluing a bunch of tiny bricks together.
Thank you, These pens are a bit time consuming because of the drying time but they are relatively easy to make. They only look complicated. Regards, Bob
Excellent video, Bob. I got a couple of ideas on how to improve my segment cutting process and how to use a bolt for stacking, gluing and clamping. Beats what I have done in the past. Thanks.
Thank you John, The bolts work really well, you can crank them down and squeeze the glue out from between the segments making a super tight bond. I'm loving learning about segmenting, I have so many new ideas. Regards, Bob
Glad to have seen the process of setting the blank up. I have a large pizza box filled with veneer I got from Lee Valley. With the blizzard headed our way tonight and Tuesday I think I will give this a shot, as long as the power stays on lol Thanks for the inspiration Bob Cheers from Nova Scotia Mark
Thank you Mark, One thing I learned and will mention in a follow up video is watch the placement of your pieces so you can control the pattern. My first couple were very random until I figured that out. Take care and be careful, are you guys going to get hit really hard up there? Regards, Bob
Really great pens Bob. Can't wait to get out to the shop and try one for myself. Got a few cabinet doors to finish building. Thanks for sharing and take care, David
Love it. I just made a similar jig for segmented pens based on yours. I used a test cut with the band saw to line up the block with a right angle to get flood true cuts. I put the segments directly onto pen tubes though using scrap ends before clamping and not the bolt. I've glued up and now waiting overnight for the glue to dry. Many thanks for the video.
That's awesome David, Please let me know how your blanks turn out. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to try to answer them for you. Regards, Bob
Hi - see a link to see what I did with some photos. I used thin pieces of beech in place of veneer. I might try veneer soon though. www.icloud.com/keynote/AwBWCAESEGR9W7cJa-_CFEp7tUqHAq8aKr920vMch70taV8Cp4hvtY1XhZ0GD-JjBRoREVB0JivlLi4i9h8P_dz0NgMCUCAQEEIK0TDNFPEG3CiWuVGd9mPw3HDSXhETwqpHRC9zA4iOGz#Laburnum_and_beech._
WOW David! The pen looks amazing. I love how segmented pens are so gnarly looking as blanks and then they turn into the most beautiful pens. I find myself stopping the lathe frequently just to see the progress. Thank you for sharing these photos with me, I love seeing what other turners are doing. I apologize for taking so long to get back to you but I had to wait until I got to a computer to open the link, my phone wouldn't open it. Regards, Bob
RJB - Just wanted to say, love your videos, keep up the good work. My wife and I are just getting into this addicting hobby and you've already gotten our minds racing! Wanted to throw out a very small suggestion. For making the holes in the laminate for the inserts, I went out and bought a good old fashioned hole punch from my local office supply store. Roughly $3 and no worry about tear out on the laminate and a perfect hole every time.
Hi Bob, from here in the UK, you must stop using a floating vice, it spoils a good job, you must clamp the vice to the drill table, you see when you start drilling in the centre of the blank the vice is creeping so when you break through the hole is one sided, so many turners make this mistake, keep up the good work, just made this blank using brass aluminum and copper 5mm thick the results are amazing, I have been engineering for over 60 years so you learn many tricks of the trade. well done. ps, put a piece of leather around the blank much safer.
+alfred william Thank you for the tip Alfred, I have also noticed that the vise flexes when I use it. It may be time to start drilling on the lathe. Bob
bob thanks, I dont know how anyone could dislike this. Ive been a subscriber for a while, but want to get into pen turning because of back issues I have now. I vahe a pretty good support group here locally around Chicago that can get me started, look forward to watching more of what you have.
+Jim Beshears Thank you Jim, I'd bet the dislikes came from people who stumbled across the video but aren't pen turners. Oh well, at least they watched it. Bob
Very nice. Make it look easy. Like the bolt clamp. Band sawn segments are obviously smooth enough before glue-up so as not to show a gap. Very nice. I may try this sometime.
Thank you Tom, The band sawn segments are pretty smooth, maybe because there not real thick to start with and there's not much opportunity for the blade to move. I'm not real sure but they come out really nice. I like to use laminate between the segments because it will compress when I crank down on the bolt and if there is a tiny gap, it fills it. The real trick is laying out all the pieces so you get a nice pattern when you glue them up. The first couple I did didn't have much of a pattern. Now, I lay them out on the bench and can gat a nice stacked brick look. Regards, Bob
RJBWoodTurner For a final 7mm bore, you're using a 1/4 inch bolt (about 6 mm diameter) to clamp the segments. What are using to ream the finished product? A 7 mm drill bit twisted by hand? That's what I'd probably do. Thanks for letting me know.
Thank you Daniel, I was pleasantly surprised too. Truthfully I didn't know what to expect from the turned blank, I will be making many more of these segmented blanks and hope to improve on them and add more designs. Regards, Bob
Thank you David, I'm batching out the blanks so it's not that labor extensive. The best part is they are so ugly when you start then you turn them and find a gem. It's kind of like putting oil on a cutting board for the first time. I love it! Regards, Bob
Thank you, I love watching your videos. I am very new to turning of any kind and I love it. I noticed for a beginner that you don’t show the sanding and finishing part in some of your videos. I would love to see how you finish your ideas (sanding) and the products you may use in this part (triple EEE, CA, or friction lacquer, etc) of the process. As a beginner I find it interesting and most informative in the learning process because so many of the you turners use different products. Thank you again. Love the ideas you come up with. Happy turning!
Nice pen. I like the video of the blank cutoffs as well. I do a lot of craft shows, and that is a great idea for veterans. They get a free pen for their service, and I'm only out a few bucks.
Thank you. It seems the more glue you can squeeze out of a joint the better the glue up. The bolts really let me crank it down tight. So far none of them have come apart and they turn easier than solid wood in my opinion. I hope you give this a try, it's a blast. Regards, Bob
RJBWoodTurner I'd love to give it a try but I don't have the mandrel needed to turn a pen as well as the pen kits and can glue. The bolt was a great idea.
RJBWoodTurner No problem. I turned my first pen last week. It was fun. It was out of some exotic wood. Thanks for the offer to help me out with any questions I may have. I appreciate it.
Are these as relaxing to make as the videos are to watch? I've watched dozens of wood-turning videos since I first stumbled across one a few days ago and I think it looks super relaxing to do.... I would love to try my hand at it, but don't know if I'll ever get the chance.... Amazing work.
Hello Melody, I think making pens is very relaxing. I do it as a hobby and I make what I want when I want so I don't have the stress like the guys who do it as a business. It's a great way to unwind after work. Regards, Bob
+Melody Joy If you have a Woodcraft store close to you, check their class schedule - I took a pen turning class at my local store. It's a good way to get your feet wet.
Curt Johnson That sounds amazing, but I live in Honduras, and I don't imagine there's anything like that near me. Even if there were, I wouldn't know how to find them... :/ I'll have to check them out next time I'm state-side. :D
I just watched a timberbits video on this same sort of pen blank. Maybe we or y'all are on the same page. Cool brickwork kind of look Bob. Ideas are brewing!
Thank you, I need to check out that timber bits video, I might be able to pick up some ideas or better ways of doing this. Thanks for letting me know about it. Regards, Bob
Love this look. Would like tto see a more redish colored wood. Something that looks similar to the standard red brick look. Would be a really popular pen amongst tthe masonry crowd. If you could simplify the method to batch them out, you could sell hundreds. Thanks for this awesome informative video.
That is a brilliant method and you've saved my hide because there's a competition in the woodturning club I belong to coming up for a segmented piece and I've never done any segmenting before. Thank you. Best Wishes, Brendan.
Your welcome Brendan, Just a tip, watch the alignment of the segments. I finally realized just how random my pattern was then I started aligning them and the pattern really looks nice. Best of luck with the competition, I hope you win! Regards, Bob
Great idea....a suggestion might be to use a tap and die set to reduce the thickness of the thread to avoid cracking on the segments with the ability to thread remaining.
FYI there is also Arizona Silhouette, also in Pennsylvania. It used to be in Arizona but Barry Gross bought it and moved it to PA. Barry used to be with Penstateind and sometimes I think he's still with them because I see his name on some of their designs. It still goes by the original name even thought it's in Pennsylvania....also a good source of supplies, and let's not forget about Rockler. Bill
+William Bidel Thank you William, I had not heard of them but I will take a look at their web page. Thank you for the lead on another supplier.Regards,Bob
Bob, you drive me crazy glueing up blanks. The finger rub must go! You need a small glue brush to make your job easier and cleaner. Your results are beautiful anyway.
I'm in the process of doing one of these using some different combinations of source material...one of my ancestors built the clock mechanism for Big Ben so I want so pay homage to that.
I agree, you do make some good vids. There not a polish or comapany type video more a what I did type from a real person perspective. Good inspiration.
What a nice gift this video is for us newbies. Thanks for your time and effort. Would it matter if you cut the tiles first, glued them in a stack, and then drilled the segmented blank? Thanks Bob. Jake
+drjbg400 Hello Jake, Not at all, as long as you can get plenty of clamping pressure gluing first and drilling later would work perfectly. Regards, Bob
Hey Bob, I made my first brick pattern pen for a Sierra kit following similar steps to this video. I used titebond 2. It was challenging removing the 1/4" rod after the glue dried. Have you found any tricks to taking advantage of the rod for alignment and not getting it glued to the blank? Thanks for all the videos.
Congratulations, I try to remove the bolt after about 20 minutes. I use my drill to back it out because the threads fill up with the glue and that’s why it sticks. A brass wire wheel removes the glue from the threads once it dries. Regards, Bob
My father is an older should-be-retired brick Mason. I've been looking for a way to make a "brick" pattern pen. Thank you for the video and beautiful pens. I've read in comments that you were going to try credit cards for the "mortar joints", how did that turn out? Again, thank you.
I’ve never gotten around to trying it, but I’m sure it would work well. I’ve used them many times before in other segmenting projects and they work great.
If you wouldn't mind, I would like to get some detailed plans on how you make these. Just seeing your video and the 2 pens you featured, gives me several ideas of creating something that beautiful.
Assembly instructions,details like what size drill bit you used and the laminate processes what size bolt you used to assemble the works together, and what kind of glue you use to adhere the project together with. Thanks in advance. Wally
+Wallace Owen I used a 1/4" drill bit. The veneer was 1/64" and I glued it up with Titebond II. The bolt was 1/4" and I think 5" in length. I hope this helps. Regards, Bb
Nice video. Must try it. One quick question. How crucial is it to have the hole that is drilled in the blank be centered on both ends? Sometimes I start off drilling in the center and it comes out slightly off center on the opposite side of the blank. Al
Hello Al, If you have issues with the hole veering off a bit, you can use a shorter bit which will have less flex and reduced travel. When I don't have a shorter bit available, I will apply painters talk to the flights of my bit to protect it and push it as far into the chuck as it will go. Do not over tighten the chuck, if you do it can and will damage your but. The other option it to drill partially through the blank, maybe 1/4" to 1/3" then cut your pieces and drill a little further. I hope this info helps. Regards, Bob
Beautiful pens sir. I wonder if it would be possible to use a soft metal like aluminum or maybe brass in place of the veneer? I don't yet own a lathe but would love to get one and start experimenting. Good stuff!
Thank you Shmitty, Absolutely aluminum & brass would work. I would probably switch to epoxy to glue it all up. There is no doubt in my mind that it would work and probably make a beautiful pen. Regards, Bob
Wait..... When you "jointed" the blank, did you have a precise spot you placed the blank on that jig? How do you know both sides were jointed parallel?
Hello Kirk, I eyeballed it and got lucky. I’m sure there is a precise spot but I didn’t take the time to figure that out. I have a better way to make these blanks now that I will be demoing at SWAT in August. Regards, Bob
not sure. i am still learning the woods that are out there, maybe a blueish wood with a contrast of a simple white wood, or something just off the wall that you can think of.
That was a learning experience, however, I observed that you made a jig for your band saw. Can you send me the specs for it. I believe I may have the similar band saw you have. I do like how you made the pen centering on the vice. I would like to know how you reamed the blank.
Hello, The sled is just a 3/4" piece of plywood with an oak runner on the bottom and a piece of oak squared to the blade on top. I use a stop block to guarantee repeatable cuts. The original hole in the blank was 1/4" which is just a tad smaller that 7mm. I just ran the 7mm but through the blank to ream it out for the tubes. Regards, Bob
RJBWoodTurner Thank you, that is helpful. I made a jig to cut the exact diameter hole for the aluminum can. I just took a "2" block of wood from a 2x4, and made a second one out of oak flooring wood. Centered the line, then drilled holes quarter inch from edge on the line, on each side of both pieces of wood. I then doweled each hole through both pieces of wood and cut off the excess dowel. Then I took the dowels and glued them in place. Leaving a small piece of wood wedged between the top and bottom, allowing it to dry. When I need a piece of plastic or aluminum can to drill through, I just put a strip between the two and drill away. I marked the holes of which drill bit sizes with a marker. I am also contemplating using a clamp to hold the top in place to allow the least rippage of aluminum when drilling.
I really want to make one of these pens. How did you mount the blank and keep the 7mm drill bit straight? With the 1/4" hole already there, wouldn't it drift and end up with the tube being sloppy? Thanks
I drilled it out to 1/4” on a drill press. The blank was held in a vise to keep it steady. The 1/4” bolt kept everything in alignment then the 7mm bit will follow the path of least resistance. There was no drift. Regards, Bob
"Bob's Brick Pen" turning technique. A must see for pen turners. Saw you display those on the Maritime show and thought they were cool. Nice work Bob. I have a cheap but wide opening plastic syringe I use for gluing small areas (cleans up with hot water and soap). Haven't seen the kids turning lately, did they lose interest? That HF lathe seems to be holding up well and quiet?
MRrwmac Thank you Mac, It's to cold in the shop for the kids, they prefer the warm house. Plus, there's plenty of homework and school activities ticking away at their time these days. The old HF is holding up just fine, it makes a pretty good pen lathe. The only concern I have with it is if I try something larger that it may be under powered. I definitely need a better gluing solution than the stock bottle. It's on the list.Regards,Bob
Yes Brendan, One of the preferred methods is to attach a block of wood to your lathe face plate and put some sand paper on it. Put a Jacobs chuck in the tail stock. You can then chuck up an old drill bit in reverse and use that to square the blank with the sanding disk. I am sure there are other ways this is just the one I see most often. Before I had a Jacobs Chuck, I use to remove the chuck from my drill press and use it. They both were #2 MT. I later purchased an old drill chuck at a flee market for $4.00, you could probably repurpose a broken drill. I bought a #2 MT off Ebay for $8.00 and put them together to make my own. I still use it to this day. I hope this helps. Regards, Bob
Wonderful results Bob. Did you have to take any special steps to prevent the glue from sticking to the bolt? I plan to try out your technique next week. Thank you for sharing. Jim
Hello Jim, I pull the blanks off the bolts after about 20 to 25 minutes so I didn't have any issues. First time I attempted it I left one on and it was a bear to remove. Regards, Bob
Fantastic pens and a great method of segmenting Bob you made it look very easy. Looking forward to your future pen videos. How did you get on with the polymer clay? All the best Tony
Thank you Tony, I have the clay and the canes in my office, I just need some time to sit down and work with them. I'm really looking forward to it and so is my daughter. She saw the canes and went crazy for them. Regards, Bob
Hi Bob! Nice build, curious how do you get it from the 1/4 hole to the size of the pen tube? Do you wrap it with the shop towel and hold it by hand like when you use the barrel trimmer? Thanks, Gary
Same way, just follow it with a larger bit the size you need. 1/4” is the size of the mandrel so you can enlarge it to what ever size needed. Regards, Bob
Back then I used a Harbor Freight lathe and no I wouldn’t recommend it. It wore out to fast. Now I use a Jet lathe, bought it used, and it’s wonderful. Regards, Bob
Thanks a lot. Im in the planning phase of turning my garage into a full blown wood shop. I have a little money to throw around, but dont want to waste it.
+Daniel Williams Yes you can. I'd use epoxy if you have the time. I only use C/A because it's quick for the videos. C/A will probably just fine but I like the extra insurance. With epoxy you can mix Wood and acrylic. Regards, Bob
