This last year in school I had been talking with one of my students about making pens and he had been working in Vo-Tech class (machine shop?) to make his own pen. He had a few barrels and caps and one good section, but was never able to get a whole finished pen. I wrote down instructions with step by step drawings, but it just didn’t happen. They didn’t have time and his instructor wasn’t sure how to help.
Towards the end of the year I told him that he should have his mom bring him by the house this summer so he could make a pen. I would order a bunch of brass and just walk him through the process. He’s the first person besides me to ever use my lathe! I was a little nervous, but that didn’t last long. He’s a smart kid, and very conscious of his safety. There were no lost fingers that day. What a relief.
We started out with a quick sketch and some measurements and went right to it. I had never made a brass pen so this would be a first for me, too.
Here he is working, and his pen.
Splendid job. Now imagine it octagonal aluminum.