u/Business_Sky3486

I could use some more advice on making blanks with a drill press. I recently got some Gatsby kits I wanted to try out (27/64 bit size) and I’m having some trouble with drill out the blanks.

The wood is birch - and it seems quite easy to drill but, my drill bit keeps getting stuck while drilling. The quick jig I made to keep it in place seems to be working - but the drill still get stuck about an inch of the way down.

I am not using a brad point drill bit (seems more like a twist)- and I went a little quickly just for the video but I’ve gone quiet slowly other times.

Any advice would be appreciated - eventually I’ll get a Jacob’s chuck but that’s a little further down the line.

I have some pieces of old oak barn wood from the 40s that my family requested I turn into a pen. The photos provided are the turned product - without any changes as well as the before. I am relatively new to pen turning - still working on clean cuts and sanding - but this is a long term project to think through.

What I am wondering is if there is any way to add some craftsmanship and contrast without ruining the character ? My plan currently is to go with a single tube pen kit - roughly 3 inches or so. I could use the advice on any of the following options that might add something to the pen without ruining the character:

- stabilizing the wood with one or two dyes
- adding a small contrasting wood / acrylic segment about a half to a quarter of an inch down the pen blank
- adding a brass inlay (I do not think this would work but wanted to through out the option)

I also wanted to know if anyone had any finishing recommendations ? I typically go with a friction finish and will get some wax eventually to add after the friction finish.