How to Apply A Perfect CA Finish to a Wood Pen.

This week’s video start a three part series on pen finishes. In this video I cover applying a CA finish to wood pens. Enjoy!
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Items in this video
Ack’s Abrasive Sanding Paste: ackswoodpaste.com
LAGUNA TOOLS 18|36 Revo Ultimate Lathe 110V: amzn.to/35ST92E
12|16 Expansion Set: amzn.to/2oY8ZZ7
Laguna Tools REVO1216-STD Premium Stand: amzn.to/33OmYj4
Robert Sorby # 765/16 5/8" Diameter x 3-1/2" Long Stem Post: amzn.to/2N1ckhR
Robert Sorby #767E 9 Inches Long x 3/4 Inch Diameter Tool Rest Crossbar: amzn.to/35JTfcG
Robert Sorby # 765/19 3/4" Diameter x 4-1/2" Long Stem Post: amzn.to/2p2EyRB
Robert Sorby 8007LH 1-1/2" Wide x 3/8" Finishing Scraper: amzn.to/2N1cC8r
TEKNATOOL SUPERNOVA 2 Chuck With 1" x 8tpi Insert, 2" Jaws & Woodworm screw (SUPERNOVA2): amzn.to/32t8Tap
12" 6040 NOVA COLE JAWS: amzn.to/33Onuh0
Star brite Premium Marine Polish: amzn.to/3bzmj9X
Pen Tools
PSI Woodworking PKMS2SET Pen Mandrel Saver Package #2MT: amzn.to/35qBKxo
PSI Woodworking PKMBCM2 Turn Between Centers Mandrel System #2MT: amzn.to/36Hp1qj
Insta-cure gap filling 2oz Bob Smith Ind.: amzn.to/2tJXEul
Insta-Cure Gap Filler + Insta-Set Accelerator Glue Set: amzn.to/2SuOrjC
2 inch by 2 inch Micro Mesh Soft Touch Sanding Pads: amzn.to/38HLjKH
Micro-Mesh 2" Assortment Pack - 18 Pieces: amzn.to/2Ewxn8x
Pen Barrel Mill Trimmer and Cleaner Set with 3/4 inch Cutting Head: amzn.to/34rPQxb
Exotic Wood Pen Blanks 9-Pack: amzn.to/38GPO8c
Turning stuff
Robert Sorby 843H 3/4” Spindle Roughing Gouge: amzn.to/2SL82Qx
Carter and Son NRS1-16 1" Negative Rake Scraper: amzn.to/2Q9trkm
Hurricane Turning Tools, Woodturning Round Nose Scraper: amzn.to/2QAHxu2
Easy Wood Tools Full Size Easy Finisher Replaceable Carbide Insert Cutter Lathe Wood Turning Tool Gouge Scraper with Maple Hardwood Easy Grip Handle: amzn.to/2tl135R
Easy Wood Tools COMBO= Mid-Size Easy Rougher+Finisher+Detailer. Items 2200+6300+7300. Wood-Turning: amzn.to/2tjYbGk
Easy Wood Tools Ci3 Round Negative Rake Carbide Cutter: amzn.to/2QyH0sB
Easy Wood Tools Ci2-R2 Square 2" Negative Rake Carbide Cutter: amzn.to/2QDTdfY
Some of my favorite tools I use all the time.
Ridgid R86044B 18-Volt Brushless Compact Router: amzn.to/2T7rw35
Powermatic 54A Deluxe 6-Inch Jointer: amzn.to/2XrVDDD
RIDGID R4512 10 in. 13-Amp Cast IronTable Saw: amzn.to/2EGfrJf
GRR-RIPPER 3D Pushblock : amzn.to/2EpRpkC
Camera equipment used in this video
PANASONIC LUMIX GH5 4K Digital Camera: amzn.to/2SFKgTN
PANASONIC LUMIX G VARIO LENS, 14-140MM, F3.5-5.6 ASPH: amzn.to/2K1dFnC
Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II ASPH OIS Lens: amzn.to/2LEbZDw
SmallRig GH5/GH5S Cage for Panasonic Lumix Camera: amzn.to/2YeMwTl
RigLand DSLR Wooden Handle Grip (Right Side): amzn.to/2LEhrGx
NICEYRIG Rosette Wooden Handle Grip (Left Side): amzn.to/32Pvu1m
E-Image EG03A2 2 Stage Aluminum Tripod (Black): amzn.to/2Yff0w5
Canon EOS 7D Mark II Digital SLR Camera (Body Only): amzn.to/2LDo0td
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Standard Zoom Lens: amzn.to/2SBsReO
Music By Bensound.com
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we will receive a small commission at no charge to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!

[@norm5785]

Wonderful thank you for sharing. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

Thank you for watching.

[@bluebow68]

Hi very helpful and well presented..Thank you! Greetings from the U.K.

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

thanks for watching Glass house.

[@daandutoit9705]

Thank you, Sir! Nice demo!

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

My pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@stevebell8805]

Thanks so much for the great information. Your techniques will be invaluable for my deer antler turning projects in the future!

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

Great, have fun with that and thanks for watching.

[@DansGrandValley]

Great tutorial. I’m just starting to turn pens and I am looking forward to using your finishing method. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

You're welcome, and welcome to the world of pen turning. Thanks for watching.

[@bradkilborn3332]

Excellent tutorial! I hadn’t been happy with my finishes and tried this today… The finish is PERFECT! Thank you!

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

You are very welcome.

[@annaredd2422]

great work, hope you bring that on Sunday, would love to see it up close and see those layers you're talking about

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

Had the pen and I forgot to show you.

[@Ronaldwilliams-je1os]

You gave me a lot of good information, thanks you

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

Glad it was helpful and thank you for watching.

[@hamishwatson2864]

Very useful video, thank you. I've just made my first pen, and it's looking good!

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

Excellent! I am glad it helped. Thanks for watching.

[@trichio]

Nice video, great looking pen!

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

Thanks Anthony, and Thanks for watching.

[@n7744096]

very good video. The wood is Leopard wood.

[@StephensPenTurnings]

I agree, though it could also be quarter sawn Mahogany. They look very similar

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

Cool, thank you. It is a nice looking wood.

[@daveandcindyamos5537]

Great video. I'm turning pens for the next Vetran honor flight. This will speed the process up. Thanks

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

I am glad it helped speed up the process. That is a good program to be involved in.

[@pjenslin1]

Great video! Thanks to you I am also using this technique on my pens now! Used to use only ca glue and HUT polish, now I added Yorkshire Grit Microfine in between (Ack's unfortunately not available in South Africa) and it's amazing what difference the microfine paste does!

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

I agree PhilipJ, the microfine paste removes all the scratches and gives a great looking finish. Thanks for watching.

[@danielnovak5070]

Leopardwood I believe

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

I believe you are correct Daniel, thanks for watching.

[@archerj2010]

Super-helpful video - haven't turned a pen in a decade, but i'm about to get back into it. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

I am glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching

[@aaronmoore6929]

When you wet sand the wood blanks, how do you keep the water from soaking into the ends of the finished wood? Very well done instructions, thanks.

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

The CA glue will form a tight seal around the bushings keeping the water out. Thanks Aaron and thanks for watching.

[@therealsparkman]

Great tutorial and step-by-step process on how to. That said, not all of us have a lathe with a speed control, so trying to follow your guidance will require changing the belt on the pulleys. Not really practical for this process. Can we just keep in at a low speed until it's time to sand at which time we can crank up the rpms? Cheers!

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

You absolutely can do that. You can even sand at slower speeds, it will just take a little longer.

[@avramw]

Excellent video, great quality, good content, good editing, good sound. You're a pro at this! Keep it up! I'm curious what kind of wood was that?

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

Thanks Ron, I wish I knew what kind of wood that is, it came in a pack of 12 assorted hardwood pen blanks. It is nice looking. If anyone knows what type of wood that is, please leave a comment below.

[@avramw]

@@MadNerdWorkshop I finished watching the video after I commented and then I heard you say that. That's what I get for commenting too fast :)

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

@@avramw That is no problem at all, all comments are good.

[@rileywalker5979]

@@MadNerdWorkshopThank you for the video. It looks like leopardwood; I've made two leopardwood pens and the wood looked like this. Hope this helps.

[@jackharper4098]

What was the name of the boat polish. Great video thank you

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

Thanks Jack. The one I used in the video is called Driven and I purchased it at a boat show. However, I found another one that is just as good, and about half the price, you can find it here: Star brite Premium Marine Polish: amzn.to/3bzmj9X​ Thanks for watching

[@konstantinrudloff9465]

Great Video! But i have one question: How do you remove the finished peices from your mandrel? Didn´t they stick to the bushings? I ask because i want to try out that type of finish myself, and here in germany, we can hardly get any non-sticking bushings. Have a nice day :)

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

They stick a little, but quickly separate. I have the non-stick bushings and I never use them. The CA builds up under the ends and requires a good amount of sanding to get them smooth. I just use the metal bushings.

[@user-rq5mr4uy3v]

what grit do you start at to start sanding the ca

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

most of the time 150. on some projects 125.

[@markmayo9737]

I’m just starting turning pens and struggling. You made it look too easy.

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

I guarantee Mark, you will get the hang of it. Have fun turning.

[@stevebbdotcom]

Absolutely loved this video - following your advice which was brilliantly presented and so easy to follow, I have made my first pen using CA. It was made from gnarly elm and I used gold leaf to fill the pores of the wood. Delighted at the result but it was your instruction that made it possible :)

[@MadNerdWorkshop]

That is Wonderful! I am glad it helped. Thanks for watching.