How to Make a Simple Segmented Blank

This is a super simple and incredible looking blank that anyone can make. You'll love the look of your finished pen.
Regards,
Bob
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[@derekdodson5623]

Love the idea. Thanks!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Derek. Regards, Bob

[@dmj802000]

Very good looking pens!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Donovan Jaramillo Thank you Donovan. Regards, Bob

[@sjbl1962]

Nice looking blanks Bob.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Scott L Thank you Scott. Regards, Bob

[@billkirby1458]

I like them going have try and make some

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Bill Kirby They are super simple and look amazing. Your love the result. Regards, Bob

[@md.moinulislam9467]

MASHAALLAH khub valo video......

[@RJBWoodTurner]

😃

[@joescustomcreations350]

Very nice

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you.

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

I love the contrast in blanks like this, beautiful.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+The ShavingWood Workshop Thank you, My photo stinks due to lighting, they are way more striking in person. Regards, Bob

[@TheShavingWoodWorkshop]

They usually are, pictures seldom do justice to things :-)

[@WoodenItBeNice]

Hi Bob, Thanks for sending the link for this video. As soon as I saw you tape two blanks together I knew what you were doing. I have made lots of these blanks and you are totally right very simple but so effective. I also had to put the blanks into a vice for the gluing as I couldn't get enough pressure from normal clamps. Thanks again Bob and take care. Cheers, Huw

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Huw. Regards, Bob

[@raffyoli]

nice!! 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Raffy Punzal Thank you Raffy. Regards, Bob

[@stephenrector1328]

That is just absolutely gorgeous! Great work!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Steve Paul Thank you Steve. Regards, Bob

[@mikekubeck9139]

Being retired, time is what I usually have plenty of! Will give use your epoxy tip when I make this coke can blank again!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Mike Kubeck Please let me know how it goes for you. Regards, Bob

[@Mauroiltornitore]

Very ingenious, Bob, great work! Thanks for sharing, cheers. Mauro

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Mauro il tornitore Thank you Mauro, I only wish it was my original idea. I absolutely love the look of these pens. Regards, Bob

[@jaybird8621]

As always, another great video by Bob. Probably the most educational lathe videos I watch are from him - easy to understand and uses stuff that is readily available while explaining in detail. Oh and will definitely answer questions!! (I have plenty). I am going to hop to with these blanks - got some purpleheart, padauk, walnut, and maple ready to go for it.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Jay. Regards, Bob

[@ericmilligan3]

Very nice Bob, they look great. I love to segment, to try all kinds of combinations of wood, metal and plastic, and now, denim and leather, so little time.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Eric Milligan Thank you Eric, I know what you mean, I have tons of ideas and inspiration. I just don't have the time to make them a reality. Bob

[@delanorrosey4730]

Although not an exact science and segmented pens create a distinctive look, if a symmetrical look is desired, easiest remedy would be to make a template out of card stock, trim with scissors, trace on the blanks, and cut as outlined. Also, it might be better to use smaller drill bits first to reduce chances of chip out or the blanks breaking apart. (Drill and Fill Method).

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Delanor, Regards, Bob

[@benjamincorderman794]

Bob, what a great idea! I've always enjoyed your videos and this idea of is really wonderful and one I will certainly be trying out!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Benjamin Corderman Thank you Benjamin, I like it because it's so simple and easy to make. The grains and colors are amazing. Regards, Bob

[@ritaadams8379]

I have a lamp that my dad made like this.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Rita Adams Very cool, I always tell people, most of what I do can up sized to tool handles, vases, and just about anything else. Regards, Bob

[@johnbittner8964]

Very nice Bob!! I'm gonna have to try that!!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+John Bittner Thank you John, These blanks are a breeze to make and the combinations are unlimited. I love making them. Regards, Bob

[@johnpierce1720]

I have done similar blanks but I used the scroll saw to cut the stacked blanks, you can get very tight turns and even angles in your cut. If you cut a zig zag pattern it will leave almost a diamond design when turned. Keep up the good work Bob! Always enjoy you videos.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+John Pierce Thank you John, I thought about using my scroll saw, I was worried about blade drift with such a thick piece. What blade do you use? And was drift an issue? Regards, Bob

[@johnpierce1720]

+RJBWoodTurner I do not remember what blade I used, drift wasn't a big issue as long as you watched to not put too much side pressure on the blade.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+John Pierce Thanks John, Ill give it a try, you know how much I love my scroll saw. Regards, Bob

[@rgoodleaf]

Good looking blanks Bob!! Rich

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+rgoodleaf Thank you Rich. Regards, Bob

[@joescustomcreations350]

Ivey nice Bob, great idea👍👍

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Joe M Tgank you Joe. Regards, Bob

[@glenmckelvey5952]

Nice job . Cool looking effect.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+glen mckelvey Thank you Glen. Regards, Bob

[@user-ox4jf8ri8s]

Very cool. Thanks so much to your video.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Сергей Московец Thank you Regards, Bob

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Сергей Московец Thank you Regards, Bob

[@snooker1945]

Hi Bob,Great prodject

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you.

[@ricksuray]

I like your smock. Where’d’ya get it?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Craft Supply. Thank you

[@DesertBumWoodWorkn]

That's Cool Bob, keep up the great work.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+DesertBum WoodWork'n Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@mikekubeck9139]

Your are a font of ideas! I tried your strips of coke can lamination in an ebony pen blank. Worked on that blank cutting and gluing a coke can strip into each of the four sides. When I was ready to drill this blank, it came apart on me! After retracing my process (and after again watching your coke can lamination video) I found out I missed one of your steps (that being to scuff up the metal before gluing) and thats why my blank came apart! Also I learned that when you cut a pen blank on all four sides to insert the soda can metal, you lose width, from saw kerf, in the finished product!Thanks again for sharing your ideas with us!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Mike Kubeck thank you Mike, If you have the time to wait for it to dry, Epoxy works way better than C/A. Regards, Bob

[@Texascarnivore]

These are beautiful. I like the ones (from another video) you made that look like bricks. You are so talented.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Joseph Chase Thank you Joseph, These are a breeze to make, I was pleasantly surprised. Regards, Bob

[@joelnickerson6739]

Cool Pens Bob. I guess you just let your imagination run wild when building blanks. Works for me.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you, I try, sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t, LOL. Regards, Bob

[@christianjensen9216]

Very nice. I watched another video where he used an aluminum pop can. I think I like the veneer idea better.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Christian Jensen The veneer is nice because it can compress to fill gaps. I get much better fits between my segments when I use it. Regards, Bob

[@Hoosierchef70]

Wonderful job, Bob ~Scott

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Hoosierchef70 Thank you Scott. Regards, Bob

[@KennethSievers]

Good project!!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Kenneth Sievers Thank you Kenneth. Regards, Bob

[@wildbill23c]

Looked like you had someone hiding up in your new loft LOL.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+William Todd (williamtodd) Good eye William, My daughter was sitting up there. She's been putting away all my turning blanks. Regards, Bob

[@wildbill23c]

RJBWoodTurner What are you going to do when she grows up and can't fit up there like that anymore LOL.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+William Todd (williamtodd) Retire from turning and sell my lathe. :^)

[@wildbill23c]

RJBWoodTurner Great plan. I need to get out in the shop and do something but its been hot and its far from comfortable working in the heat.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+William Todd (williamtodd) I understand. The heat wears me out. Regards, Bob

[@snooker1945]

Hi Bob, Great Project, I’m still catching up on your videos, this is one ☝️ I will be trying, and you definitely need to put some new bandsaw blades on your Christmas list LOL. 😆Regards from Jolly Roger ☠️

[@RJBWoodTurner]

LOL, I now have a new band saw on my Christmas list as that one broke and isn’t worth fixing. Regards, Bob

[@delanorrosey4730]

Have you ever tried Thompson's Waterseal or veneer or lacquer rather than CA to seal pen blanks? If so, how'd it turn out? Thanks!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Hello Delanor, I haven’t tried either. I would be I retested in kowing the answer to your questions if you ever give them a try. Regards, Bob

[@markpalmer2562]

Another excellent video Bob. I've been watching your videos for about two months now and you've inspired me to try pen turning myself. I'd like to give a suggestion. I appreciate you fast forwarding slow processes like the cutting on the bandsaw, but one extra touch I've seen in other videos is some visual indicator when the film is in fast forward. It isn't a requirement, but done right and unobtrusive it can be a nice touch.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Mark Palmer Thank you Mark, I use to put 2X on there but I didn't know how important it was to people. I was afraid it would draw their attention away from what's happening. Regards, Bob

[@marcycooper6930]

oh I wonder if the coke can would work with the four woods. that would be more "clingy" or four real dark burly woods with one real light vinegar running through it or vice versa light with dark running thru. those were really cool though. you could get the clip camera it would hook on the arm of your glasses so we're you look so does the camera. just remember to take it off when you go in the house 😉

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Marcy Cooper I'll bet the Coke can would work well too. I need to build a camera mount and invest in a couple personal camera mounts. Regards, Bob

[@delanorrosey4730]

My local hardware store has hardwood 5/8" x 48" round wooden dowels for $3.60. PSI Funline 50 Grab Bag Acrylic blanks go for about $1 apiece, has limited selection in desired colors, and requires a lot of turning on a lathe. Have you tried to make a pen blank from them for cheaper than buying square wooden blanks? Have you tried staining the wood with different stains (Cherry Blossom, Black Walnut, etc) and maybe segmenting those too? (Or would you recommend using them as a cheap practice alternative? Any mistakes and it is a waste, the wood only cost 90 cents per foot.) Since the Slimline pens are 9/16" in diameter and 5/8" converted is 10/16", all that would be needed is removal of 1/16" material/sand down the dowel as needed. Thanks!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

They will work for pen blanks but are not always the best quality of wood. It pick up a couple for practice and to see how they turn out. I’ve tried stains but had issues with coverage when the wood is sanded. I sanded to 20,000. You should experiment and see what you get.

[@delanorrosey4730]

@@RJBWoodTurner I've found out that poplar wood doesn't accept stains well. Oak does look better with various stains, some stains better than others. But overall with stains, it's preferential to sand between 80-150 grit sandpaper. Anything beyond that, you're essentially polishing the wood and closing the pores.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

@@delanorrosey4730 Thank you for the information. 😃

[@ms0099rg]

Sweet!!!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Matt Sosnowski Thank you Matt. Regards, Bob

[@LynnLaceyLLWW]

Thanks Bob - I'll put this on my to do list. I was afraid you would see my spy over your left shoulder. :)

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Lynn Lacey I was hoping to get this video out earlier to help with ideas for the pen swap your doing. My timing stinks. Regards, Bob

[@turnersparadise8368]

Very nice, Bob. Not that it mattered with this style of segmenting but it seems to me one of the greatest challenges is drilling the tube hole straight. You are right, the bit wanders in different types of wood, I even see this drilling on the lathe. It can be frustrating. On many types of segmenting it is critical that the hole is perfectly centred. Once our move is done and I am set up again I am going to concentrate on this problem, I wonder if anyone has any advice.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Tenspeed TheBikeHanger On the remaining two blanks, I'll pre-drill with a 1/8" bit. It will be stiffer and track better. The 7mm bit will follow the hole. I've used that trick many times before on tricky blanks and it's worked well. I didn't think of it here because I was so excited just to be making a pen, it's been a while. Regards, Bob

[@turnersparadise8368]

RJBWoodTurner Sounds like a great tip! I know what you mean, I packed my lathe away last week and we move on the 20th. It will probably be August before I am set up and turning again. I am already in withdrawal. :-)

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Tenspeed TheBikeHanger I feel your pain, My lathe was always right there, it was just covered in junk. Good luck with the move and I hope you get a great shop out of it. Regards, Bob

[@mprice7676]

Love em! However, I think they'd look really really cool with coke cans inbetween the woods rather than the veneer! Plus, it would make it go well with the silver Pen State kits.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Mark Price Your the second person to say that. I may just have to give it a try and see how it goes. Regards, Bob

[@mprice7676]

+RJBWoodTurner I really like your aluminum sheeting work!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Mark Price Thank you Mike, I'm sure I'll try it and if I do, post a video. Regards, Bob

[@David5H]

Do you think a scroll saw would work better for cutting the blanks?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+DavidHWoodworks It would from the point of tighter curves. I was worried the two blanks at 1 1/2" would be to thick and I'd get blade drift on the bottom blank meaning they wouldn't line up. I'll try it on the scroll saw if I can find a stiff blade. I have a thinner blade for my band saw, it just wouldn't track. Regards, Bob

[@David5H]

+RJBWoodTurner I see. I'm hoping to get a scroll saw here in the next month or so. I have a lot of learning to do about scroll saws.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+DavidHWoodworks They are amazing tools, I love mine. And there is so much you can do with them to enhance your turnings. Regards, Bob

[@chootrain57]

who is in your loft?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+lionel wainford Hello Lionel, My daughter was up there sorting blanks for me. Regards, Bob

[@chartle1]

With all this segmenting you have been doing any though of using Titebond II for dark wood? I'm going to assume that there are some slightly wider glue joints and the darker glue wouldn't stick out so much. Think I'll pick some up today if Walmart or Home Depot has some, don't want to make a trip to Rockler. I don't leave there under $30 and with more pen blanks that I don't need. :)

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Cliff Hartle Cliff, Titebond II is my favorite, I was just out and had the Gorilla wood glue so I used that. The seams didn't show. Regards, Bob

[@chartle1]

+RJBWoodTurner but have you tried the glue for dark wood

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Cliff Hartle No, not yet. How do you Like it? It might look cool with the dark glue seams in light wood. Regards, Bob

[@chartle1]

RJBWoodTurner I forgot to pick some up. I'm right now getting back to working on the herringbone blanks I started a month ago. My issue has always been drilling blanks straight. If you don't drill these right everything is going to be off. I drilled one yesterday and despite me being super careful I was way off coming out the other end. Last night I finally ordered the pen blank drilling jaws for my chuck I've been wanting for months.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Cliff Hartle One trick I use it to pre drill with a smaller bit, say 1/8". The larger bit will follow the hole and allow me to drill straighter. Regards, Bob

[@steveandbrendaball7859]

Great video.....do you think it would work just as well without the veneer?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Steve and Brenda Ball I think it would as long at you can get the pieces pressed together tightly. The veneer fills the kerf and will compress a bit to fill small gaps. Regards, Bob

[@brucerussen7271]

Other than adding a bit of color is there any other purpose for the veneer?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Is compresses into any rough cut areas of the blank filling voids. Regards, Bob

[@nickn3ro06]

I wonder how your soda can Technique would work to replace the veneer

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Nick “NickN3ro” Masseria I may have to give it a try and find out. Regards, Bob

[@nickn3ro06]

Well I may soon be doing KZbin videos as well following your tutorials and giving my own flavor

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Nick “NickN3ro” Masseria That sounds great! When you do, send me your channel info and I'll sub. Regards, Bob

[@marcycooper6930]

*clingy should say "BLINGY" Dang autocorrect

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Marcy Cooper LOL, I knew what you meant, dang spell check gets me all the time. Regards, Bob

[@marcycooper6930]

grrrr vinegar should be veneer me and autocorrect are going to have to talk

[@RJBWoodTurner]

+Marcy Cooper LOL!