Greg DeWolf (photo by Michelle Kouri)
Michelle Kouri
Have you ever wondered how those beautiful and fancy double-barrel ballpoint pens or mechanical pencils are created? Member Greg DeWolf gave a presentation at the Dec. 2 Woodworkers Club monthly meeting to showcase the pens he has made and then explained the process.
The basics are first drilling a precise hole through your pen stock that is mounted on a wood lathe, and then placing the drilled pen stock on a mandrel to turn the “barrels.” It is critical that the diameter of each barrel fits the pen kit. Once you are satisfied with the barrels you turned, they may need sanding and a finish of your choice. The barrels are then placed with a connecting part of the pen kit in an “assembly/disassembly pen press,” which is a device that essentially squeezes and joins the barrels together. Greg then added the mechanics of the pen kit. He also displayed his pen press used for assembling the pens and then demonstrated how it works. Though not required for pen making, it certainly eases the process.
There are numerous woods from which to choose, as well as acrylic blanks that can be used in pen making. Perhaps the hardest part of this project is deciding on a material and what pen kit to buy. Kits can range from $4 to $40, depending on the design. Choices can be basic pens or Fire Fighter, Pet, Motorcycle, Football, Rifle, Southwest, to name just a few. But the end result is always satisfying, not only for the artist, but for that special person who is lucky enough to receive it as a gift.
Pen making is often referred to as a good starting point for new turners. It develops precision skills, takes less time to make than a bowl, etc., and uses much less material.
Greg’s presentation is an example of our expanding Woodworkers Club and what its members have to offer. We continue to encourage neighbors to join us in our monthly gab sessions in which we share ideas and techniques we have learned. The club also accepts requests from SaddleBrooke neighbors for simple repairs to prized wooden items. Material costs for repairs are appreciated, and donations to the club are always welcome.
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month at 2 p.m. in the MountainView Complex Saguaro Room. Please check out our “under-construction” website at sbwoodworkers.org for more details, information, and interesting articles relative to woodworking. New posts will be ongoing.