http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/
First thing I want to say is I am TERRIBLE at writing and even worse at explaining things so keep that in mind as you read this.

Comments are always appreciated.

If you make one I would love to see it. Pleae post a link to it so myself and others can check it out. To post a link to it click on the "Add Comments" link on the left side of this page.

Thanks and Happy Turnings,
Shane Whitlock

Click on the thumbnails for a larger image and a description. (Please note there are 2 pages)

Here is a link to a PDF containing all the steps below. It was cleaned up some by Harry A. Elliott III so it's a little easier to understand.

Casting Feather Blanks PDF]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 21:43:18 -0700 120 http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/d/452-11/feather_tut.jpg http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/ http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0564iap.jpg.html http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0564iap.jpg.html
Voted Pen of the Year by IAP members.

This tutorial will give ya a basic idea of how I made the pen.

Good luck,
Shane]]> Shane Whitlock photo Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:18:12 -0700 http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0484.jpg.html http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0484.jpg.html
To give it a little contrast lets tie on some white feathers. Same process as before but ya just tie off the one end.]]> Shane Whitlock photo Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:37:13 -0600 http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0475.jpg.html http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0475.jpg.html
The feathers I am going to use are dyed Grizzly Hackle.

Pick out the ones you want to use.]]> Shane Whitlock photo Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:40:33 -0600 http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0528.jpg.html http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0528.jpg.html
All done!

Well its not my prettiest pen I have made, infact its probably one of my ugliest ... lol, but it gives ya a good idea of how to make your own.

If you do make one I would love to see it. Just post a link by clicking on the Comments link so me and others can see it.

Thanks and Happy Turnings,
Shane Whitlock]]> Shane Whitlock photo Sun, 16 Sep 2007 21:14:27 -0600 http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0527.jpg.html http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0527.jpg.html
These kits are the easiest kits to put together, just one fitting to press together. I use an old drill press that I modified into a pen press. ]]> Shane Whitlock photo Sun, 16 Sep 2007 19:21:51 -0600 http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0525.jpg.html http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0525.jpg.html
To polish the blank I use White Diamond and then hit it with a dry buffing wheel. Gives it a glass like finish.]]> Shane Whitlock photo Sun, 16 Sep 2007 21:13:14 -0600 http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0522.jpg.html http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0522.jpg.html
Before assembling I clean up the ends to make sure they are good and square. To do this I mount a punch in the drill press and slip the blank over it and rotate it between my fingers over a piece of 600 grit paper.]]> Shane Whitlock photo Sun, 16 Sep 2007 19:21:51 -0600 http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0521.jpg.html http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0521.jpg.html
All sanded and ready to assemble.]]> Shane Whitlock photo Sun, 16 Sep 2007 19:16:46 -0600 http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0520.jpg.html http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0520.jpg.html
I start sanding with 320 grit paper and end with 12000 Micromesh.

No finish is necessary unless ya get some pokies from the feathers sticking through the sides. If ya do, just add a CA finish to seal it up]]> Shane Whitlock photo Sun, 16 Sep 2007 19:12:29 -0600 http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0518.jpg.html http://shanewhitlock.com/photo/v/wood/pens/feather_tut/IMG_0518.jpg.html
All turned and ready for sanding.I turn as close to the final shape and as close to the bushings as I can. The less time spent sanding the better.

You can see how clean the cut I am using leaves the blank. I have not sanded this at all yet.]]> Shane Whitlock photo Sun, 16 Sep 2007 21:11:41 -0600