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I have some curly cherry left over from a Blanket chest build and I want to cut it up for pen blanks. It is planned to 3/4" so I'm assuming that I would create 3/4 by 3/4 blanks, but how long should I make them?
I don't know what types of pens I'd make, or might end up with some many blanks that I'd sell some.
So 3/4 by 3/4 and 6 inches long, does that sound correct?
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Yeah, 6" is plenty long for pen blanks.
Make sure to cut with the grain lengthwise.
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Cross grain and cut on a bias can be interesting. Strength isn't an issue with a pen.
Twinn
Will post for food.
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theeviltwinn said:
Cross grain and cut on a bias can be interesting. Strength isn't an issue with a pen.
Twinn
It is when you're turning it.
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If 6" is too long I can cut them any length, just need flexibility.
Some of my scrap pieces are 40" long so I'll get multiple blanks from one cut-off.
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Send them to me for proper disposal.
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Herb G said:
[blockquote]theeviltwinn said:
Cross grain and cut on a bias can be interesting. Strength isn't an issue with a pen.
Twinn
It is when you're turning it.
[/blockquote]
Sharp tools, light touch and good to go.
Usually more interesting figure too.
Gary
Please don’t quote the trolls.
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Herb
Twin is right.
If it is cut from 15* to 30* it shows the figure a lot better. We have never used Cherry before so I am looking forward to seeing how they look when you post a pen.
Arlin
As of this time I am not teaching vets to turn. Also please do not send any items to me without prior notification. Thank You Everyone.
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been a long time since I've done pens. But, a couple of my favorites were crosscut cocobolo and bias cut zebrawood.
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I stand corrected. But strength it still a factor, at least to me.
I've split, cracked, and blown out more pen blanks than the law allows.
