I am bummed out this afternoon, but I have learned some new things.
That is a good thing. I have a good friend that is retiring so I
thought I would make him something. A screwdriver to do those house
hold chores and a money pen. You know the ground up money in a acrylic
blank to write all those investment checks. I got one of those screw
driver kits from Rocklers and the article in Wood magazine with the
template and some scrap wood I had. I gave it a go and used wipe on
poly for a finish. I am a hobbyist type turner, that likes playing at
it more than turning out allot of work. It did not turn out too bad.
Big problem, I will put some CA on the insert so it is tight. Did not
drive it in fast enough and the insert is proud of the end. Also I put
on the farrel backwards. With the bevel facing the handle not the screw
driver tip. Ok, lets do the one for production. I got another kit and
a piece of coca bolo that was covered in wax. Well that will turn off.
First lesson, I should have realized the wood is still wet inside.
The clue was the farrel was in the right direction but was loose. A
little glue will fix that. Turned the handle and used a walnut oil
finish. Several coats. Today I buffed it and it looked good. I am
moments away from being done. I use a little epoxy for the insert as it
has more open time. I insert the insert and drive it in with a mallet.
I am moments away from learning another lesson. What happens when
wood dries?? It shrinks that is why the farrel was loose, but what
happens to the hole for the insert???. My guess it gets smaller. Did I
think to run the drill bit through it again. NO!! Instead I split that
beautiful piece of coca bolo. The only good thing is I used a chisel
and cut out the insert so I could clean it with some solvent. I have
the parts for another screw driver. Now back to Rocklers for another
piece of wood. I wonder how I can muck up the pen. Maybe I should turn
on my Xbox 360 and play some video games and leave the turning for
another day. Thanks for listening to my confessions. You guys can turn
your collars around. I do feel much better. Now were was that beer......


Bruce