The "Long-Line" Pen

Sanding and Finishing

The sanding and finishing techniques are the same as those described for the "Slim-Line" pen. Links will be provided when they are referenced.

Sand as was described for the other pens in the articles "The Slim-Line Pen - Sanding" and

"The Fat-Line Pen- Sanding and finishing"

Start with 120 or 150 grit paper. Then go 180 and 220 grits.

STOP. Sand with the grain after each grit to remove the circular sanding scratches.

Go to using the sanding strips for 280 and 320 grits. STOP, and sand with the grain after each grit.

Apply the Medium-CA glue wood filler as discussed in, "The Fat-Line Pen - Sanding and Finishing".

Continue sanding as described in the references

Finish the pen as described in the article, "The Slim-Line Pen - Finishing".

Be careful not to apply too much pressure against the small tip at the tail-center. These can be suprizingly strong, but they will break.

This photo is the finished pen

Use the skew (or a small parting tool) to separate the pen at the tail-center.

Support the end of the pen with the fingers when making this cut.

Wrap a piece of masking tape around the center joint to hold the two halves of the pen together.

Sand with 320, 400, and 600 grits.

Hold the pen on the mandrel with the finger pressure as shown.

Apply some finish on the end of the pen with the lathe running at a high speed. Use the pad to hold the pen on the mandrel.

Use very little of the finishing product. There is usually enough remaining on the same applicator to cover the small area of bare wood at the tip.

Use no more than one (1) drop of finish, and only  if necessary.

Remove the masking tape if it was used.

Remove the pen halves from the mandrel.

Wait at least One (1) hour to allow the finish to harden before handling

Lightly trim the ends of the pen barrels, using the pen-mill by hand.

Assemble the bottom half of the pen as shown in the article, "The Slim-Line Pen - Assembly".

Push the top over the twist mechanism. Twist the pen to extend the writing tip.

Continue twisting until the two halves of the pen are lined up with each other and the grain is continuous.

The writing tip on these pens will always remain entended.

Make a Stand for the pen. The one shown is from matching "Pacific Yew". The holder is from Craft Supplies, Catalog Number-050-4075. Be sure to also order the 31/64" drill bit, No. 075-0102.

Beware of the funnel type pen holders. It takes a very small diameter pen to fit into them, a smaller pen than most folks want to buy.

This is the end of the articles on "Making A Pen" (for now)

I hope this series of articles has been useful to the beginning penscrafter, and the "expert" may also have found something useful from seeing how somebody else does it. Recommend these articles to others if you think they can benefit from them.

I would appreciate any suggestions to improve the information or make these articles easier to read.  Contact me at  my E-mail addrss:  grusserry@aol.com

Use these Yellow Buttons to go to other Sections of "Making A Pen".

Return to the "Woodturning Stuff" for an index to other articles that I have written.

- The "Slim-Line" Pen

- Advanced Pencrafting

- The "Slim-Line" Pen

- Advanced Pencrafting