Changes

Pro Tips: When the drill emerges from the end grain, it can tear out wood. Make sure the blank is long enough so that the pen tube can be inserted in the hole without contacting any part of the hole with tear out. Masking tape placed over the end grain can help reduce tear out. Place tape on the drill bit so one knows how far to drill into the blank. Also, keep in mind that this is an inexpensive lathe with poor runout, so some difficulty drilling is expected.

Pro Tips: When the drill emerges from the end grain, it can tear out wood. Make sure the blank is long enough so that the pen tube can be inserted in the hole without contacting any part of the hole with tear out. Masking tape placed over the end grain can help reduce tear out. Place tape on the drill bit so one knows how far to drill into the blank. Also, keep in mind that this is an inexpensive lathe with poor runout, so some difficulty drilling is expected.

== Gluing the Tube and Trimming the Blank ==

== Gluing the Tube ==

[[File:PenTubeInsertion.jpeg|thumb]]Once the blank is drilled, the next step is to glue the metal pen tube inside the hole. Make sure the tube fits without too much force, and that it can be positioned so that excess wood extends beyond both metal ends. If tear out has occurred, take care in positioning the tube so that the area of torn out grain does not contact the tube itself, if possible. Either 2-part epoxy or CA glue can be used. Sand the outside of the tube if it is not rough already from the factory. Cover with a thin layer of glue. Use the conical insertion tube (stored in the Pen Tools box) to inert the tube into position inside the blank, and let the tube dry.

[[File:PenTubeInsertion.jpeg|thumb]]Once the blank is drilled, the next step is to glue the metal pen tube inside the hole. Make sure the tube fits without too much force, and that it can be positioned so that excess wood extends beyond both metal ends. If tear out has occurred, take care in positioning the tube so that the area of torn out grain does not contact the tube itself, if possible. Either 2-part epoxy or CA glue can be used. Sand the outside of the tube if it is not rough already from the factory. Cover with a thin layer of glue. Use the conical insertion tube (stored in the Pen Tools box) to inert the tube into position inside the blank, and let the tube dry.