Blank Preparation
1.
Cut the blanks about 1/8" longer than the Brass Tubes
to allow for “blow-out” or hole elongation. Maintain grain
orientation of the two blanks for turning by placing an “x”
on either side of the cut line.
2.
Drill the Upper Blank with an 1/2" drill bit. Drill the Lower
Blank with an 13/32" drill bit. For both blanks, drill at a speed
of 900 to 1200 RPM.
3.
Polish the Brass Tubes with 220 grit sandpaper to remove
oxidation and roughen the Tubes for better adhesion. This
can be done by hand or by chucking them in a drill press or
portable hand drill.
4.
Prepare to glue with medium CA (cyanoacrylate) glue or
two-part fast drying epoxy.
5.
Apply the glue to the outside of one Brass Tube with a liberal
amount around the end that is inserted first. Do not apply
glue to the inside of the blank, as this will cause the glue to
get inside the Brass Tube and ruin it.
6.
Insert the Brass Tube with a twisting motion into the blank
until the Tube is equidistant between both ends of the blank.
Wipe off any excess glue on the ends of the blank. Allow
the glue to dry. Glue the second Brass Tube using the
same method.
7.
Using a barrel trimmer, disk, or belt sander, trim the ends
of the blanks until you can just see the bright brass ends
of the Tubes. The faces of the ends must be perpendicular
to the Brass Tubes and parallel with each other. It is
imperative to match the length of the trimmed blanks to
the original length of the Brass Tubes and that the insides
of the Brass Tubes are clean and free of any glue.
Turning the Blanks
1.
Assemble the blanks on the mandrel with the bushings
placed as shown in the picture above. Keep the grain
orientation of the blanks in line when mounting. Each
bushing has a step that is designed to be inserted into
the Brass Tubes for stability while turning, as the inner
diameter of the tubes is larger than the mandrel.
2.
Tighten the tailstock and then tighten the mandrel nut that
holds the blanks. Do not over-tighten the tailstock or mandrel
nut as this may cause the mandrel to flex, causing the blanks
to go out of round.
3.
Turn the blanks to the desired shape, making sure that
the surfaces next to the bushings are turned to the same
diameter as the bushings.
4.
After turning, sand the surfaces in progressive steps of
220, 400, 600, and 1000 grit. If a higher finish is desired,
micromesh sandpaper may be used.
5.
Apply the finish of choice and polish.
6.
Remove the blanks from the mandrel, keeping the blank
orientation and grain patterns in line.
Gold Spirit Pen Preparation and Turning
45968
© Rockler Companies Inc. 2012
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information and videos or call 1-800-260-9663.
Upper Tube (short)
Nut
Spirit Bushing Set
Mandrel “A”
Lower Tube (long)
17 mm
14.5 mm
20 mm
