Turning Steve Kondo Gisi Style Pen Blanks

[@earlglover6091]

I have not commented before but want to advise that I have watched every video on pin turning and yours is by for the best. It takes more than skill in turning. Your presentation is the best and you work to keep the blank clean. Every ones pens look good in the video but I am sure I could see the difference lookin at the pen. I have a great shop but did not find out about pen turning while I could walk and work. Thanks for the joy you give me by watching you work.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank your Earl, I really appreciate your comment and I’m happy you chose to comment on my channel. Regards, Bob

[@josephdevine1152]

Those are truly a pair of great blanks. Then turned into a beauty of a pen.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@IBDaddyO]

Love Steves pens and glad to have him as a friend.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Ditto, the pen blanks are great and Steve’s not bad either. Regards, Bob

[@davidclauson5256]

Wow Bob, what a stunning pen. Great job on the turning. The skill level to make those must be off the chart. Thanks for sharing.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you David. Regards, Bob

[@ddaurer]

what a beautiful blank. You could not have chosen a better kit to show it off. Just beautiful.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Dennis. Regards, Bob

[@markduggan3451]

Stunning pen.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Mark. 😃

[@brentnicol6391]

That is one beautiful looking pen. Great job on the making.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Brent. Regards, Bob

[@robevans8555]

That is an incredible looking blank/pen. You did a great job drilling through the center and great turning/finishing as always. Nice how you showed how to recover from the slight mistake. It is a great gift for Sean. I have no doubt we will be seeing you make this blanks yourself shortly considering some of the fantastic segmented blanks you have made before.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Rob, I hope to make similar blanks very soon. Regards, Bob

[@amandabarker7909]

Amazing looking pen, lovely gesture to your friend. Great video.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Amanda. Regards, Bob

[@joeharney3802]

You really do some nice work Bob. I love watching your videos. Lordy, you do have a bunch. I'm learning a lot. Thanks

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Joe, I’m glad my videos are helping you learn. Regards, Bob

[@turnersparadise8368]

Wow, Bob, you have a heart of gold! That was amazing that Sean/Shaun/Shawn (I am a Sean) sent that lathe to you but then you returned it with that pen. That is special for sure. I get down on humanity sometimes but then I see stuff like this and it just renews my hope for all of us.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you, it was the least I could do. Regards, Bob

[@edirneicesario7160]

Beautiful work. I love pens. You are an expert. Congratulations

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@ralphhross]

Great idea to align the cap and nib like you showed us at 13:22 in the video - thanks. That pen blank is a beauty too. I'll have to look up Steve Kondo stuff. Thanks.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Ralph. Regards, Bob

[@harrelsonboys]

Beautiful pen from an amazing blank. Quality stuff. Thanks for the videos.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you John. Regards, Bob

[@glenmckelvey5952]

Very unique and beautiful pen Bob . You won't see another any time soon .

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Glen. Regards, Bob

[@achim6625]

I´m fascinated, Bob, and thinking about starting the hobby. I´m trustful, with your excellent explanation, that followers can do the job (not starting with this difficult blank…). I signed right now your channel, thanks for sharing your skills.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. I’m glad your thinking of pen turning. Know that is it not as difficult as it may look and you will advance fast after turning only a couple pens. Regards, Bob

[@kwstasantwniou243]

Very nice looking blank and pen Bob!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Kwstas, Regards, Bob

[@TheWoodYogi]

That's a beautiful pen Rob :) A great gift for Sean. You are spot on about the community, my channel has only grown out of the support and help from others and I am excited to be having my own 1000 subscriber giveaway. Happy New Year ॐ

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Happy New Year. Regards, Bob

[@derekwilkinson7939]

What a gorgeous pen.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Derek. Regards, Bob

[@JoseRivera-cz3zv]

Awesome job, enjoyed watching your videos, the pen turned out wonderful.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Jose. Regards, Bob

[@terrygrimes5709]

Great looking pen and gift.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Terry. Regards, Bob

[@glenforshaw]

Great pen Bob.very well done.best regards from Blighty.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Glen. Regards, Bob

[@IBDaddyO]

Looks good Bob! Great vid as well. Mark

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Mark. Regards, Bob

[@brynphipps8374]

Wow bob that's an amazing pen 😊

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@barryfields2964]

Rob I’m pretty sure you could make a blank like that. I really enjoy your videos of you making blanks, I really wish you would do more videos of blank making

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Barry. Regards, Bob

[@thomaslofquist1906]

Looks great. I'm just starting to get better by watching your educational vidz

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Thomas. Regards, Bob

[@charlesreicks648]

A very smart looking pen. Thanks

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Charles. Regards, Bob

[@md.moinulislam9467]

MASHAALLAH khub valo video.......

[@RJBWoodTurner]

😃

[@MichaelLawing]

Incredible! Been drooling over the gisi style blanks for a while.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Michael. Regards, Bob

[@edwinleach4013]

Great looking pen. When I'm pressing parts that are threaded together I take a small piece of wood longer (thicker) than the threads and drill a hole that just barely accepts the threaded part. When pressing, if there is a small flange, it protects the threads by placing a spacer between the parts. If there is no flange present I don't think this helps but usually there is a small flange. Keep up the great work! Happy New Year.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Edwin, That’s a great tip. Regards, Bob

[@johnhancock2537]

As always Bob that is a very good looking Penn. I can't seem to find any turning communities in my neck of the woods, it would cool to have people around to learn some new things from and make new friends,but I keep watching your video's and I did see something new to me,the punch on your barrel trimmer is inter changeable ,thanks

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you John. Regards, Bob

[@fouroakscrafts7240]

Great video tutorial! I follow Steve on the Pen Turning FB page. An awesome guy. I would really like to try one of his blanks. They look terrific! Great job.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you, Steve’s blanks are awesome.

[@Blueboy9055]

Extremely nice looking pen bob!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@43sq]

Nice job , I wish I have it a fountain instead

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@John-of5sh]

What a beautiful pen! I did go shopping for one of those blanks. Of the 3 different colors listed 2 are already out of stock :( Hopefully by the time my garage thaws out and I'm able to start turning again they will be back in stock. I have a small laser engraver on the way that I plan on using to "sign" my pens. It would be criminal to use it on something that is already perfect. I can only mirror the comments already made, what a beautiful work of art!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you John. It’s really cool you have a laser on the way. I wish I had one. Regards, Bo

[@skymaker1]

Those blanks look amazing. I'm curious as the woods into it. Other than the acrylic. It looks like teak cherry and some sort of burl

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Here’s what Steve told me: center section is Mahogany outters and ends are big leaf maple the chevrons are Mahogany and Australian Burl. Regards, Bob

[@peterramaekers3037]

very very nice pen. The blue and yellow, is that stained veneer?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I believe it’s called fish paper or vulcanized fiber board. Regards, Bob

[@nigelfrance6077]

Wow that's beautiful think I'm in love with a pen (lol)

[@RJBWoodTurner]

LOL Nigel. Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@DavidWhite]

Bob that is an awesome blank and it made a pen that really pops. Those blanks are on the expensive side. I would really urge you to start drilling the blank on the lathe. I use a centering bit to start, and then work up with drill bit sizes until I reach the required diameter. I have drilled too many blanks on the drill press that have started off dead center on one end and then off a bit on the other. The drill bit has a habit of wandering with the grain of the wood. When the blank itself, is turning. it doesn't happen near as bad. I have had 100% success with this method. Another note: If you have ever seen a drill bit wobble while drilling on a drill press, This causes the hole of the tube on one end to have a gap. Also doesn't happen as much with the lathe method. Great video

[@nicko5945]

Dave White I know he wasn’t drill them on his lathe when he has his central machinery lathe because the tailstock has too much play. I have the same lathe and can confirm it’s very difficult to get it straight. Not sure if it’s the same story on his turncrafter lathe.

[@turnersparadise8368]

When he was drilling I noticed what appeared to be shaking on his vice. I think it was just the camera tripod rocking but I fully agree with you. Yet...Each to their own. We all have our little systems.

[@DavidWhite]

There should be no problem with the Turncrafter lathe. It is a very good lathe for the money.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I believe I had the leg of the tripod against the press base. That may have cause the vibration. Regards, Bob

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Hello Nick, The turn Crafter does a much better job that the old HF. I’m loving this lathe. Regards, Bob

[@valborchardt3596]

Thank you Bob, what a great looking pen, even though you made a mistake in the beginning, my mom always said you learn by your mistakes, take care

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Val. Regard, Bob

[@Hoosierchef70]

Stunning pen Bob. ~Scott

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Scott. Regards, Bob

[@robertevans6481]

That is one sweet pen...looks amazing.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Robert. Regards, Bob

[@bmwrider1]

Hey Bob love your video as always. Eddie

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Eddie. Regards, Bob

[@gardeningdianne]

Great work Bob, I love the pen blanks that Steve makes. Did you manage to learn how to make the Gisi blanks?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Dave, Unfortunately I was not able to attend the gathering this year. I will take Steve’s class sometime in 2019. Regards, Bob

[@SilentSoundGuy]

I made the exact same mistake the first time I turned a Jr. Gent. The body is counter intuitive. Great looking pen. I will second the suggestion to start drilling on the lathe. It’s practically fool proof.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@kennyosborne4341]

Fantastic

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Kenny. Regards, Bob

[@troymyers5093]

I could have missed it but have you done a video on your buffing setup?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I’ve only done a YT Live, it’s kind of long but you can slit through it. Acrylic Pen Buffing System Q&A kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHfOgZlraretb5Y Regards, Bob

[@troymyers5093]

Cool, thanks

[@sparkeyjones6261]

I don't know how I got here. But, found it highly interesting. Although, whenever you used that press, I felt squeamish watching it glide around on that slick surface. Wouldn't it be easier if you had it mounted somewhere? ;)

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@miketurner3334]

Amazing pen

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. Regards, Bob

[@staushg69]

Great looking pen. I don't know if you know, but Mark Gisi made a couple DVDs on his technique of how he makes his blanks "The Gisi segmenting technique" parts 1 and 2 you might want to check out.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you, I’ll look for them. Regards, Bob

[@129silverwings]

Hello Bob, awesome job on this pen, it is beautiful. I do have a question for you ... I assume the pen press you used in this video is your favorite compared to the one you made the drop in block adjustments, but my question is why don't you mount the press to the table? it seems to me that it would be easier to press a pen if you didn't have to chase the press around the table.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Hello Donald, I don’t have a lot of working space in the shop and if I mount it, I’ll have less. Plus I like to assemble in different locations so the videos don’t all look exactly the same. Regards, Bob

[@masterchiefgary12]

Nice pen Bob!!! I looked for Steve on Facebook and there are a lot of Steve Kondo's off Facebook and I was not able to find him... Any advice?? Nice work on the pen!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Search Southeast Pen Gathering. He’s heading it up and Posts in the group daily. Regards, Bob

[@menglor]

its been suggested many to actually CA the inside of the holes before putting the tubs in, so you can get some extra holding power before gluing in the tubs on "expensive" blanks.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Stephen. I’ve been doing that more and more lately. Regards, Bob

[@stevenlee9994]

Great video! Thanks for sharing, I always learn something new. What are those pliers called and where did you buy them? Thanks again!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

www.pennstateind.com part number: PKDISGRIP. Locking Soft-Grip Pliers. Regards, Bob

[@Michaelsmith1952]

WO W! Nuff said!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Mike. Regards, Bob

[@acemaker2002]

Nice pen. I am not sure if this is something new for 2018, but I had to watch a 90 second advertisement before the video started.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Dang! I can’t believe there making the commercials that long.

[@JamesGarwood]

I need those pliers!

[@RJBWoodTurner]

There awesome! Regards, Bob

[@ryanmaulanaqp3562]

Yeaah 🙏👍👍🙏

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you Ryan. Regards, Bob

[@williamdonnelly8783]

Beautiful pen but looks expensive, could you give me an idea of the cost, and how much would you sell it for as all the pens I make I sell for Cancer Charity's.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Hello William, I’m not sure what Steve sells his blanks for I believe they and the Jr. Gent pen kit are both sold at www.turnerswarehouse.com. Regards, Bob

[@CrossCutCreations]

That pen is amazing, Bob! Is there a similar/equivalent kit to the Jr. Gent? I recently got bushings for the Cigar, Navigator, and Metro rollerball from Woodcraft for Christmas and wondered if any of those kits assembled similarly to the Jr. Gent. I'm terrified to turn a pen with different drill bits, but I was also terrified to turn Wall Street II and Monarch kits and got over that. Haha! Thanks again for the awesome content! -Robert

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I’m not really sure because this is my first experience with them but I know they are not the same as the Navigator. Regards, Bob

[@brianmiller2825]

I know the jr gent uses the same bushings as other kits. They have a whole jr series of pens, also the Arron kits, and panda kits all use the same bushings

[@edwinleach4013]

In my last post I forgot to mention that this process protects the very tip of the threads that are often fragile and can be ruined by direct pressure. Hope this helps. I learned this the hard way.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

It does, thank you again.

[@peterhkoller]

Hi Rob, hope you are keeping well? Any reason why you don't post any videos lately.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Hello Peter, I have been very busy with my day job and haven’t had any shop time. Regards, Bob

[@danvalleskey]

With just your big gouge?!? I use a skew for the last few passes, for the nice finish. But yes, I get catches sometimes.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I use a skew occasionally, if the gouge is really sharp, I just go with it.

[@phsyckomantis]

I dont know if i asked you this before....but I'm wondering if you sell this pens on a website?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I’m working on putting together a website for doing that. It’s getting close. Regards, Bob

[@lawrenceburckhard3169]

If you don’t know about it, there’s an amazing site that sells both of those kits (not to direct away from chad or Steve) and a lot of other really cool items relating to pens

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Thank you. I try to spread my purchases around to support as many people as I can. Regards, Bob

[@jpjp9111]

What is a ca glue? Is it a special pen glue?

[@RJBWoodTurner]

C/A is CyanoAcrylate. It’s a refined super glue thar comes in different viscosities and is use in pen finishing. Regards, Bob

[@jpjp9111]

RJBWoodTurner Super glue. Thank you.

[@joelnickerson6739]

When you learn how to make those, Please pass that along in a video. Thanks Bob.

[@RJBWoodTurner]

Will do, I really want to learn the technique. Regards, Bob

[@bobbender5834]

I need some of these blanks or better yet learn how to make them

[@RJBWoodTurner]

I agree, I want to learn myself. Regards, Bob