"Feathers" Tell me how........

[daveeisler]

I have been thru this entire site looking for info on "How to" make a feathered pen, I see some amazing ones here, I have asked Keith and Steve and they helped, but I feel like I imposing on them to learn how, I have made some amazing pens over the years, but this has stumped me, I must  have some mental block I guess. So please point me in the right direction. Thanks all. Dave

[DCBluesman]

If I knew how to make "feathers", I'd be wealthy instead of just incredibly handsome! 

[Chinnomotto]

Ya, me too. I have never made a pen, but the Feather technique intregues me

In fact any of these pot churning and metal insertion techniques , I find them facinating

Now If I can make a massive pot, I can addapt it to the lathe, and turn puzzles with it

So, who is willing to do a tutorial??, Come on Handsomes

[Skiprat]

No imposition at all Dave. Feathers are actually fairly easy to do. Easiest method is on a table saw. Some prefer a chop saw.
I believe that there only two variants of 'feathered' blanks. Completely random or indexed.
I prefer indexed.
The simplest indexed method is by using the four sides of the square blank.

Set your table saw with the blade equal or lower than half the thickness of the blank. You'll soon see why and then understand how to overcome that problem it makes.
Set your mitre gauge at an angle. I think the steeper the better. But not less than 45 deg. You will be amazed at just how much your design will shrink when turned!!!!!!
It will help if you knock up a jig to attach to the mitre gauge. The jig needs to hold the blank at the chosen angle AND have some sort of stop to butt up to the end of the blank.

Now simply pass the blank over the top of the blade. You now have your first angled slot. The width of this slot is of course the 'kerf'
Fill this slot with your chosen material. You can use a single piece or more likely a lamination of two or three thinner pieces. The main point is that you want nice slip fit. Glue it up. Trim the sides of the blank to make it square again if needed.
Back to the table saw for subsequent cuts.

When you have done all four sides, you have then made a basic 'feathered' blank.
By varying the position of the stop on the mitre, you can keep adding more and more feathers.
The next stage in the learning curve is swing the mitre around to the opposite angle to make cuts that will give a truer 'feathered' look.

Once you've mastered this 4 sided method, you can make fancier jigs to make multiple sided blanks.
I think that more than four cuts around the same part of the blank look ugly unless your blade kerf is very thin. But that is just me.

Just a word of warning!!!!!!! There are dozens and dozens of pics of peoples 'jigs' esp on IAP. Some of these are scary!!!! and are just serious accidents waiting to happen.  Be careful.

Have fun

[Chinnomotto]

Oh No , not you again

Interesting, have you got pics to follow

Dumb Malaysian dentist have trouble reading English

Picture tells a thousand words

Thanks,,,I think

[Trooper]

And I thought us Puzzlenuts were mad!!!!!  I wonder how many nine fingered pen guys are out there with great looking feathered pens in their showcases.  I'd also be interested in seeing pics of the jig/s.   

[daveeisler]

Steven, you are way to modest of a man, and I think I got it now, I was trying to use my band saw and I had a wobble issue, this will surely go away with the table saw, Is this picture below a good example of feathering, I want to be sure I am using the correct terminology, but your instruction does make sense that I am . Thanks to you and to Eagle Forum. I hope to get one to post soon, Dave

 I tried to copy and paste, but could not , it was to be the Green Resin and metal inlay.

[Canuck]

Hi Dave, I'd really like to see that pic...use the insert image button, above this box it's the second button on bottom row

[daveeisler]

ok here you go.
this is all it will allow me to do?

[Canuck]

Dave, do you have the pic on in your computer files?  If so click on 'Additional Options...' below this box, then you can post the pic directly...

[daveeisler]

ok, and I thought I was pretty good at computer stuff. Also and most important is, I did not ask Steve for his ok, so please don't be upset with me for sharing your amazing and inspiring work.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Canuck]

Oh...okay, now I get what you were trying to display, I'm a little slow   Hope to see a pic of yours soon

[lynn p]

Dave for a first try I think you did an excellent job.   Please keep up the good work and continue to show it. These people are willing to help all you need to do is ask.

[daveeisler]

Lynn, No No No, it's not mine, it belongs to Steve Jackson, but it may soon be one I will make, Steve has be amazing in helping me and all of us have a clear understanding on how to feather, but it's good you like it, I do too.

[daveeisler]

Steven, let's say I make a single pass at 30 degrees and I insert my material, trim it up now I flip it to side 2 , do I make the next 30 degree cut at the same exact location on the blank, then go to side 3 and 4 and repeat all above, or are the cut's staggered. Thanks Dave.