Latest Pen Batch

[@DanielVilarino]

Hi Brendan! That's a really nice collection you have there! Congratulations! Cheers! Daniel

[@baconsoda]

Thanks Daniel, I have a little update to do to fix the lies I told about one of the species of wood. I don't want to confuse the woodworking world. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@MikeWaldt]

A superb collection of pens Brendan, and they bare testament to your turning skills, and show that anything short of perfection is not tolerated. Take care Mike

[@baconsoda]

Thank you Mike. I always turn the good side to the camera but that's just between ourselves. All ready for Saturday? Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@MikeWaldt]

baconsoda I assume you mean the Rugby, not the National Chive growing contest! ;)

[@baconsoda]

Mike Waldt Oh yes, the rugby. I'll be wearing my hat.

[@MikeWaldt]

baconsoda Lol......I'll tell Muriel, she be well chuffed :)....nearly as chuffed as me when we win!!!!!!

[@baconsoda]

Mike Waldt So you're starting to wind things up already? I'm going to tell Alan.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Some really Beautiful pens Brendan, I hope to be finished with my home improvement projects soon so I can get back into my shop. I've only turned two pens in the last five weeks. This is killing me. Regards, Bob

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thanks Bob, I hope you kept all your little scraps from the home improvement because each is a special little gem just waiting for it's potential to be released. Well, that's how I justify my hoarding to my wife but she still thinks I'm nuts. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@hawkwind23]

Beautiful pens Brendan ! Thanks for sharing All the best Bram.

[@baconsoda]

Thank you Bram. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@MARKBaid]

Those are incredible Brendan. I've been cutting up all this wood I have into blanks and such. I now know what I will do with all the small piece that Jamie keeps telling me to throw out because I have too much wood. Too much wood really! I don't think there is such a thing! Thanks Mark

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thanks Mark. Too much wood? What a strange concept. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@BlindWoodTurner]

Hi Brendan !! That was a very interesting insight into your current batch of pens.Good luck in the competition !! Cheers. Chris.

[@baconsoda]

Thanks Chris, I might be able to get a video out of the build. We'll see how much of a panic I'm in. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@shankill178]

A beautiful set of pens there. Great stuff.

[@lifeinthailand]

These pens are beautiful, You do very good work my friend.

[@baconsoda]

Thank you very much. Working at the pens keeps me off the streets and out of trouble. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@TinkerJohn_W5CYF]

Excellent work and some good tips for squaring blanks. I'll have to try that next time. ~John

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thanks John, I don't mind creating seemingly unnecessary processes to get the result I want because I like sequencing and order in my work and the self-discipline to achieve an end despite boring elements (no pun intended). Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@HarryWatts65]

Beautiful pens Brendan, really like them, Cheers Harry

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thank you Harry. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@michaelflynn6178]

Very Nice Brendan you have it down to a fine Art

[@baconsoda]

Thanks Michael, I'll email you about calling up. A friend's brother died so that has changed plans a bit but I'll know better tomorrow when I hear the time of the funeral. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@JWW922]

Very nice gaggle of pens Brendan. I always got great satisfaction from turning pens. I was expecting you to open up a compartment where you kept the ducks but I guess that will be another time.

[@baconsoda]

Thank you, I'm sorry about the ducks but they got pushed to the back of the queue due to 3 other developments, all good, that temporarily took precedence. I need to make ducks for Saturday, so, after the mirror gets done, I'll do some ducks and video it. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@OverGrowTheUk]

Those pens look very professional Brendan you are very talented indeed. all the best

[@baconsoda]

Thank you very much. Pens are a bit of a complication to make but are very rewarding to see finished. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@oaksho]

Beautiful collection of pens Brendan and your workmanship looks impeccable. I really like Elm burr, you should try some danish oil on a scrap piece it looks amazing. All the best Tony

[@baconsoda]

Thanks Tony. I have never used Danish oil but, recently, I've been using orange oil and I love the effect it has on wood. I'll be in a supply shop on Saturday so I'll get some then. Thanks for the advice. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@MarkGarth]

Now that's a nice collection of pens, great work :-)

[@kbbacon]

Very beautiful work! EDC, now that's a whole nother can of worms!

[@baconsoda]

LOL, thanks Kevin, I might have to make an EDC pen video and include 'guns' and 'knives' in the prompt words. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@kbbacon]

I can send you pictures of my collection, if you want background for your video.

[@elysejoseph]

Oh Brendan, such beautiful workmanship! Take care my friend, Elyse.

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thanks Elyse, I was happy enough to only have 2 failures. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@elysejoseph]

I wouldn't see them as failures, we all have cracks, that what makes us unique!

[@gordonmillar998]

Great set of excellent looking pens, Brendan. Interesting that Ebony is hard to turn! I'm about to turn some for a foot of a bowl and later, the rim. I presume I need a sharp sharp chisel, to start with, and high speed.

[@baconsoda]

Thanks Gordon. I found that if I lost the bevel the chisel skidded along the wood and left a pressure mark. It is a bit like turning dense plastic or acrylic and you need to keep your cutting edge in contact, on the bevel, to get a good cut. When you get it right it is beautiful but I kept losing the bevel. I don't think it would scrape well but I didn't try. Make sure all the scratches are out before moving on to the next grade of sandpaper because you'll be sanding for eternity if you don't. Maybe I made ebony sound terrible, it isn't, but just needs close attention. Treat it like acrylic and you'll be grand. I really enjoyed tonight even though I busted my turning budget...again! Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@gordonmillar998]

baconsoda Thanks for that, Brendan. Yes Eric would be great to learn from. Budget! sure, you're worth it :-))

[@dannyscoot73]

Really lovely pens, you should set up a shop Brendan

[@festadams9896]

Absolutely stunning Brendon, just subbed to your channel.

[@baconsoda]

Thanks Fest, I appreciate that very much. this channel and 'baconsoda' have been quiet this last year or so because I was dealing with illness and family stuff but I am hoping to get going in winter again. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@festadams9896]

I look forward to more of your content Brendon.

[@broadsideguy967]

Fantastic pens sir, I'm hoping that you will be able to put up a video of the mirror. Good luck . Cheers

[@baconsoda]

Thank you. I'll try to do a video about the mirror but I'm worried I won't get it made. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@tonybanner7599]

Great video. I had a thought about the guild you work with turning things for the children. How about turning some pens for the Nurses for their dedication. Dr's can afford their own pens but I think the Nurses would appreciate the gift.

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thank you. I must mention that to the secretary on Saturday. I made pens for nurses and doctors who looked after my wife when she became very seriously ill a couple of years ago. On the night before my wife got home I brought 18 pens with me and asked was that enough because I could make a few more for the morning if needed. A nurse checked the rota and came back to me saying "You will need another 16 pens if you want everyone to have one". I wasn't expecting that. It was a long night. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@m7362z]

Good job! By the way I like your accents, it's very relaxing.

[@baconsoda]

Thank you.

[@tropifiori]

Lovely Brendan

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thank you Frank.

[@alansimpson596]

Hello Brendan, What a superb collection of pens. I mentioned to you recently that I began woodturning by making pens and I've got the urge to get back to it so-much-so that I've bought a new mandrel and new kits. Burrs of any sort will always be my favourite but I think sometimes you have to be a "woodhead" like me to appreciate them. I suspect you have made so many pens to support a charity. You are well regarded as "the man with the golden heart". With regards to the mirror competition I'm now well advanced and am working on the possibility of my acceptance speech. I think I'll keep it short like Eddie Redmayne when he recently won his Oscar. "I'm so lucky" err "talented". What wood are using for the framework of your mirror??? With kindest regards to a great gentleman, Alan.

[@baconsoda]

Hi Alan, thank you for those kind words. Eric Turner was very god tonight. He turned a goblet and plate from Red Pine and made it look beautiful. I'm not sure which wood t use. I've got Padauk and Ropala (Lacwood) so it will be one of those. I like Padauk and know how it looks finished so it is most likely to be chosen but I might make 2 mirrors and let Rosemary decide..she's Quality Control Manager. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@rockyourheartandsoul]

Id love one man! I'm sure sending over seas would be a nightmare but anyway they're super cool!

[@baconsoda]

+rockyourheartandsoul Thank you for this kind compliment. If you would like a pen I can ship one to you. I don't have a lot of pens right now because they are all away to the shop but I'm about to start making more so if you would like to buy one (I'll go easy on you) and can wait until after Christmas I'll have a couple of boxes of both the Slimline and heavier, Baron, pens. I am fortunate that I don't need to do this for a living so I'm really just trying to help the hobby pay for itself. I wil post a video on this channel when the pens are done. I have recently found a new supplier for acrylic blanks so there will be new designs there and I've also got new exotic wood blanks from another supplier. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@tblbaby]

Yes, I am about that color, how did you know? Holy sweet poo those pens are nice! and some exquisitely beautiful. Very nice work. If I was around there I'd be beggin that cracked pen off ya for a discount :) because it's still very nice.

[@baconsoda]

Thank you. If you are willing to send me your address I'll post it to you for nothing because it's just going to lie in a drawer until it's thrown out. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@tblbaby]

Hail yes, that's great :) I didn't expect that, but I can't say no to some great BMac work. I just hope I can figure out how to do a message in this Google You Tube disastrophy O_O

[@tblbaby]

BMac Woodturning Thanks :) that saved a good amount of hair from being pulled out of my head, trying to figure the message stuff out lol

[@tblbaby]

baconsoda Thank You for the pen Brendan. Excellent craftsmanship, a thing of real beauty. I really enjoy it. You are also now my most favorite package packing person :)

[@baconsoda]

tblbaby LOL, you are very welcome.

[@PENFOLD1962]

"Just a box of pens", If I can get to half your standard I will be chuffed to bits! That's the only thing that I'm dreading! Everything I make I get mugged for by either Mandy my wife, my kids or our friends and even the neighbours will ask! And me being me don't charge any of them a penny, just to see their smile when they see the end product is enough payment.... I know... I know I should charge em but I just can't bring myself to ask for money! So if I can make pens like yours I better hide them eh lol, but how can I sell em if they are hidden? I better start buying cases like yours to protect em against Muggers! Really enjoyed your video thanks for sharing, take care. Cheers Andy

[@baconsoda]

+PENFOLD CARPER Thank you, I don't sell to family or friends either, like you, I can't ask for money so that's why I hand the stuff to the shop owner and let her do the dealing. Most of what I make is given away (much to the annoyance of the shop lady) but, as you said, the joy people get is priceless. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@johncornell13]

A great set of pens Brendan, superb turning work as always. I am only a fairly new turner in Australia, you and Mike and a few others are the people I use for inspiration, also my own ideas. Are those roller ball kits available worldwide do you know? Look forward to some more of your videos, and I hope to be posting soon, under the title Bomber and Johnnies Den. thank you Johnnie

[@baconsoda]

baconsoda Hi Johnnie, I forgot to change ID again.

[@johncornell13]

baconsoda Thanks for that Brendan, sorry for the delay in getting back to you, but we were right in the throat of the bad weather the east coast of Australia had last week, we copped the full force of a cat 2 cyclone last Tuesday, and whilst we got power back on Friday, theres still parts of the area with no power, phones etc.

[@baconsoda]

John Cornell No problem, so long as you are all ok is all that matters.

[@travismeccariello]

Beautiful pens. I have been getting my kits from penn state industries but some of the finishes have worn off after a year of use. Where do you purchase your trivalent chrome kits? Thanks!

[@baconsoda]

+Travis Meccariello Thank you. I get all my kits from Timberbits in Australia and, in 7 or 8 years, I've never had a pen come back because of wear. I had one that had a broken thread but that was because someone pulled it open instead of screwing it open. You can pick Taiwanese or Chinese kits. I go for Taiwanese in the high end kits but the Chinese Slimline kits I get are fine and don't lose plating. I keep an eye on friends' and family pens I made years ago to see how they hold up and all are fine. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

+baconsoda Oops, wrong ID again.

[@mooseberrycreations1408]

Beautiful!!! What are the heavier pen kits? Take care, Rik

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thank you. The larger kits are Baron2 and Sedona but they are kinda generic and you can find very similar from most turning supply stores. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@Pete.G]

I've been collecting wood for pen blanks a couple years now. Should get off my bum and get to making. Got a ways to go before I catch up to you :)

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thank you. Get a load of cheap Slimlines and get stuck in. You will quickly be able to size blanks with your fingers after a while but make different thicknesses to experiment with the feel you like. Then give them to friends and ask them to use them and let you know what the liked and didn't like (that's the really important bit, make sure they know you aren't fishing for ''Attaboy"s because praise doesn't teach as much as criticism). Regard the batch as a loss before you start and then every successful completion will be a bonus. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@SachiWI]

Is that Ebony wood like Ipe?

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

I've never turned Ipe but, looking at the qualities it would seem to be harder but have similar characteristics when machining. I'll see if I can get some to do a proper comparison. When I turned the Ebony I realised why it is used for piano keys because it will take a lot of wear. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@violetsands]

Do you make mechanical pencils? If you do how much would one cost to buy? I would be really interested in a mechanical pencil. Oops just watched to the end and realised you don't sell them :(

[@baconsoda]

I don't make mechanical pencils but they are available as kits. I will try to get some and see how they turn out. I will do a video so that you know they are ready. I have lots of other work to do first though so it could be a couple of months.

[@violetsands]

wow thank you - that is really nice of you to do this.

[@AllotmentDiggers]

Brendan them pens look the dogs bollox bespoke pens are not cheep.......Well Done M8y

[@bmacwoodturning2035]

Thanks Mark, I like making these and still get the same thrill from seeing one finished as I did the first time. Best Wishes, Brendan.

[@Robbiethewoodturner]

Beautiful pens brendan top class work. The name 'Wych' actually means pliant,and pliant means easily bent somthing to do with bow and basket making Brendan check out woodturner john lucas great inspiration on hand held mirrors:) Best of luck Robbie

[@baconsoda]

Thanks Robbie and thanks for the information, I love details like that so I'll look very knowledgeable now when I'm talking about those Wych Elm pens. I'll take a look at John Lucas before I go to bed. I'm thinking this could be a long night. Best Wishes, Brendan.